The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-05
ffisDryGOOd CO
LIQUOR LAW
NICHOLSON BILL INDoRsED by CITI-
ZENs LAST NIGHT.
Mayor Denny, Father B~essonies. Mr..
and Others Speak In It's
Favor-Ministers' Action.

One hundred Indianapolis citizens, most of
whom were voters. met at the Meridian
street Church last night. They discussed the
existing liquor laws of the State and framed
a resolution indorsing the provisions of the
Nicholson bill. now pending IN the Legis-
lature. Mayor Denny presided and briefly
outlined the purpose of the gathering.
Ills Is a question OF vital interest to So
ciety.' he said at the start. Every father
and mother, every citizen, old ana young,
rich or poor, Is interested In 1T. For twenty
years the State has had a law upon its
books with which the Legislature had little
10 do, This liquor law is a novel one. 1t was
prepared by a certain class and was passed
by the Legislature in the interest of that
class and no other. The law that has. for
twenty years, regulated the sale of liquor
was prepared by the attorney for the LIQUOR
League OF Indiana. It's passage was secured
by that league. In 1881 1t was amended and
the most wholesome provisions stricken out.
The people of this State who had ANYTHING
to do with its passage now realize that it
was shrewdly prepared and was intended to
deceive, 1T was meant to make the average
citizen believe that 1t was a fairly good
thing for society. Now it cannot be enforced.
i have been a close observer of the work
ings of this liquor law, both as an official
and private citizen. In this city it has been
the hardest task in the world to make even
a respectable showing toward the enforce
ment of this law. The time has come when
the citizens of the State ought to have some
tning TO do with the laws. / do not believe
The time could be more favorable to cbanye
THIS disgraceful law, SO that society will
nave. some protection. instead of the saloon
believe, is one that every citizen of Indiana
no matter what his business NAV he, can
ssnetion and approve. 1t seems to me that
II LGRlSIature. taking QC IN 1noo fHo ~-4
Inent OF the people into consideration. o1pht
70 pc ready to pass this measure or some
otner that viii put the law we have on the
statute books into a shape to be enforcsd
our representatives in the Legislature are
70 pc made TO understand that the people
are In favor OF some wholesome laws
Mayor. Denny introduced S. e. Nicholson.
spoke briefly of it's merits. He felt fha9
there Is a sentiment over the State which
iayored better government and purer citi-
This need lies in the fact, he continued
mat Tor the last decade a spirit of liber-
the country. a disposition to get away from
the Puritanfsm OF the past, a seeking TO
and laws are concerned. This led to GER
tain measures which have taken the form
wave of demand for better government ali
over the country. / would to God there
were a million DR.. Parkhursts that might
people the evidence Of guilt ana eorrueti one
IN our State the saloon is entrenchad be-
aoW Tia u SeCH1S almost
impossible to enforce. The question is.
shall the people of Indiana have the needed
relief. This bill aims to come in as sup
elementary to the present law in a way
that Will give the relief needed. | have
heard 1t said, and / believe it to be true,
that 1t is easier to convict a man of murder
In Indiana than of the illegal sale of
Mr.. Nicholson referred to the ninth Sec
ton OF his bill as one which would afford
relief to neighborhoods. There was nothing
nn-American about It because it is along
the line OF the rule of the majority. he said.
Rev. DR.. .Haines. in a short address, said
ne was satisfied that II the legislators could
understand the sentiment over the State
~favoring the Nicholson bill they would do
something. He had understood that the
politicians p, tic s were II despair, and that they
er- thought they should be made to under
stand that they must do somethiag; they
would be whipped into it finally.
Rev. G. n, Sims, pastor of the Meridian
street nj. r. Church. had seen the Mayor
and the city administration SO manitestly
honest and persistent IN their efforts to en-
force. the laws that exist that every honest
impulse of his soul had gone cut in SYM
pathy, He was in favor of either restrict
ing the saloons or. allowing them licerse
free and u~ntrarimeled.
Captain Eli Ritter said that the friends