The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1902-04-11
w. CT. u. COLUMN
CONDUCTED BY MRS. NJ. L. HOBBS
Who is W ho.

There is An element in local pol
itics-an element that is growing in
force and power every day-that
must soon meet day of reckoning,
unless The Sun mistakes the morals
of the people Of this community.
The brewery influence is the ele-
ment to which reference is made.
A man aspires to be mayor.
Promptly he is visited by an au-
thorized brewery agent, who de-
mands his pledge that the liquor
law will not be observed to the let
ter, in case Of his election, and that
no one shall be selected for chief OF
police who is likely to observe the
law. Gently but firmly the candi-
date is told that the brewery influ-
ence will be arrayed against him un-
less he pledges himself.
A candidate is mentioned for the
city council. The brewery agent
quickly appears. He doesn't mince
matters. He plainly tells the coun
cilmanic candidate that he must not
oppose the location of saloons in his
ward, or the brewery influence will
defeat him.
And the councilmanic candidate
STILES his self respect and accepts
the brewery influence.
A candidate for county commits
sioner is mentioned. Again comes
the brewery agent. "How do you
stand on the question OF issuing IL
cense to saloons?" the candidate is
asked. The brewery influence is
described to him. He weakens.
He pledges himself not to interfere
with or hamper the beneficent bust
ness Of the dealers in liquors.
A mayor is elected aud appoint
ments are to be made. One is q
chief of police. The brewery boss
lis on hand. This man is opposed
to saloons that violate the law and
won't do. That man must not bs
named, because he will observe thu
law Though the heavens fall. Mel
ther, despite his experience anc
ability, obtains the job. The brew
|ery influence operates against him
and the man that will not interfere
with the plans Of the brewery is sue
cessful.
II is time for mayor to select hi.
Board of Public Safety. Again thu
brewery influence. There MUST be
a mar on that board favorable e
the brewery element. Again th'
mayor smothers his conscience, ane
1.-THE brewery influence pats itself OF
1.-The back and says: "We own thu
town"
Perhaps, by mistake, the polic'
raid gambling joint. A promis
cuous crowd of gamblers is gathered
lin. Some Of these fellows belonI
to the brewery element-some d.
mot. The brewery agent sees tn
prosecutor without delay. "Thi
man." he says, Unjust not be con
!, victed That man must not be con
; victed, and. again, this man mus
!, 90 free," etc. etc. And the prose
Icutor must choose between his dut..
Ito the public and the direct and pos
|itiye orders of thu brewery-mus
discriminate in favor OF the brewery
favored gambler and others not g
favored, despite the fact that It on
lis guilty all are guilty.
These pictures are not overdrawn
Every man to-day holding publ
Office in the city Of Indianapoll
= knows them to be absolutely an
lunquestionably true.
The will of the people is nothin
the law is nothing-good order
nothing. The brewery influence
|everything-it must be consulte
first and always.
This is the situation that col
fronts the community. II is up I
1.-The people to say how long 1t wi
,.|be perpetuated. 1t is up to Ii
n|people to say when the utter disr'
al gard of their wishes and demand
ii will cease. Ii is up to the peoP|
Ito say who is to be considered
themselves or the brewery infi'