The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-07
THE LEAGUE DISCOURAGED.
The clustering Reform Movement of the
Liquor League "Dies A-Bornin'."
Squire Tebleman Dismisses the Case Against
Police Commissioner Murphy, with Some
Comments Discouraging to the League

The Liquor League seems to have been dis
heartened over the result of its prosecutions last
week for the violation of the Sunday law, for
yesterday there were no affidayits filed. The
executive committee appointed 10 look after the
enforcement of the law held meeting yester-
day morning, at which were present w. b.
Walls, the law partner of Bernhamer. The re-
ports from the spoilers sent out on Sunday were
not of the most encouraging nature. There was
bat little information obtained on which prose
BUTTONS could be instituted, and it was the opin-
ion of the committee. as well as of Mr. Walls,
that it would be advisable to not attempt to do
anything. Some Of the members of the commit
tee insisted that the prosecutions should be kept
up, bu. definite conclusion was reached at
the time of adjournment Mr.. Walls
eaid to a Journal reporter last even
ing: I'VE have done nothing at all today,
and we haven't determined yet whether
there will be auy more afidavits made out or
not. Mr.. Bernhamer has been so busy all day
that he hasn't given the matter any attention.
] met with the committee from the League, but
we couldn't agree on what course to pursue and
there the matter rests. In all we have informa-
tion against not more than ten or twelve persons
who violated the law on Sunday, and they are
mostly cigar sellers and drug men. IL we do
anything more, we only propose to file against
persons who we know violating the law.
Only afidavits will be fled where public senti
ment will sustain us"
There are no prosecutions pending before the
justices, the case against the Cincinnati EnQuir-
er agent having been dismissed. The justices
were as anxious as the reporters. yesterday aft
ernoon. TO know what course the League intend
ed to pursue, and all expressed the hope that the
backbone of the movement had been broken.
They are evidently sincere in their desire to have
nothing more to do with the prosecutions, and
one or two of them did not hesitate to say that
there would be no convictions in their court un-
less the cases, if any are brought up, are differ
ent from those of last week.
Squire Feibleman, in rendering his decision in
the case against Murphy, Hibben g. Co., in
Cured the ill-will of the League and its attor
neys, who were loud in their abuse of him yes
terday. The case was tried last week. The
charge against Mr. Murphy was that he had OBJ
structed the sidewalks by setting an ash-box
thereon. The prosecution was by the Liquor
League agents. The defense proved that there
was no other place Of deposit, it was unsafe
TO store them in the cellar within the build
ing In his decision, the Squire held that the
prosecution had failed to prove the charge under
the section OF the law applicable to densely pop
plated communities. In closing his decision, he
said: but, aside from the merits of the cause,
the evidence develops state of facts showing
the animus of the prosecution TO be conceived in
bad faith and from reasons wholly personal. and
not because of an honest endeavOr to enforce the
statute. With such class of prosecutions this
court has no sympathy, and II will at all times
discourage this kind of litigation, as courts are
not organized for any such purpose" Other
justices all expressed their concurrence in Squire
Ieiblemans rebuke to the League.
In the Criminal Court, yesterday, Adam Remi-
ter and Nicholas Harbaugh saloon keepers, were
eaeh fined So with COSTS fer violating the liquor
laws. Renter sold on Sunday and Harbaugh
after ii o'clock.
The Indianapolis correspondent of the Cincin-
pati Commercial Gazette, in a letter to that pa
per regarding the Liquor Leagues movements,
says: Respectable lawyers would have moth
ing to 90 with the business, they were forced
to employ two attorneys who have repeatedly
been under trial for crimes or msdemeanors.
ghey were by nature and education fitting tools
for the dirty work in which they were to engage
All this week the work of bringing petty prose
gutions has been going on. Among others Sc
lected for a victim was the agent of the Com
Inercial Gazette. The avowed object was to so
annoy the paper that it would turn against the
people and condemn the efforts to enforce the
liquor law, Threats were made to also arrest
the employees of the local papers. The journal
at cast defiance in the face
Of the League, and announced its intentions to
carry the war into Africa, to speak. Mr..
New, the proprietor of the Journal said to me
that if any of his employees arrested he
would not only defend them in court, but would,
IN their name, Immediately commence proceed
ings for damages against the officers of the
lcious prosecution. He evidently means bust
ness. The League is piliDg up wrath against the
day of wrath and the day of reckoning will not
dong be delayed. Instead OK building up senti-
ment in their favor they increasing and en-
oittcring that against them. Many mon who
nave been ardent Democrats are openly declar-
Eng that unless their party cuts loose from it's al
1anee with the League they have voted their last
Democratic ticket Were election to take
place now the Republican majority in this city
would run up into the thousands
Superintendent Travis's Course Approved
The indianapolis Ministerial Association met,
yesterday morning, at DR.. Jenckes'n residence.
There were about thirty present, and they were
given dinner by Mrs. Jenckes and the ladies of
St Pauls Church. The dinner hour was very
pleasant one. Numerous toasts were given, and
the responses were brief and to the point The
matter Of the efficient service being rendered by
acting Police Superintendent Travis and the
force was brought up for consideration and
Messrs Mcleod McNutt, Hunter and others
made speeches warmly approving the action
taken to enforce the liquor law. Messrs Nc.
I4sod, Jeffrey, Mcconnell. Bradley and Gantz
were chosen to draft resolutions expressive of
the feeling of the association toward the Com
missoners, superintendent and force in the
course they are now pursuing.
The Huston Republican Club
The organization of the Huston Republican
Club, composed Of eolored voters was COM
pletod at a. largely attended meeting held last
,,iOht Parmanant offcAr, Vvara alaotad &c Col