Temperance Leagues Launch County-Wide Fight to Make Stevens County Dry

The local option forces of Stevens county are off on the right foot and the greatest campaign in the history of the county has been launched.

Pursuant to the call published by the Colville Local Option League, about 200 delegates from all parts of the county assembled at the Christian church in this city last Sunday afternoon and were called to order by A. E. Yeatch, president of the local organization. Prayer was offered by Rev. Alvin H. Morton, of the M. E. church, after which the secretary took a list of all delegates present, together with the precincts represented.

On motion of G. H. Wilbur the officers of the Colville League were chosen for the Stevens County Local Option League. These officers are as follows: A. E. Yeatch, president; Oscar Kildow, vice president; W. J. Shelton, secretary, and A. D. Foster, treasurer.

The convention was addressed by Rev. W. H. Rogers, of Waverly, who delivered one of the most stirring and dramatic addresses ever heard in Colville.

Short talks were made by the delegates present from different sections of the county, and all are very enthusiastic in the work. Rev. A. H. Morton then took charge of the meeting and secured pledges of $300 to assist the campaign, $150 of which was paid in cash.

In the evening session another stirring address was delivered by Rev. Rogers, and $106 more was added to the sum. As over $100 had been previously raised, the total amount pledged on the first day the law became operative amounted to over $500.

In the afternoon meeting it was decided to get out petitions calling for a special election to be held on Sept. 1 in order to determine whether or not the sale of intoxicating liquors may be permitted in Stevens county. This election will be held in all the towns of the county and also in the rural districts. Thirty per cent of the votes cast at the last general election must be secured before the election can be called.

Blank petitions and instructions have been prepared and mailed to all sections of the county. The time set for the filing of the petition is July 15, thus giving the people a month in which to secure the necessary 30 per cent.

The petitions were started in Colville Tuesday morning and nearly 30 per cent of the voters were secured before night.

Organizers will be sent into every precinct in the county, and anyone desiring a petition may obtain one by writing the president or secretary.

Anyone wishing to donate to the cause may make remittance to A. D. Foster, treasurer, Colville, Wash. As it is desired to raise fully $1000 to be used in the campaign, all friends of the cause are urged to make as liberal donations as possible. Leagues should be organized in every precinct as early as possible. — Statesman-Index.