The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-06-22
THE NEW LIQUOR LAW.
It's Author Replies to a Recent Edi-
tOrial Expression I'm the Journal.


To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
In justice to myself and the Good Citi-
zens' League of Indiana 1 can hardly fail
to notice your editorial of last Monday.
The chief fault with the editorial is that
the writer has evidently misunderstood not
only the article he seeks to criticise, but
also certain existing conditions in this
State. L deprecate the necessity OF law
and order leagues. Good Citizens leagues,
and other organizations OF like character,
just as much as does the Journal, but when
the necessity is so apparent, as We value
the safety of society and the supremacy
OF iaw, it is a fault akin TO crime not to
furnish the requisite means of organiza-
ton. The Journal says: 1t ought not to
be assumed in advance that the Nicholson
law will be attacked or resisted in any
other than a legitimate way. or that those
who are charged with. the enforcement of
the law. and who have been elected by the
people for that purpose, Will TAN IN tneir
duty to such an extent as to require a
special kind of pubic. sentiment and or
ganization to secure its enforcement
Let us see as to the first part. Only last
week it was stated in the news columns
of the journal that only very few of the
saloons of indianapolis were arranging
their places Of business in compliance with
the new law. A statement similar to this
has appeared in different papers repeatedly
Of late. Are the statements true or false?
If true, then what right have the propre-
tors to take it for granted that the law
is unconstitutional? They either suppose
that or else they are determined to openly
violate the law. Now, candidly. does the
Journal believe that the proprietors have a
right to do either thing? As to the second ind
State of Indiana who desires to do his
duty who would not be glad to have
proper support in dealing with lawbreak-
ers. 1t Is not a question now of what
ought to be, but of what is, and where it
is known that there is much persistence on
the part of some in dsobeying law,
and much reluctance on the part of others
to declare for the proper enforcement Of
law. then there is no wonder that the
ifested itself. Have the liquor dealers in
Indiana so conducted themselves in the
past as to warrant the assumption that AL
meekly obey the law in the future? Is 1t
not well known that the lawlessness of
certain of their class has made the new
law absolutely necessary? | do not charge
that all of them have been lawbreakers.
by any means, but enough of them have
been to bring that kind OF odium upon the
we<have 1t asserted daily. almost. in the
papers that the Liquor League has taken
UP the fight against the law that is de-
who have shown little regard for law That
is the evident right OF the league if 1t SO
desires, and especially has it the right to
make the attack in the courts. as l ad-
mitted in the article you criticise.
But there some things in this connec-
ton, TO say the least, that are questionable.
In making the attack the league is open
to the charge of desiring to shield those
of the profession who have disobeyed the
law. If the claim is made that ii is done
for the sake of these they would remove
the safeguards and leave society unpro-
tected from the Others. Possibly 1T would
that would apply to the lawbreakers would
not injure those who do obey the law.
Again. it must be said that the talk. of
places the question beyond one of a mere
friendly contest In the courts. as the Jour
nal would have us believe. did not charge
that the courts were going to be bought up.
1 do not believe they will. I have greater
faith in the judiciary, of the State, and
confidently expect a wise and just decision.
no matter what the decision may be. II was
only question of suspicion as to what is
to be attempted by that $4,000 or $500, 900.
And In saying that make no charges; but
a great a many people are, wondering what is
1 repeat that laws are declared unconstitu-
tional because of the wording of the acts.
and not because so much money is ex-
pended In the case.
The Journal has evidently mistaken the
mission of the Good Citizens League. In
no sense is II test of membership that
must hold certain views on the liquor
traffic. That is only one Of many ques-
tions in which the league Is interested;
and in few communities in the State law
and order leagues have been organized that
have refused to connect themselves. as yet.
with the State organization. because we
did not pnfine ourselves solely to the en-
1nnf Of ha To =
more attention is paid to this subject be-
cause of the activities of the opposition,
and the Journal should not question the
right or even the policy of the Good Citi-
zens to organize, so long as there lis
active organization on the opposite side.
Whenever the forces of evil cease resis-
throned in both social and official life,
whenever society ceases to be in danger
from the attacks of organized evil. then
will the mission of the Good Citizens
League have been ended. But, until then,
let II be known that a change is necessary
in certain practices that have existed. and
of bowling meekly to the circumstances.
just because they happen to exist. Ours
Is a republican form of government and
that mt threaten Society s and it's happiness
then the people. or such part of them as
believe I'm change have perfect right to
ton of their ideas. This is not a political
fight. IL ought not to be. and there is no
disposition to make it such. Many of us
are sorry to see the Journal take the stand
gagged in more meritorious business than in
finding fault with the Good Citizens League
and organizations designed to bring about
a better reign of law and order in this
state. Meanwhile, the work Of organiza-
ton goes steadily on, and before many
months there will be scores OF thousands
of Indiana citizens enrolled in the organiZa-
ton. Law must he obeyed. and any prac-
tice thtt tends otherwise is worthy to be
opposed. S. f. NICHOLSON.
North Judson. Ind. June 81.
Why Good Citizens Are Organized.
To the Editor of the Indianapolis Jouranl:
In an editorial i'm Mondays Journal en-
titled THE Nicholson Law and Good Cit
izenshp" you make some remarks which,
/ am sure. many of your readers will hes
itate to receive. You say: 1T ought not
son law will be attacked or resisted in any
other than a legitimate way" etc. Why
not assume" that the Nicholson law will
be resisted? The Liquor League represen-
tatives have said that il will be resisted.
Many of the saloon keepers have made no
promises for observing it. and have de-
clared they did not intend TO obey il un-
less compelled to do so. But our main rea-
son for assuming that they will not obey
the law Is because the majority of the sa-
looms do not now and never have obeyed
the law. Why have the police of Indian
apolis had so much trouble with saloon
established a reputation as lawbreakers
and the citizens OF Indiana know IT, You