The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-03
Fate of the Measure May BE Decided
by the Minority, as Republicans
Stand Opposed.
WARM WORDS IN THE SENATE
ACTION ON THE WOOD GARNISHEE
BILLS CAUSES HOT DEBATE.
Mr.. Fortune, Waking from Sleep, Re-
buked by President Gflbert-Day
in Senate and House.

Unless the minority votes solidly for the
brewers bill, repeating the blanket re-
monstrance provisions of the Nicholson
law, the bill will be defeated in the House.
A poll of the members of the majority was
made last night by the opposition to the
bill and it is claimed that this poll showed
forty-five Republicans who will vote
against the bill at every stage. In addi-
ton to these men II is said that there are
at least six Republicans who are as yet
undecided in their position. and who will in
all probability come over to the opposition
on the final issue.
If the Democrats vote unanimously for
the bill there is a chance that ii may be
passed. They have thirty-four votes and
with them it only requires seventeen Re-
publican votes to pass 1t. However, it is
not believed that the members of the
minority will be a unit In any action they
may take the bill. In spite of their
caucus decision at the opening of the ses-
sion to stand together on all propositions
there are several of them of an independent
turn of mind. who have opinions and con-
victions of their own, who have manifested
a disposition to vote as they think, and not
as the caucus thinks. These independent
men may save the day for the temperance
people on the brewers bill.
GAME OF POLITICS.
1t is a foregone conclusion that the ma
jority of the Democrats will want to play
politics on this issue, and that their idea is
to stand together in opposition to the po-
sition of the majority. or the greater part
of the majority. That is. If they are satis-
fed that the bill will be passed by Repub-
lican votes they will all vote against it,
and by their record make an appeal to the
church and temperance people in the next
campaign. On the other hand, If the bill is
to be defeated by the Republican vote, or
if there is a bare chance for its being passed
solely by the aid of their votes, they will
stand for the bill, and thus make a bid for
the support of the liquor interests. A few
of the prominent members of the minority
and many of the rank and file, are inclined
to this attitude, but Representatives Slack
and Boyd. the former the minority floor
leader. are more inclined 70 vote their hon.
est convictions on all questions.
The temperance forces did effective work
among the representatives on the majority
side yesterday. Letters and resolutions
poured i'm on these men from all parts of
the State. urging them to do all in their
power TO defeat the brewers bill and these
letters came from class of people such
that any member would hesitate long be-
fore he opposed them. The leaders of the
opposition said, however. that the work
that was done yesterday would prove in
significant beside the showing they would
make later in the week. when the petitions
that were started Sunday in nearly every
church In Indiana begin to arrive.
The brewers lobby was not inactive on
the other hand. and their representatives
did some tall hustling all afternoon and