Newport Will Vote on Going Dry

That an attempt should be made to vote Newport 'dry' under the new local option law of the state of Washington was decided at a meeting held at the Baptist church Monday evening. After a discussion of the movement it was decided to start petitions calling for an election, and Rev. Moter, J. E. Williams and A. Ray Williams were appointed a committee to circulate the petitions.

It is estimated that there are 210 qualified electors within the incorporated limits of Newport, Washington, and in order to get an election called it will be necessary to secure the signatures of 30 per cent of these voters to the petition. The work of the committee has progressed so far that there can be little doubt that an election will be called for Sept. 7, the same date the county committee has set for the election outside the incorporated towns. When completed the petition will be filed with the city clerk, which must be done by July 7, as the law requires it to be filed 60 days before the date set for the election. The city clerk is then required to call an election. Registration is required the same as for the general elections.

Incorporated towns are a unit by themselves, and the vote of the rest of the county does not affect them in any way. Those who are behind the movement claim that there can be little doubt but that all of the county outside the towns will be voted dry and most of towns will also go their way.

Six counties of Northeastern Washington will have this contest to face this year, Spokane city and county included. The local option people are thoroughly organized and are making a concerted effort to vote this part of the state dry. Advices received from local option workers in Bonner county, Idaho, are to the effect that the movement to force a vote has started there, and that they will be able to bring the matter before the voters within few months. The ladies will have the opportunity of voting on the question in Idaho.