The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-15
THE RUM TRAFFIC EVIL
ABSTINENCE UNION WANTS CATHO-
Lies TO ABANDON THE BUSINESS.
An Appeal to the Disqualification
ana Moore Temperance Laws In
dOrsed by the Convention.

The convention of the Indiana branch of
the Catholic Total Abstinence Union closed
yesterday noon. There was a large attend
ance at the meeting in Masonic Hall.
A requiem high mass for the repose of the
souls of the deceased members of the or
ganization was celebrated by Rev. Father
Rudolf in St. Johns Church at O'Clock.
The morning session was devoted to the re-
ports of committees and the business of the
association. Most of the officers were re-
elected to their positions, and this will
make the third term for Mr.. Mahoney as
president The list is as follows: Spiritual
director, Mgr. Bessonies, of Indianapolis;
president, ?. Maholey, of Logansport; first
vice president, the Rev. F. j. Rudolf, of
Connersville; second vice president, the
Rev. p. z. Cooney of Notre Dame; third
vice president, Agnes p. Murphy of South
Bend; secretary, John McCaftry, of Logans-
port; treasurer, Peter Kelley of Peru; or
ganizer Ft. Wayne diocese the Rev. j. A.
Burns, c. r. c., of Notre Dame; organizer
Vincennes diocese, William Heffernan, of
Washington, Ind.
The committee on resolutions submitted a
report with numerous resolutions. The m
portant resolutions passed are as follows:
THAT we once more appeal to our fellow
Catholics on behalf OF the principle and
DIaCIlCG
experience teaches that there is no safe
middle course to pursue in dealing with the
drink question; That the thirst Tor strong
drink is not acquired at once, but is d
case of gradual growth; that the drunkard
OF to-day was the moderate drinker of yes
terday, and that the man Who while tip
ping, be it ever SO moderate, believes him.
self wholly secure from the fate of the
drunkard, but advertises his ignorance, his
egotism, or both.
to the promotion OF temperance among our
people is the fact that many of our CO.
religionists are engaged in the unbecoming,
soul-destroying and man-degrading bust
ness of selling intoxicating liquors. and we
sincerely nope and pray that our pastors
will use their powerful influence towards
inducing their people to abandon the drink
traffic and adopt more becoming way of
making a living.
tendency of our Catholic citizens, especially
in the large cities of our beloved country,
to make the liquor dealers their political
and social leaders.
''That, in our opinion the saloon of to-
day, as operated in Indiana, IS public
nuisance, and, being an unmiXed evil, ought
to be abolished and that as a step III That
direction, We as citizens of Indiana, deeply
concerned in the welfare OF our state,
heartily indorse the Nicholson and Moore
laws, enacted in 1895, and the quart-Shop
law of 1897, and call upon all our members
to aid by all means within their power the
enforcement and extension of said laws.
THAT we rejoice at the evident growth
of the organized tCtal abstinence movement
of our State and we hope ana pray that
they will continue to organize and work
until such an abhorrent thing as drunk
ards wife or child will not be Known IN
our fair land.
THAT we deplore the practice of certain
Catholic publications in selling space for
and advertising the liquor business, and we
recommend as clean and worthy OF our
heartiest support. the Catholic Record Of
our own State, which, though poorly sup
ported by those whom it serves so well, yet
does not seek the aid Of the rum trafnc to
replenish its coffers and,
'Whereas, our attention has been called
to the fact that societies claiming to be
Catholic have given entertainments of dit
ferent kinds at which intoxicating liquors
were sold some of which entertainments
have been given on church property, and
for church purposes; therefore, be it
Resolved. That we. as Catholics, as Well
as total abstainers DO most heartily con-
denim everything of this kind, as it places
such organization and entertainments be-
low the level of the saloon. w bile we look
on the saloons as a fostering sore on Amer
lean society, yet they are controlled by
laws which attempt to regulate the sale OF
intoxicants while at those So-called fesu-
walls and picnics liquors are sold to boys
and girls, thereby teaching children to
drink before they reach the age of reason.
We feel that when any organization has
to live by deriving revenue from the sale
of intoxicants it should no longer exist We.
also greatly deplOre the fact that the good
name of the holy church should be sullied
by renting church property for the sale OF
intoxicating liquors or permitting the same
to be used for such unholy purpose.
That we also ask of our clergy and laity
to do all that is in their power to get
Catholics out of the saloon business, and
if they will not leave the business entire
ly, then first let us use kindness and per-
suasion to the best of our ability, and If
that is not effective take recourse to law,
in order that we may have the saloon re-
moved from our church doors 80 that our
children will not have to continually pass
by them.
a strong effort should be made among Cath
olics to make the so-caled business of sa-
loon keeping odiOus, and as a step in this
direction we recommend the action of
Bishop Watterson in excluding saloon keep
ers from membership in the Catholic So
cieties of his diocese, and also the action
Of such Catholic societies as have barred
them from future membership in their
ranks.
After the business of the convention was
completed the delegates We're entertained
with d trolley ride about the city.
Building Permits.
Mrs Nj. A. Cox. frame house. $50 East Fiji
John S. spaan & Co. agents. repairs to Cleave-
Dora NJ Readings frame cottage, Woodlawn