The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-20
we,lington,s Letter Criticised.

To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
Many of the recent letters published in
the Journal are intensely interesting and,
think, also will prove to be highly profit
able as bearing upon the Nicholson bill.
But of all the letters have read, the one
published in the issue of Monday, Feb. is,
from Greens5urg and over the signature of
J. S. Wellington, is the most bitter. For
the most part, it's author is Republican,
but in this article he is Democrat. He
may not intend to be. but that is where the
spirit and logic of his article land him.
The Nicholson bill will be a terror to the
evil doer," just like any law touching the
public morals. The bill is not drawn at
the behest of party, and is not, therefore,
the product of Temperance fanaticism,"
but the frank expression of an honest
opinion--long withheld-that the people of
ward township ought to have some
sort of defense against that august man of
good moral character he appears be-
fore the county commissioners asking for
license. Under the old law they have abso-
lutely none; under the proposed bill an ap-
plicant for license or any OF his
representatives is disposed of for at least
two years; no bobbing UP again at the next
commissioners court under new name,
as under the Baxter law.
My pessmistic neighbor. in his very pessi-
diana as "a failure and the Baxter law as
"a humbug," ETC., in support of an idea that
is far-fetched and really no part Of the
object or aim of the pending bill, viz: ITO
regulate the appetites of men and women
by legislation and to construct the human
nature OF the human race af tho Michnon
bill. The bill is far more immediate in its
aims. In recognizing the fact at once, in
elements is arrayed against the human
race and what the bill proposes is to
provide that the representative of the very
worst element Of human nature the sa-
loon keeper shall not be a majority as
against the whole human race in town.
ship ward in regard to the advisability
of this one man forcing his kind of human
nature" on the balance of the race against
their will: 1t does not propose prohibition
where it is not wanted, but If the human
nature of the race in a ward or township
prefer the saloon they will under the bill
Se aa e enjoy M BE-
necessary in order to the qualification of the
tastes 20, of our neighbors and feiiow,citi-
will be reserved to all people of taste
under this bill.
Now, with a bill that proposes this, and
only this, as it's main feature, and because
so many of our very best and most intel
ligent citizens. irrespective of politics or
enough to admit the merit of the measure,
and also knowing, as they do so We'll, the
hideous farce practiced upon them SO long
name of law they are called "Howlers'' and
Temperance fanatics and men too
stupid to learn anything from the Baxter
or the Maine law. We do learn from these
sources. The Maine law is still in force as
prohibitory measure, never having been
repealed, and as to local option. even in
Kentucky, in many townships, citizens are
compelled to cross the river into Indiana
when they want to drink because of local
option at home kentuckians have learned
this and Hoosiers. should profit by the ex
ample; so j shall be astonished beyond
measure If at least 80 per cent. of these
citizens and 70 per cent. of their Represen-
man as j. $. Wellington is krown in De-
catur county. Nj. MURPHY.
Greensburg, Ind, Feb. IS.