The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-05
Objects to Section G.

TO the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
In reading the proposed Nicholson bill, I
find one section that I think should be
stricken out, and that is Section 6. For a
father to enforce Section Z. or to cause
a prosecution under it, would also cause the
conviction of his son. which, although it
might be right in one sense, would cause
many men to hesitate before doing so, es-
pecially when the father would be the suf-
ferer. as he would probably have to pay
the fine and suffer the disgrace of sending
his son to jail. l think the man who owns
and operates a saloon is the one who ought
TO be punished, not the innocent youth who
may be induced to. enter such places. / am
in favor of restricting the business in ey-
cry way possible to accomplish good, I am
also in favor Of deciding at the ballot-box
whether liquor shall be sold in the township
or ward, as the case may be, and | would
favor a law prohibiting a change of venue
In the case of application for liquor licenses.
The people where "a man lives surely are
the best judges of a persons fitness for the
saloon business, and it does not look right
for another county, that is not interested,
whisky. when his own ~neighbors declare
aim unit to carry on the business;
Redkey. Ind, Feb. 4.
Nr. Hathaway is mistaken in his last
statement. An applicant for license has no
License from me eommissi mus. pr procure pfhuar MS
ty In which. he proposes to do business.
Ed. Journal.)
Thinks the Dill Is All Right.
To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
No bill before the Legislature has been
so well and favorably received as the
Nicholson bill. 1t is not unjust to the bust
ness. 1t does not prevent any one from
selling his beer in legal hours. 1t does not
prevent any man from doing a strictly legal
business One saloon keeper is quoted as
saying: 1T will not affect by business. /
obey the law and run nothing in connection
with my bar" The cry that there are laws
enough on the statute books now, if they
are enforced, comes from those who are
wholly ignorant of the. loopholes in the
present laws, or who favor illegal saloon
business, or are Indifferent on the subject.
Under the present laws conviction is al
most impossible. The laws seem to have
been framed to protect the saloon rather
than the public. The reason they are not en-
forced is not because the officers are derelict
in duty, but the impotency of the laws.
Having more than once assisted in an effort
to enforce the existing statutes, I know
whereof l speak. 1t seems strange that
any American citizen would object to the
petition feature OF the bill. Will it be as
serted that the majority have not the right
to rule2 On what principle will the Legis-
lature withhold the right of a majority of
the legal voters controlling local affairs?
Under existing laws a saloon can be forced
on a community, and they have no redress.
This feature of the bill does not affect those
localities where the saloon is a popular in
stitution. Why compel it's presence where
a legal majority does not want it?
a writer from Kokomo says, of the screen
and furniture feature, that it has already
been passed upon by the higher courts,
be denied the privilege of using screens.
and other accommodations during
legal hours. The gentleman is just a little
OFT. The Suprems Court. in the Greencastle
TO remove all screens when so directed by
the City Council. was constitutional, even
during business hours. The furniture feat
ure. has never been Incorporated in any
The effort to scare the lawmakers
by aff1rmlng that it is the third party men
who are moving in the matter exposes the
Weakness or the opposition. am credibly
informed that the third party men as Il
do not favor the measure. 1t is their
boast that no satisfactory legislation can
be obtained through the old parties. They
are only waiting for 1t to fail. to shout, II
told you So 1t is the temperance men who
stood by the party. believing that
il was in power the desired relief
come. OF all the voters who signed
the petition here not half a dozen are third
party men: they are the men who have
stood by the party in this stronghold of
Democracy and given the Republicans the
victory. The Indiana Legislature never had
an opportunity TO quadruple, possibly
the third party vote of the State
tween the saloon and the better element Of
the State. The Nicholson bill is looked on
with great favor here by all friends of
temperance, # vox gopuIi controls in the
a law. READER.
Seymour. Ind, Feb. 4.