The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-01-09
County Commissioners Set the
Date After Long Forenoon
Session Which Was Largely
Attended.
LIQUOR ATTORNEYS
MAKE VIGOROUS FIGHT
Henry U. Johnson Argues With
County Board, to No Avail,
That Election Should Be
Held at Late Date.

netU dl Idle UdlGs
February was selected by the
county commissioners this afternoon
at about o'clock as the date for the
special election to determine whether
the liquor traffic will be continued in
Wayne county. The procedure will
be conducted along the lines prescrib-
ed by the local option law. The COM
missiOners have named A. l.. Feem-
ster, an attorney at Cambridge City,
~ representative of the petitioners
and John C. Bayer, of Richmond, as
representative of the opposition, who
will form the board of election COM
missioners in conjunction with the
auditor.
Session Was Animated.
This action was decided upon after
m animated session of the board. The
lobby that was composed of advocates
of both sides crowded the room and
encroached behind the rail- Attorneys
for the liquor forces and petitioners
were on hand and made strong pleas
for their clients. Representing the
liquor element were Henry u. John
son and William H. Kelley. Wilfred
Jessup presented the argument for
the petitioners. Others among those
present spoke.
The agitation resolved itself into a
discussion of the Interpretation of the
law regarding the length of session
OF the commissioners court. Jessup
claimed today was the last day of the
regular session according to his con-
struction of the rules of the commits
sioners. Johnson and Kelley pointed
out the fallacy of such view and con-
tended the commissioners have the
right to adjourn their session from
day to day as they may see fit. John
r. Robbins, county attorney. was ask
ed upon this point by the commission
ers and stated the right to hold ad-
journed sessions lies within the dis
cretion Of the commissioners and they
may do SO, If they SO desire
No Gain by Haste.
The representatives of the liquor
forces plead for time. They pointed
out that nothing is to be gained by
hasty action and something can be
gained by delay. They proceeded up
on the theory the legislature will re-
peal the local option law. and if such
be done any election held under the
present law will become invalid. The
commissioners were told little delay
will save the county $4,000 in the
event the present law is repealed. By
delaying the matter the commission
ers can hold off from calling the elec-
tion for date previous to March 2.
Johnson's Statement.
Speaking for the saloon interests,
Henry u. johnson said:
Some citizens are asking that the
election be not called at this time.
take 1t for granted the law is well un-
derstood and concede 1t to be within
the jurisdiction Of the board to call
the election at any time during the
present session it may see fit. You
can fix it on the very last day of the
term. II you want to. but you must
order the election at some time 1t
rests within your sound discretion
solely. You may make an order be-
fore the county council votes the ap-
preparation to cover the expense of
the election, but you can not enter
into any contracts or go to any en-
pense until the appropriation is made.
Saloons Are Defended.
"The petition does not ask that the
election be held right away. It is as
silent as the grave on that point. You
will comply with your duty. if at any
time during this term YOU make your
order. What reason is assigned why
you should make your order today
What good cause is there? Is there
any local condition that would Justify
It? Was there ever time when the
saloons were under stricter surveil.
lance? They are not headquarters
for crime nor a rendezvous for burg.
lars. Commonly speaking the lid is
on and the violations of the law are
reduced to minimum.
Low Methods Not Used.
There is absolutely no need for in
decent nor Incorporate haste. No
body asks or insists that the vote shall
not be called for Ultimately. There
has been no attempt to secure a re
straining order The attorneys have
not stopped 10 any low methods oi
litigation in order to bring about a de
lay. We have set forth no claim o1
the unconstitntionalits of the law. We
have not sought to put any barrier In
your way at all. The great body ot
voters is composed of sensible men
who are not easily led TO extremes
Merely an honest difference of opin
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