The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-12
THE NICHOLSON BILL.
Endorsed in "a Speech by President
John, of DePauw University.
,ecial 10 the Indianapolis journal.

mass meeting, held in the courthouse sat
ur1ay night President John, of DePauw
University, was one of the speakers, and
said:
our State for many reasons, only two of
which | shall now give:
go far enough in some directions to please
me. On it's face it closes saloons one day
in seven; it would please me better if il
days. on its face it closes them
six hours out of every twenty-four;
/ would like it better if it closed
them the other eighteen hours. On its face
it forbids the sale of liquor TO man during
the first twenty,ene Years t or ms hi ne;
during the remaining forty-nine years OF his
three score and ten. This, then, is my first
even on its face, go far enough: As far as
1T goes in certain directions, IT is excellent;
but it stops short OF the end
present law is that it does not in reality go
as far as it seems on the face OF IT. 1T
forbids the sale of liquor Sunday, but
liquor is sold Sunday, simply because
1t is next to impracticable under the law
to prove the fact in court. 1t forbids the
sale of liquor between the hours of III at
night and in the morning, but liquor is
sold between these hours, because the bur-
den of proof rests upon the state, and not
upon the saloon. 1t forbids the sale OF liq-
uor to drunkard, but liquor is sold to in
toxicated men, because of the difficulty of
establishing the fact in court. 1t forbids
the sale of liquor to minors. but liquor is
sold to minors, because the minor who vio-
lates the law in buying viii violate it in
testifying
1.-The law not only does not go far enough
but 1t is to deplorable extent a dead let
that 1T goes as far it does. There is law
enough in the State of Indiana to wipe out
considerable portion of its saloons and TO
reduce greatly the evil of the remainder,
but the trouble is this law is violated with
impunity because OF the difficulty of its
enforcement. If it We're practically certain
that the saloon would be detected in the vi
olation of law and found guilty by the
courts it would not violate the law; and as
a consequence its numbers would be greatly
diminished ard the evils of the survivors
materially lessened.
Until we can get more and better law
against the saloon what, then, is our duty
as patriotic citizens? 1t is, plainly, to exc
cute to the last jot and title the law we
have. Ii we have law enough greatly to re-
duce the evil is it the part of wise men to
wink at the evil because We can only partly
exterminate it? II we have penalties that
would be sufficient to prevent the violation
of existing law, provided the penalties were
sure TO follow. and if these penalties fail
10 Follow because of the character of the
proof required, or because OF any defect in
the existing law, then let the law be so
amended as to make 1T sure to reach the
end; let the law be SO amended as to make
1T practicable to execute it; let the law be
amended so as to make it worth its face.
And while We are amending let us add to
the scope OF the law all that is possible.
Let US not only make the law equal to its
of its face. Let us both make it worth a
hundred cents to the dollar and at the same
possible.
This is what the Nicholson bill proposes
TO DO 1t proposes to make the present law
on the saloon and by giving the State at
least an equal chance. 1t proposes to util-
re re me existing law and to concentrate its
into detail to show how the Nicholson bill
proposes to make the present law more
available. L leave that to the distinguished
regal gentlemen who to follow.
But, besides putting the present law on
its feet. this bill proposes, in Section g. to
local option can prevail the saloon will be
banished altogether from the community
full edge of the present law can be made
TO cut against the saloon If this bill be-
be altogether free from the baneful infu-
ence of the saloon; and in all the remain
ing communities of the State the evils can
be reduced to their minimum But we are
met with the objection that local option is
unconstitutional. Suppose we give it trial
and test its constitutionality. The Consti-
tuition does not change. but it's interpreta-
ton changes. What was unconstitutional
once is unconstitutional to-day but the in
ment has a good deal to do with the con-
struction of obscure or doubtful passages
IN f1,,d me Constitution. Indeed parts of the
fundamental law are imperative until the
public conscience becomes quick and tender
enough to see to the bottom of its truth
The Constitution of the State of Indiana is
founded on Christian morality Whatever
is immoral is illegal, either actually or 20
tentially. Moral legislation against imrnor-
atty cannot be constitutional because NOR
al1ty Is the essence of the Constitution
Public conscience must decide what is NOR
a. The time was in the State of Indiana.
am told when public conscience decided
| that lotteries were not immoral Legisla-
ton in the interests of lotteries was then
constitutional. The time now is when pub
| lie conscience says that lotteries are i'm
moral, and legislation in the interest of lot
teries is now unconstitutional 1t is the
same Constitution, but revised public con-
| science.
THE time was when the public conscience
| has said that the saloon not immoral,
ana legislation against it was, therefore
unconstitutional: The time is close at hand,
IT not already here, when the public con-
| science will say that the saloon is essential
| ~ and irretrievably immoral, and then leg
| 1slation in its favor will be unconstitutional
| and all moral legislation against it will be
CONSTITUTIONAL Some things which pien
| called the truth a century ago we call error
to-day. Is it the truth that has changed
| or is it the philosophers? Truth is eternal
but its appearance varies with the eyes of
| the beholder. Local option may have been
unconstitutional years ago. but the con-
science of the people has quickened; and if
the public conscience shall decide that i. is
| constitutional to-day the courts will soon
| fall in line. The uprising of temperance
| people IN our State during the past few
| weeks has been phenomenal. Men and
| women of all creeds and parties are de-
manding the restriction and the suppression
| OF the saloon; This tide of sentiment cannot
be stayed. The people in earnest If
| our servants heed the call it will be well
with them and the State; but If they close
| their ears to the voices of the people and
| open their ears TO the threatenings Of the
demagogues the hot fires of public indiena-
| ton will flame against them, and the peo-
| pie will rise in their might and drive them
| from the halls of legislation and remand
| them to private life; and the people will
find other servants who will not faIter in
| the presence of duty, but who will coura-
geously ring the death knell of the saloon
Divide and Show Your Strength.
| To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
| The people OF Indiana are aroused on the
| temperance question they never have
| been before. Now, let meetings be had in
| all the churches of every kind in the State:
| then let them march to the public squares
| or other available places and show their
strength in broad daylight; count the mum,
| Der. If the opposition see fit. let them come
! out and do the Same-show their strength
| Let it be fight to the finish. This is not
| simply Republican fight. Thousa nds of
! good Democrats demand the same Let us
conquer peace A. H. ALLISON
Shelbyville, Ind, Feb H.
Endorsed at Columbus.
! Special to the Indianapolis Journal
| COLI MBCS, Ind, Feb. lin the Chris
| tan Church here a revival neetinc Ia in