The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-02-08
Popularity of Temperance
Measure Looks Gloomy
For "Rumshops."
THEY SAIL RIGHT ALONG
Bills Laughed at Month Ago Now
Begin to Look Like Sure
Things.
sneclnI 70 Lake County Times.l

8
indianapolis. Feb. 8.-Temperance
bills are in the foreground. Steadily
the interest in temperance matters has
increased, steadily have the temperance
influences made themselves felt, until,
not only have both the important meas
ures passed the senate, but they have
a good chance of passing the house.
Four weeks ago. the idea that either
the $1,000 license or the blind tiger bill
would pass either branch was laughed
at The senate woke people up by
passing both. Both were sent over to
the house, where they still lie.
Two weeks ago there was not a
chance on earth for either measure
to pass the house So far as could
be ascertained the big majority in the
house was against both of the meas
ures. absolutely. Within the past two
weeks, however, the sentiment has
changed, until now, both are in a fair
way to be passed. Either of the bills
is likely to be called up before the
house any day.
The blind tiger bill has been ready
to be called up for several days. A
close poll of the house shows a bare
majority in favor of it. but It's spon-
sors have not been able to call it up
for fear all Of its supporters We're
not present
High License Majority in House.
Even the high license bill now has
a majority of supporters in the house,
ncut, according to the best informa-
ton obtainable. A week ago. even this
idea would have been pooh-poohed out
of court. There was no chance then.
There is no certainty that these
measures will pass when brought up
as the margin is too narrow. 1t seems
certain, however. that the worst that
can happen is that either of the bills
may fail to pass for want of a consti-
tutional majority.
Seemingly to help matters along,
even the senate has repented of its
action on the one temperance bill that
it did fail to pass-the one placing the
burden of proof on the saloon keeper
in remonstrance cases.
A motion was made. yesterday. to
reconsider the vote whereby this meas
ure failed to pass the house. This mo-
tion has to be held for some time be
fore it can be acted upon. There is
no question, however, but that it Will
obtain.
compromise has been effected on
this measure. 1t Will be amended so
that the burden of proof as to sig
natures Will still remain on the makers
of the remonstrance. but the signatures
shall be prima facio evidence of their
genuineness And If the saloon man
wants to contest. he has TO put up
bond to cover the costs of the inquiry
as TO the genuineness of the signature.
Hence a saloon keeper will not con-
test any case unless he is pretty sure
that he is correct. The bill in this
form, accomplishing practically, what
the other bill did, obviates the legal
objection from the lawyers, and will
in all probability pass the senate in
It's new form.
Teachers DO Their Durndest.
The teachers are still very busy in
behalf of the $1,000 license. Hundreds
OF petitions are coming into the house
every day in behalf OF this measure.
The house passed overwhelmingly,
yesterday afternoon, the bill adding an
other member TO the different institu-
tional boards of the state This was
one Of the bills that the governor
recommended in his message, but the
bill as passed by the house had one
change that was very different from
the bill as it was introduced. 1t takes
from the governor the right to remove
present members of any of the institu-
tional boards, and gives him the au-
thority TO appoint only one member
in addition. This applies to all Of the
state institutions, outside Of the South
ern Reformatory.
The senate passed the Wood bill
giving police boards the authority to
ployed by the metropolitan boards |
from 500 to $40 a month The latter
amount is fixed as the maximum and
the local boards are TO be the judge |
as to whether or not it shall be paid. |