The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-12-20
With Fourteen Votes From the
Democrats, Party Will Save
Temperance Measure. 1t Is
Declared.
ONLY FOUR WILL VOTE
FOR PROPOSED REPEAL
Thought Last Indiana Vote
Did Not Mean That People
Repudiated County Option
As Was Declared.

indianapolis, Dec. 19.-Democratic
members of the lower branch of the
next legislature who are opposed to
the repeal of the county option law
have been told, 1T is said, that the re-
publicans of the house will present
practically a solid front against the
repeal of the law. 1t was this word
from the republicans, it is understood,
which led eight Of the recalcitrants
to get together at the Denison hotel,
early this week, to plan campaign to
keep the law on the books.
The word which comes from the re-
publican camp is that not more than
three or four of the republican repre-
sentatives will vote to repeal the law.
In fact, 1t is said, the republicans are
almost willing to pledge that if the
democrats can muster fourteen votes
in the house the county option law
will remain intact, so far as that
branch of the legislature is concerned
Thus far the republican represen-
tatives have not counted noses on the
county option proposition, but accord
ing to Representative Luman K. Bah.
cock. secretary to Governor Hanly,
this is one of the questions which will
come up at the meeting of republicans
of the house, which will be held at
the state house next Wednesday, Dec.
e3.
Basis Of Estimate.
Mr.. Babcock already has discussed
county option with a number of the
representatives and he declares that
he has not found one who will vote
for the repeal of the law. In addition
to Mr.. Babcock's personal investiga
tion, other republican friends of the
measure have made diligent inquiry
and the belief is expressed that there
will not be more than four. if that
many. who with vote to kill the law
In arriving at conclusions in regard to
those who have not been approached
personally on the subject, the repub
licans have taken into consideration
the communities in which the various
republican legislators live, the general
disposition of the men themselves S
and the attitude held by their prede
cessors In the legislature toward the
county option bill.
During the special session of the
legislature. four republicans of the
house-Schreeder. Geiss. Condo and
Keller-voted against the bill. Oi
these four. only Schroeder will be q
member of the next house. 1t is TAX
en- for granted that Schroeder will
vote for the repeal of the law.
Thirty-six Favorable Votes.
It is not believed that more thar
three others will favor the repeal. Re
that they will have thirty-six votes
that will remain firm for the option
law. Therefore, if they can get four
teen democratic votes. county optior
is safe unless 1t shall be molested b,
the senate
There is only one thing. it is be
lieved, which would cause many o
the republicans to leave the count,
option banner and that would be the
ConCluSfoH tHdt the Nole III Inulans
in the last election should be taker
as a reputation of the statute. All o.
those who have been approached per
sonally by Mr.. Babcock on the subjec
have not expressed the belief that the
liquor question had much, if anything
to do with the defeat of the republi
cans in the last election. and it is TAX
r., for % nfh 1otr
will look at it in the same way