The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-07
THE FIGHT is NOW ON
FIRST sKIRMIsH ON TEMPERANCE
AFFAIRS IN THE HOUSE.
Mr.. Nicholson Won n Point by Hnv-
Ing Els Bill Recommitted To the
Temperance Committee.

The preliminary skirmish on the line of
the Nicholson bill opened in the House yes
terday afternoon, and the friends of the
measure have hopes. judging from the ex-
pressions Of members, that the House will
pass the bill with only a few amendments
at the most. After a prolonged discussion
on the two reports submitted by the COM
mittee the bill went back to the temper
ance to be reported for either
passage or indefinite postponement. AS it
came before the House an apparent majority
OF the committee, while not reporting adj
versely, favored committing the bill to the
judiciary gentlemen for an opinion as to
it's constitutionality. The minority asked
that the House pass the measure.
Mr.. Nicholson said he had no serious OBJ
~jections to the bill drifting before the judi
ciary committee, although he did not see
how it could have a place there. The judi
ciary committee was not sitting as a SUI
preme court to pass upon the constitution
ality of all bills offered. Copies of tie bill
had been sent broadcast, and members of
the House had been given an opportunity OF
examining every provision Of 1t. Reference
10 the Judiciary would only delay action.
Mr.. Wilson,, of Ripley, was opposed to
hasty action on the bill by The temperance
committee He stated that Judge Stubbs, of
indianapolis, had expressed some doubts as
TO the constitutionality OF certain provisions
OF the Nicholson bill. Besides, the commit
tee had promised to hear Judge Stubs
Thursday evening on the merits of the In
dianapolis city administration measure. Mr..
Wflloughby declared himself opposed TO the
Nicholson bill. but was willing to give Mr..
Nlcholson's mi more time to con-
sloer 1t. He did not believe in sfhetracking
olils in the judiciary room. When Mr.. Har-
rlS of Han,i1fan -
a supporter of the bill there was consiIera-
Die applause. His constituents were ready
Tor temperance legislation, he said. Mr..
Grifnn, of Boone, spoke on the same line. Mr..
van Arsdel expressed surprise at the action
Oh the majority of the temperance commit
tee. NO subject was attracting as much
attention over the State as the Nicholson
Dill The Democratic party had been OPP
posed to sumptlary legislation for more
IMAM twenty-five years, but. Mr.. Van Arsdel
declared that he was for it at the right
time. Mr.. Higbee, of Sullivan, who is one
OF the Democrats supporting the much
talked-about measure, put himself on rec
ORD, after stating that the Democratic party
nao never had an opportunity before to vote
on such a bill.
Mr.. Robinson, chairman of the judiciary
committee, said his committee would rather
best. he held, to nave the committee on
he measure ana re-
port back to the House not later than Fri
day. Mr.. Nicholson approved this sugges-
ton. Mr.. Blakely thought the committee
should give some attention to other bills
before it, besides the Nicholson bill. The
PHI OF the city administration was one that
MAD been given a great deal of study, and
should not be cast aside without consfdera-
ton. Mr.. statesman did not believe the Judi
ulclary. was the proper tribunal to handle
the Dill in its present stage. Mr.. Stotsen-
berg facetiously asked that the entire mat
ter be put in the hands of the steering
committee of the majority. Finally, by a
ance was instructed to further consider the
bill and report back.
Throughout the day petitions and me-
MORALS were introduced in both House and
Senate bearing on the Nicholson bill and
other temperance measures. Mr.. Van ArSdel
had a petition signed by several thousand
people in this city, and Mr.. Nicholson had
one almost as long. Mr.. Remington had
another E8F#a
At the meeting of the temperance COM
mittee after the House adjournment the bill
was gone over section by section and sew
eral amendments suggested to Mr.. Nichol-
tables in saloons will probably be stricken
out. Six members of the committee, all
those present. showed a disposition to re-
port favorably on the measure if the amend
ments are made. No action was determined
upon. as another meeting of the
Will be held this afternoon to consider the
Indianapolis bill. One of the members of the
said last night that ne thought
several temperance bills would be reported
in order that the House might axe it's
choice.