The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-05
THE HIGH LICENSE ISSUE.

"Hon." Sim Coy owns the Democratic
party, as represented in the City Council,
with the single honorable exception Of Mr..
Charles E. Haugh, Of the Tenth ward The
Democratic 'boss" also seems to be able to
influence some Republican members or, at
least, there are some who vote as he would
have them, and directly against the interests
of the reputable property holders and tax
payers of the city and of all citizens
who feel the justice and propriety
of taxing the saloons as heavily as the law
will permit, to the end that they shall con-
tribute as much as may be toward defraying
the heavy criminal expenses they directly
cause. The one-hundred- dollar license ordi-
nance was defeated in the City Council last
night, by a vote of twelve to ten, it being
stricken from the files. The opposition vote
was solidly Democratic, with the exception
of Messrs. Benjamin and Cowie, and the
negative solidly Republican, with the excep-
ton of Mr.. Haugh. Messrs. Rees and Spahr,
Republicans, and Mr. Moran, Democrat were
absent. The vote was taken under the whip
and spur of the saloon element which was out
in full force sSim" Coy boastfully proposing
to show the list before the ballot was reached,
and gleefully asserting eve have the thing
fixed"
The issue is joined. Another ordinance will
be introduced at the next meeting, and the
fight will be kept up in the Council until it
shall be and can be appealed to the people.
Mr.. Cowie has been absent from his
post of duty for months, but he
managed to find time to come to
the Council last night, and vote
in the interests of the saloons against the peo-
pie. Mr.. Rees was absent from the city on
business, which may, probably, not be the
case when the vote shall be taken on another
ordinance, and Mr.. Srahr will not be away
on patriotic duty at Gettysburg He
has already proclaimed himself in favor
of the increased tax, and will, of
course, be glad to embrace the opportunity to
vote for new ordinance Let there be no
time lost nor effort abated. The Democratic
party, reinforced by two Republicans, has
thrown down the challenge; it is contest of
the saloons against the people. 1t is a ques-
ton of taxation; it is question
involving the right and ability of the
city to levy tax on the liquor saloons that
shall, in some small degree, relieve the bur-
dens that press upon other property, that is
now taxed out of existence to pay the expenses
created by lawless and law-defying traffic.
1t is question whether the people or
the saloon power shall control indianapolis.
We accept the issue. The Republicans cf the
Council can rely upon the strongest and most
earnest support of the people. Let them con-
tinue the struggle until the people in
the November election can return Coun-
Gil pledged to the Increased tax
No Republican candidate for Council need
expect support unless pledged to the one
hundred-dolar tax; and after Indianapolis
shall have led the fight to victory in Novem-
Der, the people Of the State will see to it
that the next Legislature is elected on tho
basis of high-license law. This is the ISSUE
and we call upon the people of indianapolis to
meet it. Shall ''Sim" Coy and his saloon
allies be permitted to fasten themselves upon
the city of Indianapolis The place and time
to resist them is here and now.