The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-04
FAvORS THE NICHOLSON BILL.
Rev. George Knox Presents Strong
Arguments for the Measure.

Rev. George Knox, pastor of the Seventh
Presbyterian Church, said some very en-
phatic things last night on the question of
temperance legislation. A large audience
heard his remarks and accorded him close
attention. Rev. Mr.. Knox is soreiy dis
gusted with the present State laws regulat-
ing the liquor business. He says they are
Of no force and does not hesitate to declare
them favorable to the liquor dealer. He dis
cussed chiefly the two bills now pending in
the Legislature, known as House bill No.
1853 and No. 165. Both bills look toward the
regulation of the liquor traffic, ore of them
providing for the scientific instruction of
the effects of liquor in the public schools.
Rev. Mr.. Knox thought 1t a sorry fact that
to-day Indiana is the only State north Of
the Mason and Dixon line that does not en-
joy a law OF this character. He felt that
g. sense of shame alone would impell the leg
islator to no longer keep the State in the
rear.
The pastor referred briefly to the differ
ent sections of the Nicholson bill, which
contains d distinct local option clause. His
conclusion was that, with the exception of
one section. there was not a new feature
about the bill, save that it provides for the
enforcement of the laws mat ere already
upon the statutes. Mr. Knox declared that
the saloon and the church were at war.
"A great battle is on ana there Is no queS-
ton about the ultimate victory. Nc Chris
tian man could afford to be a. coward in this
conflict. The saloon is a public enemy, he
declared, 1T blights everything 1t touches.
1t conSigns the man 10 an everlasting Death;
it transfers the home, the most sacred re-
treat of man, into a hell on earth. The
saloon brides and beats its way into power
and perverts the judiciary. 1t destroys
everything which a Christian people holds
sacred, and the self-.nterest of those en-
riched at the sacrifice OF the home is all
that keeps it in existence Take away its
profit and poiiti al power and there isn't Il
State in the world that would legalize it.
The liquor law of to-day is a law that has
been designed and dictated by the liqgor in
terests of the State. Nothing could be
more favorable TO the liquor man than the
present law of Indiana because il cannot be
enforced.
Mayor Denny and his officials have
made an honest effort to control the liquor
traffic in indianapolis. but they have con-
fessed their inability to do so. 1t was not
intended that this law should be enforced
when it was put on the books. The Mich
The whole object of the bill il TO enforce
the law. No honest saloon keeper could
lift his finger in objection TO IT. The local
option section of the bill Is fair and right.
Prohibition and license rest upon the same
principle, and If we have a right to IL
cense we have a right 10 prohibit. The
licensing of a certain number Of men To
doing SO. If it Is right to RESTRAIN at all
II is right 10 restrain along the whole line.
no man has d right TO do As he pleaseS
with what belongs to him unless he Is
| pleased 70 do what Is right. No man has
| u right to maintain = nuisance, and q sa-