The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-06-26
BREWERS TO FIGHT IT
THEY WILL CONDUCT THE ATTACK
On THE NICHOLSON LAW.
Test Case Will he Brought Where
the First Skirmish May
BE Won.

The executive committee Of TIE Indiana
Brewers League held a meeting. yesterday
afternoon, at the Bates House, Mr.. Cook
of Evansville. Mr.. Fairbanks. of Terre
Haute, and Albert Lieber, of this city, be-
sides j. W. Loeper, assistant secretary,
being among those present. The league dis
cussed the Nicholson and the Moore tenn
perance laws regulating the liquor traffic,
and formulated a policy. Mr.. Fairbanks
was decidedly opposed to paying any atten-
ton TO the laws. saying that as far as his
county, Vigo. was concerned there would
be no prosecutions, and everything might
continue as wide open as 1t is now. To his
surprise. as he afterwards said. he found
that the other brewers were strongly op-
posed to this idea ane believed that 10
adopt his policy would be to arouse a SEN
timent in favor Of the new laws that would
result in their being strengthened before the
courts. 1t was then decided to advise sa-
loon keepers TO obey the laws TO the letter
and give the association time TO test them
before the highest court in che State. They
agreed to inform the trade" otherwise
the saloon keepers of the State, that the
association is watching out for their inter.
ests, and had prepared to carry the avs
to the courts and to final appeal. With
this policy settled, they decided to publish
an appeal to the people of the State, and
also to address an open communication to
the saloon keepers. The address to the
State was as follows:
1T is significant that no wholesale. liquor
dealers have taken steps or assisted in
any way TO contest the Nicholson bill, which
is explained by the brewers that whisky
uEill hn honaffnd inCtna1 nf inllraH fhrnnUH
the enforcement of the Nicholson law. They
say the more stringent the law the stronger
the beverage. Whisky can be easily con
cealed and drunk at any temperature, while
beer is bulky and must be drunk cool.
The Nicholson bill was drawn up by
extremists, and is impractical, puts an hon
mailers. If saloonists violated the old law
because 1t was too mild, now that they
have passed a more stringent measure, does
it stand to reason that the former violators
will obey? Some States had prohibition
which is still a more stringent law. Wa
drink abolished? Maine, the Oldest. prohi-
looms. Why? Because extremes never
work. We have very good and sensible
laws regulating the traffic. and we have
had good success. as we believe the State
Of Indiana stands as high in sobriety as
any other State in the Union, prohibition
States not excepted.
1T is false that the Liquor League has
raised 100000, or any amount of money, &c
antagoniZe the Nicholson bill; in fact, there
is no such league in existence. and If some
people would only take the pains, If they
desire to be truthful, they would not mis-
lead those to whom they preach about
liquor leagues. 1t is not creditable to then
to have to manufacture phantom antag
onistic leagues in order to hold their audi
ences.
.'In conclusion would say that we believe
that if the people in the State of In
this subject they would never have &C
cepted the Nicholson bill. 1t was a meas
ure that was not up before the people. Il
was unfair to pass it, as no issue wa.
platforms in the campaign. No local option
feature was in either platform, and when
ever it was in the Republican platform
Yes, we will contest the Nicholson bill
upon it's merits; no politics is in ii. and
we shall retain legal talent, regardless a:
The address to the trade is as follows
1.-The Indiana Brewers Association hell
a meeting at the Bates House. in Indian
apolis, to-day, to discuss the different fea
lures of the Nicholson and Moore laws
They resolved to notify the trade to strict
~ adhere to the Nicholson and Moore laws
the constitutionality of the different fea
lures of sad laws"
The point that is most hateful to thu
trade is that which makes it possible t.
keep saloons out of neighborhoods or an
section in which the majority can be in
duced to sign a remonstrance. This is taker
W NC IL lOCdl OUllOn ltdtult, IL COIl u
liquor traffic regulation which has already
been decided to be unconstitutional in In
diana. and the association hopes that tn.
Supreme Court will take the same view of /
feature is that which makes 1t. possible Il
carry out the provisions of the old Law
closing saloons on Sundays, at II o'clock
and on holidays. This will also be at
tackled. The provisions making the run
ning, in and out of men into a saloon at II
gal sales will be assailed. The plan is t.
await developments in every county, anC
when arrests are made, such cases will bt
selected for the contests as will carry
every Objectionable feature before the Su
preme Court. The initiative is intrusted Il
on the defenses viii ali come from the
brewers association. The Nicholson law |!
especially offensive, 70 them because it pro
name of agents. The financial arrange
ments of the breweries will have to b'
changed TO the new conditions.
The association has received opinions from
a firm of lawyers in Terre Haute, and alSC
in Fort Wayne. to the effect that the Law
several of its features. There has been
food of legal talent offered to the associa
ton, anxious for a sig hit of the color OF
that 100000, which has been spoken OF. The
association is not willing to give the names
Of it's attorneys, and each local association
will select its own. Local politicians hav'
informed the association members tina
there is no Judge in Marion County befor'
whom it would be absolutely safe to brlnt
the first case. Mr.. Fairbanks said las
night that he would not hesitate to trust tn
case to the vigo county Courts. The asso
citation is anxious TO win in the first rount
for the sake of the prestige that would b.
given il, and also the immunity that woulG
be enjoyed under the decision that the Law
is unconstitutional pending the decision o
the Supreme Court. 1t is, therefore,, no
probable that the test cases Will arise IL
this city.
The members of the association are yer,
anxious that Indianapolis should elect
Democratic Mayor. Mr.. Fairbanks espresso
himself as satisfied with the delay tina
has occurred. The laws could have. beer
ready sixty days ago." he said. He is ex
pecting the enfor cement of the law 10 hav'
a decided effect upon the municipal cam
paign in favor of the Democratic party. MI
Fairbanks said that Tom Taggart ought Z
be elected, and the town would be wild
open. When it was suggested that MI
Taggart would not take the, nomination
he replied: 'Oh, yes. he will. without
doubt, if it is offered to him."
The bar-room of the Grand Hotel ha
been arranged so as to conform with tn
Nicholson law. Three large panes of frost
ed, embossed glass have been removed s.
that the police may have a clear view o
the place during Illegal hours. The Gov
ernor is on his Way East. and the assOcla