The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-08
Case Dismissed by the City Attorney
Who Found No Law Covering
the Crusaders Case.
PRAISE MEETING IN COURT
JUDGE FORCED To ADJOURN PRO-
CEEDINGs FOR THE DAY.
Mrs. Nation Permitted to Address the
Legislature and Defend Her
Strenuous Methods.

TOPEKA, Kan, Feb 7-City ATTORNEY
Gregg to-day dismissed the charge against
Mrs. Nation for smashing the Senate saloon
on Tuesday. He threw all the responsibility
for prosecuting the crusader on the State,
and said: "The city has no city ordinance
covering the destruction of personal prop
erty. but under the laws of Kansas the
State can prosecute Mrs. Nation if what
she destroyed can be proven to be personal
property" The city councillor and attorney
employed to prosecute Mrs. Nation in the
State courts had, he continued, sustained
his view that she could not be legally
prosecuted by the city, and he therefore
announced the dismissal of the case"
Mrs. Nation, who was sitting at table
In front of the police judges desk, cried:
amen, thank you, Mr.. Gregg; always
said you had too good face to be on the
side Of sim" Then. rising in her seat ami
turning about so she could face the women
who had crowded the courtroom Mrs Ma
ton began to sing, praise God from Whom
all Blessings Flow" Her followers took UP
the strain and the courtroom was tempor-
arily turned into a praise meeting.
Judge McGraw commanded that the dis
turbance cease, but Chief of Police Stahl,
who has openly favored Mrs. Nations
work, interrupted with. "Go ahead, ladies,
and sing all you want to-" and they did,
breaking out with even greater vigor with
the words, God be with you till we meet
again" Unable to continue business court
adjourned and Judge McGraw left the
building.
Mrs. Nation. the song service finally end
ed. took Chief Stahl to task for not destroy
ing the liquors seized by his men in raid
ing the saloons, but soon went out followed
by her band. Later Mrs. Nation went to
The High School and, by invitation. ad-
dressed the pupils. The senior class had
adopted resolutions commencing her work,
and Mrs. Nation was given hearty well
come by the children.
Mrs. Nation addressed both houses of the
| Legislature this evening on the saloon traf-
fc. She presented herself at the door of
the House at $50 p. m. with the request
that she be allowed to speak. The request
was voted upon. and. by a large majority,
Mrs. Nation was allowed to speak Some
few voted mo" 'I heard those noes"
said Mrs. Nation as she walked upon the
Clerks platform. 'T wondered why those
people voted that way. Have l ever Offend
ed you? Why do you object to my talking?
But, then, don't / know that those noes
come from the liquor traffic?"
A storm OF laughter swept over the House
and It was several minutes before Mrs
Nation could proceed.
Hold up your hands," yelled some one
In the rear, but Mrs. Nation only smiled
Thank God, the noes are in the minor
ity." continued Mrs. Nation. 'T come to
you to-day. men. as a woman-as a grand
raother. I come to tell you our sentiments
I am glad OF this opportunity to speak to
fathers. husbands. protectors OF wives who
st at their firesides. who know woman's
heart and her interests Now. gentlemen"
said Mrs. Nation in an earnest tone 'syou
can remedy this condition by knocking out
tho clause IN the prohibitory law which
gives the county attorney the right to sum
non witnesses. but refuses him the right
TO compel them to testify. You would do II
if common murderers were running loose;
Why not do it in this case?
Now. men," she said. IT am pleading
with you. 1 have been forced to do this
smashing business. 1 am going to tell the
truth TO you; you have not been doing your
cuty. A good solid vote is the best thing
in the world with which to smash the
saloons. You refused me the vote. and /
had 10 use a rock. BY the way, / wish
those noes would stand up. / would like
10 see them. 1 think If / could talk TO
them while / could show them their
error. Come. now. stand up"
Some outsider who had gained a seat on
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