The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-01
TO LUHRINC
CONSERVATIVE LEGISLATORS THINK
WELL OF HIS BILL.
Measure to Repeal Blanket Remon-
STRANGE Provision of Nicholson
Law Favored by Many.
LINDLEY WILL LEAD FIGHT
HE SAYS THE LIQUOR INTERESTS
MUST NOT GAIN GROUND.
Evansville Representative Presents
Arguments to show Why His Meas
ure should Go Through.
SUNDAY BASEBALL FAVORED
BURNS AND DAUsMAN THINK IT ALL
RIGHT FOR INDIANAPOLIS.
Important Bills Pending i'm the Gen.
eraI Acknowledgements Sugges-
tiOn-LegisIative News.
ure should Go Through.
SUNDAY BASEBALL FAVORED
BURNS AND DAUSMAN THINK 1T ALL
RIGHT FOR INDIANAPOLIS.
Important Bills Pending i'm the Gen.
eraI Assembly-Belrs Sugges-
tiOn-Legislative News.

Interest in legislative affairs for the next
two weeks will undoubtedly center in the
disposition made of the brewers bill re-
pealing the blanket remonstrance provision
of the Nicholson law. The bill, which was
introduced in the House by Representative
Luhring, of Evansville, is now in the hands
of the committee on public morals. of
which Representative Stechhan. of Indian
apolis, is chairman. 1t is understood that
the committee will recommend the bill for
passage tomorrow or Tuesday. Not all the
members of the committee favor the bill.
but it is not believed that minority report
will be submitted
The bill is backed by the most formidable
lobby that has So far appeared during the
session. one with men of ability and en-
ergy TO direct it and one with practically
an unlimited amount OF money at its dis
posal- On the other hand the temperance
forces. including the representatives of the
Prohibition party and the Anti-saloon
League, are rallying to fight the measure,
and while they are not so abundantly pos
sessed of the 'sinews of war; they are led
by capable, intelligent men, not unversed
in political lore, and they are backed by
great moral principle that has proved more
effective than money.
The opposition TO the measure is count
ing largely on defeating 1t i'm the House.
but If it passes that body they will con-
tinue the contest with redoubled energy in
the Senate. Representative Williams. OF
New Castle. is regarded the leader of the
temperance forces i'm the House. and he
said last night that the opposition believed
it already commanded enough votes TO Kill
the bill when the proper time comes He
indicated that he hoped to avoid an ex-
tended discussion of the bill on the floor.
and this is taken to justify the inference
that the fight will be begun the moment
the bill is handed down on second reading.
when the proper step to that end will be
motion to amend by striking out the enact
ing clause.
UNDER THIS YEARS RULES.
A favorable report from the committee
under this years rules insures that the bill
will be printed and advanced to second
reading without discussion. II there is
also an unfavorable minority report the
question of concurring in the minority
recommendation will arise when the bill
comes mp on second reading.
Representative Luhring, i'm giving his
sons for introducing and supporting the bill.
gave voice to sentiments that are enter
tanned by many of the conservative mem
bers of both branches and that indicate
that the bill will have large following
from men who ordinarily would be expect
ed to favor temperance legislation.
''I believe the bill is right said Mr.. Luh-
ring, ''and that the brewers and liquor in
terests are asking no more than common
Justice demands they should be given. The
original Nicholson bill and its warmest adj
vocates never contemplated the blanket
monstrance. There was loophole In the
construction of the bill, afterwards was
discovered by the temperance people, that
admitted of an Interpretation OF that char
acter and of course they were ready and
anxious to take advantage of IL. 1 don't
blame them for that
.'The remonstrance provision was incor-
porated in that bill, as / understand IL, as
a concession to the argument that some
means should be provided to prevent unit
persons from obtaining liquor licenses. That
was all right. but when the Supreme Court
upheld the contention that voter IN sign
ing one remonstrance could give power
cry succeeding applicant IL became possible
for the demonstrators not only TO keep the
unfit person from securing a license. but to
shut out the next applicant, who might
in every respect be wholly fit and respon-
sible TO become liquor dealer. There's
where the injustice of the blanket remon-
STRANGE provision comes in.
Again, John Smith applies for IL
cense to open a saloon In a certain ward
or township. The temperance people go TO
work and get up a remonstrance that shuts
him out. IL required hard work on their
part to get II. John Jones comes along and
applies for a license in the same ward or
township and he is barred by the remon-
STRANGE that defeated Smith. and with p-ac-
tically no effort on the part OF the temper
ance people. Does Jones get an equal
chance with Smith in the matter OF obtain
ing license? That Is another injustice or
the law the brewers ask repealed.
SHOE ON OTHER FOOT
Still again, suppose that the shoe were
on the other foot. Suppose that the Mich
olson law had contained the provision that
the applicant for a liquor license must first
secure petition signed by majority or
two-thlrds of the voters of his ward or
township. Suppose that a year after the
law went into effect some one advanced the
argument that the voters could grant a
power OF attorney I'm signing such petitions
and thus establish the blanket petition in
stead of the blanket remonstrance. What
would have been the result? The cry
that would have gone up from the temper
ance people would have echoed into eter-
nity. They would have raised the argu-
ment that such law was unconstitution-
AL that such a construction was never
contemplated by the trainers OF the orig
inal bill and that the law should not be so
construed. That. In my mind. Is one or
the strongest arguments I'm favor OF the
bin l have introduced. IL depends alto
gether on whose OK is gored as 10 the
source of the howl that is raised"
III the bill reaches the Senate. and IL IL
Is defeated i'm the House II Will probably
be introduced In a slightly modified form
in the upper branch. senator Lindey. OF
Hamilton county. Will lead the forces of
the opposition. The senator Is unquau-
asdly against the bill. and he Is already
| beginning his fight In anticipation OF the
hills coming before the Senate.
II would never dare face my constituents
In Hamilton and Upton counties " pek-