The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-01-09
OPTION ELECTION
IN WAYNE COUNTY
ON FEBRUARY
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ion exists. Now what reason can be
given for the necessity of speed?
Charges Coercion.
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Charges Coercion.
"Will any chances be lessened? TIL.
men most concerned have means ant
property involved. They are engaged
in business. And then, why shut out
sentiment by hasty action? Why shut
out discussion by reducing the time
1t is done with an idea to coerce the
legislature by rushing through these
elections. 1t is done in the hope the
legislature will be so moved by the
results that it will not repeal the law.
Is not that prostitution Of the law?
Do you desire to impress your legis-
iators? Your senator is open in his
declarations favoring the retention OF
the law Your joint representative
has said repeatedly he favors the law.
Your representative has already voted
for 1t, and that shows pretty well how
he may stand.
Predicts Law Repeal.
II am told as soon as you order this
Election the county council will meet
and make the appropriation. Now
ought any $4,000 or $500 be expended
upon an uncertainty? The legislature
is democratic and the members re-
Gently elected are pledged to repeal
this law. l am told four holdover sen
ators will vote for a repeal. If the
law be repealed. you could save the
county ali this money. What harm
can be done by delay? Harm may be
done by haste.
Jessup's Statement.
In arguing for immediate action UP
on the petition by the commissioners
Wilfred Jessup said:
Il agree with Mr.. Johnson some
matters of discretion are left to this
board. but | do not agree as to when
the time arrives to make the order
The petition was circulated in plenty
time to have presented it during the
December term. It was decided to
wait. however. and it was not placed
on file until December 81. Under the
rules of the commissioners court
three regular sessions are designated
as the first Monday in each month. the
first Wednesday after the first Monday
and the first Saturday after the first
Wednesday. The petition was present
ed formally the first Monday 1t was
continued until today, which is the
third session. This means it must be
acted upon today. You have had all 81
the time YOU. need and all of the time
allowed by law. lam not backed w
by men invited to come here and CO
cree the board. 1t is your duty under
your rules to mass -aon the matte,
now. II the les repeal the
law. any elactinass der it will be
void. But j don't believe Indiana
will be the first legislature to repea
county option law There are eight
holdover Democratic senator's and they
are not pledged on. the last election tc
any repeal.
Denies Ne u Prohi.
Il do not stand before you men. as
q prohibitionist. You men know that
II ] want a drink. / drink, and il
want lie" m my home have Ii
there. ear here for the petition
ers and the decision is up to VOC. Per
sonally ! have no doubt but that this
county will go dry by an overwhelm
ing vote. am as confident the Law
will not be repealed as / am that
shall get back to my Office. YOU
duty Is defined by the statute. The
petition II complete Ia every way AMI
your duty IN mzndatory. believe
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