The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-09-24

indianapolis. Sept. 24.-By the very
closest vote possible, the county local
option bill was saved from death in
the house this morning. The vote
was 40 to 81 on a question Of indef-
initely postponing the measure. One
man by changing his vote could have
made it tie. Two democrats by vot-
ing against the program of their party
saved the bill. for four republicans
voted against 1t. The four republi-
cans were Schroeder and Geiss, of
Vanderburg, Condo of Grant and John
son of Vermilion and Vigo.
Great Excitement.
The vote was taken amid tremen-
dous excitement though it had not
been preceded by the usual speech
making, due to the republican plan of
tabooing oratory at this stage of the
proceedings.
The galleries and aisles were pack
ed with men and women, many of
them part of the white ribbon army.
Almost every republican of state
prominence was on hand headed by
Congressman Watson. The latter
spent thirty minutes in an effort to
persuade D. c. johnson of Vigo, that
he should vote with his party, but fail
ed.
Downey, of Shelby county. made the
only speech preceding the roll call.
He Is probably the most forceful
speaker on the minority side Of the
house and was listened to attentive
ly as he declared that there is no occa-
sion for the measure being brought up
at this time. Not another remark
was heard until the roll call was al
most concluded, when White arose to
speak. He is a democratic member
of the committee on public morals, but
had been expected to vote for the bill.
He had refused to sign minority re-
port for postponement and likewise
refused to sign the majority report
for the passage of the bill.
1t was reported about the lobbies Of
the hotels this noon following the ad-
Journment OF the house of represen-
tatives that Representatives Meeker
and Keller had been won over by the
enemies of the county local option
bill and tomorrow when the bill comes
up for second reading and amend
ments an amendment will be offered
TO strike out the enacting clause.
According to the current rumor
Meeker and Keller have agreed to vote
for such an amendment. If this is
true and the present lineup of the
house members is not otherwise
changed, the amendment will be car
ried, which means the death of the
BILL The county local option bill
comes up for passage Saturday morn
ing.
1t is probable that the special session
OF the legislature will come to a close
Saturday night The republican
members plan to rush the session to a
close with minimum of oratory.
Saturday the Night Riders bill, the
vincennes University bill and the ap-
preparation bill will be disposed of.
Republicans Confident.
Republicans fighting for the bill had
all confidence early today that it
would not be postponed The situa-
ton from their stand point had never
looked so satisfactory since the spec
ial session. Billingsly. Bowlus and
Keller of Indianapolis, had been
brought into the fold and only Geiss,
Schroeder, Condo and possibly John
son Of Vigo. remained outside. The
bringing over of the recalcitran1s had
taken place In the last two days Not
until yesterday afternoon was 1t as
sured that they were right, at last.
The one thing regarded as most ef-
fective In bringing about the change
was the shrewd move OF the state or
ganixation In putting an Anti-Hanly
man In charge OF the bill in the house
John Edwards. The three men nam
ed as being brought over are "antis''
In : naggressive way. They
h&y0 ~ men like Edwards and