The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-09-22
THE LIQUOR LORDS, BOYCOTT.

In recent trial at Cincinnati saloon keeper
was found guilty of violating the twelve
o'clock law. That the evidence of his guilt
was conclusive no one pretends to dispute, yet
one of the Jurors, Mr.. Herman Bellstedt a
musician, has received the following impudent
and Infamous threat:
''Mr Herman Bellstedt: 1t was resolved
in the last session of the Saloon keepers So
ciety to adopt retaliation measures against all
those business men who indeed cultivate COM
mercial relations with the saloon keepers. but,
whenever an opportunity presents itself, are
inimical to their justly claimed interests.
Gas musician, whose occupation largely
depends upon the patronage of saloon-keepers,
concert hall and hilltop proprietors, you
should not only have guarded their interests
but those of your colleagues
'.As musician, you know very well that
no ball can be given in winter if the police
hour is strictly enforced, as the ball festivities
do not reach their highest point until after II
o'clock, and frequently do not close before 3,
5 or o'clock in the morning.
'You also know that even if these festivi-
ties are continued within closed doors after
midnight, this, in the nature of the case, is
just as illegal proceeding.
1ACCOIOIuSIy, uOG Ouly are tuOuSduuS OIL our
fellow citizens thus deprived of the right of
amusing themselves at a certain hour, but the
proprietors OF such places of amusement and
with them your fellow professionals, the mu-
sicians, are struck by the same calamity.
"No society will give balls and engage mu
sicians as long as the festivity may continue
only three hours, from 9 to II o'clock
''And you, as a musician, gave your vote
for the confirmation of the police hour, in
stead OF putting an end to this condition of
affairs, wholly unworthy OF Cincinnati, by a
simple, manly No.
1.-The Volksbatt wrote at the time: "A
juryman, who is convinced of the guilt of the
accused, in trespassing against certain law,
does nevertheless not commit grievous sin
by declaring him innocent, if he considers
the law i'll question injurious, unjust or un
popular
''This question in the Dunn case was before
your conscience and no other, and at the
same time it was test case for the rejection
or preservation Of the police hour.
"But.you did not possess the courage to de-
fend the interests OF your association and the
affiliated saloon business.
"Nor did you possess the courage to with
draw from jury for which, as you have
proven, you were not competent.
CATER all this, the Cincinnati Saloon
keepers Society has come to the conclusion
that it owes you special thanks for the con-
tinued existence of that disgraceful twelve
o'clock law.
"But, with the same measure which you
have melted out to us saloon-keepers, we shall
mete out to you and your brethren of like
sentiment.
eve premise, of course, that in the interest
OF the twelve o'clock law you will not take any
engagements for you and your band whereby
you might come into conflict with the law in
question; but we nevertheless deem it proper
to withdraw from you, once and forever
every opportunity of the same, and in accord
ance with our determination. we will instruct
all societies, corporations and organizations
concert and amusement proprietors.
''You may, therefore, all the more easily
follow your we'll known passion OF disturbing
your fellow citizens with 365 free serenades in
one year."
This is the Legitimate outcome of this cow
ardly business. It will be observed that no
claim is made that the charge was not sus-
tanned by indisputable evidence, but because
this man did not violate his oath and vote to
discharge the accused, he is to suffer social
and business harm. And the same "official"
threat is conveyed to the remaining jurors, all
of whom, like Mr. Bellstedt, with one ex-
ception, are Germans.
The Cincinnati "Saloon-keepers' Society,""
like the Liquor League of Indianapolis, is an
organization for the defeat of law, not by law
full methods, but by attempting to coerce
Jurors, judges and executive officers into per-
jury and thus strangle the law in the very
courts of justice. What this means any one
may understand. The business of obtaining
an expression of popular will and formulating
laws is to become a mere farce where they in
terfere with any ones notions or wishes. The
laws of Ohio permit saloons to keep open un-
til midnight. This does not satisfy the saloon
men; bat instead of securing change in the
manner prescribed by law, to which all other
classes cheerfully submit, they propose to cut
across to their desires by killing such laws as
they do not care to observe The twelve
o'clock law does not prevent any mau or col
lection OF men enjoying themselves at any
hour, night or day. They may commence
dancing at 6 o'clock in the evening and
keep it up until the next morning or for a
week, if they choose. But because these sa-
loon men are forbidden to turn these balls
into drunken orgies, lasting all night, they
propose to boycott any man who in answer to
their command will not perjure himself and
pronounce men innocent who are guilty. 1t
= the duty of every man to put his foot upon
this Infamous business Of boycotting. En-
couraged, it will proceed to greater demands
and commit greater outrages.
THE Cincinnati Volksblatt is the organ of
the Saloon-keeper's Society. It says: ga
H.. - L