The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-11-15

Solid Facts on Enforcing the Laws.

Solid Facts on Enforcing the Laws.
TO the Editor N the Indianapolis Journal
Inc Journal, some TWO weeks ago, copied
a short article from the Greencastle Banner
and Mr.. NJ. L. Bundy, in your issue OF the
l4th inst, writes to the same effect, wherein
the temperance people are told to enforce
the present laws. Strong arguments are
needed, therefore l will present facts. Sew
eral years ago a man of this vicinity applied
for license. Thirteen other citizens beside
myself presented a remonstrance, The com"
missioners of our county were unanimous ia
refusing license. Appeal was taken to the
Circuit Court and from thence a change of
venue to an adjoining county whittier we
followed it, but by a whisky jury license was
granted, and we, for daring to exercise our
right OF protest, were condemned to pay all
costs, to the amount of S142 80. Time and
again have we been treated in like manner
until this license law has proved to be but a
broad farce
Illegal sales to minors have been of fire.
quent occurrence. We tried this much
Vaunted law again. At our own individual
expense we employed attorneys only to
find our efforts futile as though our boys
were known to have been drunk, beastly
drunk, yet from inability to get the evil
dence conviction was almost impossible, and
we who tried to enforce the law were the
greatest sufferers. Yet again those who thug
tried to have the law upheld although
OF our most highly respected citizens, were
told through our public press that they
were too lazy to work and too proud to
steal"
Another phase; Not three years since
L was passing saloon where
seeing several boys congregated,
told OF the fact in public Temperance meet.
ing. For this, though | was in i'll health
was assaulted on the public street and so bad
ly beaten | was for some weeks confined to
bed By means of perjuFed testimony was
also indicted for assault said to have been
committed while l was defending myself [
was put to the trouble and expense of trial
and the jury took just one minute to say not
guilty. Our town marshal, for attempting
to preserve order was himself arrested, and
at the expense of the town was defended by
attorneys, he proving himself clear. Again,
last year, this same marshal was by false tes-
nmony, convicted of an assault and
hned $25 and costs, in all
about $40 besides his attorneys fees.
Upon the petition of sixty-tve of our best
citizens and the written recommendations of
our county officials Governor Porter re-
mitted the fine, but the heavy costs the mar
shall must pay for meddling with the saloon
keepers pets.
For being thus active in the temperance
received threatening letters My own prop
erty was fired, and last March letter was
sent from here to the Journal stating | had
been arrested in the act of committing a
burglary. The name of a prominent firm
here was signed and the dispatch was SO
published March q. The journal, not sus-
pechng forgery was tricked They sent un.
of their staff who, after full investigation.
on the morning OF the goth, pub
lished a full and complete Tetraction,
also showing the animus of the forged letter
Complete investigation has brought this for
gerry home to those whose illegal acts our
people haG hitherto opposed. Drunken riots
here are periodical Shooting ARRAYS are
frequent, in none of which can the Derpe.
traitors be punished. Two applications for
license have been published. One OF these
applicants, who can no doubt prove a good
moral character is the same man who wher
the lamented Garfield was assassiuated. made
the remark. The news was too damned
good to be true"
We are not fanatics, but we have tried 10
enforce the law and always inside the law.
yet such is thu state OF facts that when our
witnesses have been duly subpmuaed some
have chosen to brave the danger of being
fined for contempt OF court rather than the
saloon-keeper for telling the truth; yet ours
is law-abiding community. else in seIf-de,
Tense we had long ago, by force OF arms,
claimed that protection which the law has
hitherto denied. Enforce the law" The
people of Indiana will gladly enforce a law
when one is given them WM. WOOSTER.
M0NTEHCMA Ind, Nov. IA.