The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-04
A BAD DAY FOR THE LEAGUE.
The New Reform Movement Meets with
Encouragement in Dogberry Row.
Two of the Defendants in the Prosecutions
for Violating the Sunday Law Acquitted
by Justices of the Peace.

It was apparent in Dogberry Row, yesterday,
that the Liquor Leagues movement is weaken
ing. The majority of the cases, so far, have
come before Squire Walpole. and yesterday he
said that he didn't want and would not take any
more cases unless they were thrust upon him.
The other justices, without exception, talked the
same way, and If they act as they talk the over
Jealous Liquor League will be without chan
mel through which to push their ideas of reform.
Squire Feibleman is becoming Disguised with
the whole business. Yesterday morning Ru-
dolpn Douetcher butcher, doing bust
ness at No. At South Delaware street, was
brought before him, on the charge of having
sold beef last Sunday. The Justice inquired
who made the affidavit in the case When he
was informed that the saloon loafer, Charles
Fritz. had signed it, the Justice asked if Fritz
was present when the alleged violation of the
law occurred, and was told he was not The
Justice refused to try the case until Fritz was
brought into court, and said that then ne would
acquit Mr.. Douercher. This was setback the
Bernhamer gang were not expecting, and Mr..
Douetcher was allowed to return to his business.
Squire Febleman had personally made inquiry
regarding the methods of Fritz, who he ascer
tanned, slips around as spy reads the signs of
men whose doors he finds open, makes out the
afidavits on this and hearsay information, and
then, when the cases are called, does not appear
Feiblsman that he simply passed Douetcher's
place on Sunday, saw it open, and took his name
from the sign. When the Douetcher case had
been thus summarily disposed of the case
against Murphy, Hibben & Co. was called
up. Each of the members of the firm was
prosecuted on separate af1davits The case
against John W. Murphy was called first Mr.
Murphy was defended by Merrill Moores, and
the prosecution was by Bernhamer and his part
ner, Walls. The charge was that Mr.. Murphy
allowed boxes to obstruct the sidewalk on Geor-
gia street, near his store, and the defense was
that the firm found it necessary to use the side,
walk in carrying on their business, and that the
passage of the public was never impeded by the
boxes A number of witnesses were examined
and the argument occupied the greater part of
the afternoon Squire Feib!eman took the case
under advisement, and will give his decision
this morning.
Early in the afternoon Sergeant Fredericks
walked into Squire Johnsons justice booth at
the western, sundown end of Dogberry Row
to answer to the charge of pursuing his usual
vocation on Sunday. The affidavit charging the
Sergeant with this offense was sworn out by the
man Fritz, who did not make his appearance in
the courtroom. About twenty people gathered
in the room, and the little inkstand stove, piled
full of COAL kept the tobacco spit which
showered upon 1t sizzling away in the cheeriest
manner imaginable. The trial was set for
pear at that hour. These two citizens are
the lawyers employed by tho Liquor
League to attend to the sanctity of
the Sabbath. Fritz Is their evangelist. When
Walls finally came. the Indictment was read,
charging Sergeant Frederick with selling one
cigar, of the value of cents, on Sunday, an of
Tense against the peace and dignity of the State
of Indiana. The able Mr.. Walls read, with great
sonorousness and much up and down infection.
from the law, showing that keepers Of inns, toll
gates and ferrymen may do certain things on
Sunday, but that the law contemplates the con-
dign punishment of malefactors of the class of
Sergeant Frederick. This was the Sergeants
first appearance as a criminal He was one
of the Greedy party that reached the
highest northern point ever made, and placed
the stars and stripes at $50 "a 5" north latitude
three hundred and ninety four miles from the
pole. 1t began to look like a very cold day for
the arctic explorer as the Justice sat with knit
brow and the Liquor League advocate glowered
about him. The witness remembered buying
cigar-a Scent cigar-he thought he bought it
last Sunday, but his memory was treacherous
when it came to identifying the person that sold
it. There was but other witness, and he
knew nothing of the case The Sabbath pre-
serving Mr.. Fritz did not appear. The Squire
didn't think the case made and dismissed the
Sergeant who, gathering his stick, hobbled
down stairs q free man.
Squire Walpole yesterday morning rendered
his decision in the case against Howard the
Commercial Gazette agent, holding that the
prosecution failed to prove any of the allegations
in the warrant In the same court, William A.
Mays, barber pleaded guilty to shaving on
Sunday, and was fined 81 and costs. In speak
ing of the case Squire Walpole said: "Mays
wouldn't have been fined if he had pleaded not
guilty, but when man pleads guilty can't help
but fine him." VIM. Pritchard, the Surgical In
stitute barber, shaved some of the patients in
the institute on Sunday, and was brought before
Squire Walpole. He also pleaded guilty and
was assessed the usual fine.
Bernhamer was not noisy yesterday about
the Leagues intentions as he has BEEN He had
nothing whatever to say about the programme
for Sunday and next week. Even the constables
now say that they will have nothing more to do
with the disreputable business and the League
will have to look for other help in its movement
Several of the 'squires have been asked to swear
in force of twenty extra constabies for Sunday
service, but this they say they will not do.
The cartoon of the Saturday Herald to dav
strikingly illustrates that in the Liberty or
Death fight of the Liquor League. the organiza-
ton has raised the knife which will fall across
us own throat. some or the various phases OF
the movement are also we'll presented, and the
work is quite credtable to the artist, Mr.. Ben
r. Lyman.
Petition for Higher Saloon License
Special to the INDIANAPOLIS Journal.
MADISON, Ind, Dec. 3.-Following is COPY of
a petition numerously signed by citizens of
this city and county, to be presented to the
State Assembly in January:
ri INF
We, citizens and voters of the city of Madison
said State, most respectfully petition your honorable
body to enact, at your ensuing legislative session.
some better laws than those on our statute
hal e. onAlr