The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1873-03-20
TEMPERANCE LEGlSLA IN
INDIANA.

Intelligent supporters OF either side of the
Temperance question in the various forms
under which, in different place., it is agi-
tated, will readily concede the fairness AZ
well IA the importance Of at least trying to
comprehend their opponents. Men will
differ in opinion about any subject which
directly affects the interest of numbers, and
in republican or democratic community,
perhaps the most eiiectual safeguard against
results sentimentally disasreeable and prac-
tica!ly injurious. is the enlightened candor
which il the proper fruit OF mutual under
standing.
The Legislature OF the State Of Indiana
has lately gone further than any other
Western State in the severity and compre-
hensive import of its enaclmenis for the
prevention of drunkenness II has adopted
the well known Ohio statute, with some
notifications aud additions, however, which
do not mitigate its s;ringency. BY one pro.
vision of the Indiana law, 10 minor or per-
son under age may be employed in either a
brewery or distilery. Hence in future any
one who desires to learn either of those arts
must wait for his majority before entering
upon his apprenticeship.
If any proof had been wanting Of the in
tensiiy OF feeling in multifudes of the people.
excited by the cases which haze prompted
this legislation in Indiana, it was furnished
by the scene in the State House when debate
was held and the final vote was taken on the
statute referred to. People not belonging to
the Legislature, many Of them women, it
seems, made their way into the Legislative
filled the galleries ard every avail
able space, and gave the mos, lively demon
STATIONS of,he interest they took in the SUI
ject.
In consequence OF this enactment by the
Indiana Legislature, a convention of brewers
and dealers in wine and spirits assembled
few days sgo in indianapolis for the purpose
Of organizing their forces against the new
law. Its cons,itutionalitys il to be tried by |
an appeal to the courts, and funds we're pro-
viJed and an arrangement made for secur.
ing decision Of the question.
In the evening Of the day of the conven-
ion all the German societies of indianapolis /
oined in a demonstration OF hostility to
he law with banners, torches, Transporter
les, etc. The procession was a mile long,
md numerous bands of music gave ANNA.
ion TO the display. Enthusiastic honors
we're showered upon Senator Thompson who
lad opposed the new law, and an address
vas presented to him, in which the Ger
nars temporarily state the reasons of
heir disgust with the statute. In sub
lance they declare that its Odious provisions,
n connection with it, exceptional severity
nd cruelty, affect Germans in the mos,
'ainful manner. The law lessons the value
# and destroys the property Of hundreds of
housands. IL seeks to brand the customs
nd habits of their social life as worthy OF
bhorrence and unlawful, while they the
are fully convinced thst they are
either the one nor the other. The law in
Question, while piOfessedly intended to pre-.
ent drunkenness. in fact places a premium
pom the vice, as it transfers its shame and
from the drunkards to the
houlders OF those who make and sell the
Kinks consumed. The law, while pretend
ng to promote moderation and sobrie:y, in
ealiiy forbids the general enjoyment of
eer, wine and other light drinks, to all ex-
ept the rich, who can afford to keep in
heir cellars whatever their hearts desire. II
he Law shall be carried out in all its pro-
isions. every other Law should he, il i'm
oses upon one-haif of the population the
MY Of being spies upon the other half,
lille for the one-half il holds out cons,an,
emptation to transgression of the Law. And
nally, the Germans state that the new Law
ill seriously interfere with, if not wholly
Interrupt, the immigration Of their compa.
riots into the State, and in the course of
inc will certainly lead to the emigration of .
great portion of the German population
,om the State.