The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1909-12-28
]. w. KERN TALKS OF POLITICS
Famous ndanian Tells How He Was Double Crossed Says
Doesn't Believe Democrat Can Be Elected President


cause ! do not follow him in all things
is nearer to the hearts and con-
sciences Of the voters in his party than
any man I have ever known, but when
he runs the threat of a business panic
defeats him. Neither he nor Judge
Parker had any idea Of attacking prop
erty, but property beat them"
You have said that the brewers
must keep their hands out Of the DEM
Ocratic politics in indiana"
THE business Of the brewers is to
make beer and sell it." Mr. Kern an
swered, but they have undertaken to
control the government and legislation
of this and other states. We had IL
cense law under which saloon in a
city paid about $3.50 into the general
and local public treasures. The sa-
looms were owned by individuals, who
were required to go before the com
missioners of the counties and give
bond to maintain orderly places and to
pay any damages caused by their bust
ness. In order to increase the sale Of
their own brands Of beer, the brewers
began to get control of the saloons, OBJ
tanning licenses in the names of their
hostlers and other irresponsible per-
sons. Then they began to NEEDLE with
politics, helping to nominate and elect
democratic candidates for the legisla-
ture in democratic counties and repub-
lican candidates in republican counties
If a county were doubtful there was a
division of the money between the two
political parties.
by and by an attempt was made TO
increase the saloon license to $1,000 a
year. Had the brewers been wise they
would have confined their activities to
the manufacture OF beer, but they tried
to be statesmen and spent money to
defeat the suggested legislation. The
people, knowing that every saloon was
the center Of political work and agi-
tation, took a pretty solid stand
against the greedy brewers. The
democrats met first in state convention
and adopted a resolution declaring for
township local option.
when the republicans met, nothing
else being left. they Endorsed county
local option. J. Frank Hanly, govern
or of the state an earnest mana
crank, some say--called the legislature
| together right in the middle of the
campaign last year, drove a county To-
/ cal option bill through the house and
senate and now three fourths OF In
diana is as dry as a desert. Yes. an
swering your inquiry. I have said that
the brewers must keep their hands out
of politics. Brewing is one of the spe-
cial interests that assumes the function
! of lawmaking for it's own benefit"
Defeated by the Brewers.
Il have been informed" I said. that
the brewers prevented your election to
the United States senator"
That is true The democratic news
papers and voters of Indiana favored
my candidacy-the files of the news
papers are open TO any one and the
voters can be sen and questioned. For
ty-four democratic members of the leg
islature openly gave me pledges of
their support-their constituents re-
quired it. Forty-two votes were all I
needed When l seemed sure of the
nomination the brewers suddenly mani
tested a lively interest in the situa-
ton. 1t was proposed that the demo-
, Gratis. meeting in caucus, cast a secret
ballot I understood what that meant
pledged members of the legislature
could vote for the brewers candidate
whoever he happened to be, and no one
would know it. Eight men were pur-
; chased and the secret ballot went
through. 1 received SO votes. and Ben
: jamin f. Shively, attorney for the
brewers, was nominated. And yet
|, there are forty-four men who vii
make affidavit toda ythat they gave me-
their support. l cannot prove bribery
: on any one. but I think 1 kzow the
names of the eight men who were
bought up
rs the law still a good profession
= for young .nen?" I asked, desiring II
: get tb> practical opinion of one of tn.
busiest and most successful lawyers Il
the central west.
oh, yes. If the young man has an,
8 talent in that direction. Lawyers now
|. adays, howeer, must know all abou
t their business. The Jews, who ar
5 business men by instinct, have com
q int the profession, and are rapid.
y getting to be leaders at the bar in al
J. of our commercial and industrial cen
Of tersr