The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-04
Of indicating the outraged law, and bringing
to justice the perpetrators of one Of the bold
est election frauds on record.
THE LAW AND THE LEAGuE.


the weapon they do not cut themselves worse
than they injure others. We respectfully
suggest this view Of the case to the Liquor
League AID its disreputable tools, just now
engaged IA an effort to annoy and wantonly
injure people simply for the purpose of pre-
venting the enforcement Of the provisions OF
special law against saloon liquor
selling. There are two statutes on the
books, one general law applying to general
business, and the other special law passed
for the special and particular purpose of reg
ulating the saloon traffic. There is no more
impudsnt and untenable proposition than that
of the saloon men, that their traffic shall be
recognized as upon the same plane relative to
the good of society that general business is.
A very strong effort has been recently made
by saloon men to '1egitimatize' their traffic;
in other words. to elevate it to the
same status in the eye of the
law and of society as that occupied
by business generally. This is the purpose of
the present movement, and in this willful or
ignorant misconception the present black
mailing operation is carried on by such tools
as Bernhamer and the man Fritz, who are of
course, melted to and paid for their infamous
work by the Liquor League. Mr.. Bernhamer
was the principal figure in the disgraceful
proceedings before the canvassing board, and
it might be well for him to stop and consider
for moment whether he has not gone about
to the end of his tether in this community.
The law now makes, and always has made,
distinction between the saloon traffic and
other business. The liquor law provides, for
instance, number of special regulations in
addition to the one that sales Of liquor shall
not be made on Sunday. Any other business
can keep open for twenty four hours day if
it pleases to do so. as some branches do; but
the saloons are not to sell liquor between the
hours of IL o'clock P. M. and S o'clock A. NJ.
each day. Other business may be transacted
on Christmas, New Years, election
day and Thanksgiving day; saloons may
not sell liquor on those days. Other business
may have as customers minors; the saloons
may not sell liquors to minors. These re-
strictions show that the law and society
regard the saloon traffic as special, hazardous
to the peace and welfare of the community,
and properly amenable to different and
special restrictions than those imposed
upon any other business. 1t is not ''busi.
word. 1t is to escape this penalty that
the Liquor League is now making the
present blind and laundering effort to
drag every other business down to the level it
occupies. In so doing it affronts the intelli-
gence Of the people, flies in the face of ac-
copied legislation for hundreds of years, and
seeks to prostitute the law and courts of
justice to an unwarrantable and impossible
purpose The League has lost whatever sense
and sagacity it may have had. Does it
imagine that this crusade will accomplish the
purpose it has in view? Does it imagine that
the current of legislation and the cur
rent of popular thought will be re-
versed for its benefit The only
thing it is accomplishing is to develop and
arouse public sentiment that will worst it
in the contest it invites, whether before
courts or the bar of public opinion-the court
of last resort. The League will find that
courts will not willingly lend themselves to
carry out its malicious ends; that real courts
of Justice will not allow the law to be twisted
or to be used for the purpose of striking
down all law.
There is one other point we beg to suggest:
The law does not look with favor upon ma
icious suits, and some of the liquor gentle
men who have property, and have made them
selves and are making themselves conspic-
uous in the present raid may find themselves
mulcted in heavy damages Should some
victim of their malignant malice take no
ton to try conclusions with them, the course
of the League will make it quite certain that
the plaintiff in such a case would have the
support of an overwhelming public sentiment
and sympathy. If the liquor-seling law
breakers are half wise, they will conclude to
obey the special regulations imposed for the
control of their traffic, and leave to healthy
public sentiment and to the just administra-
ton of law the regulation of those things in
which they have no particular interest.
THE free-trade Congressman, having arrived
in Washington, are busily engaged in account
ing for their dis fgurement, and in comparing
notes. Mr.. Carlisle, in referring to the vote