The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-01-29
Two Hours Session Was Held,
But No Definite Decision
Reached as to Course of
Action to Pursue.
Thirteen DEMOCRATS
WITH REPUBLICANS
Are Opposed to Repeal of the
Present Law and Substitu-
ton of ward and Township
Option Measure.
Palladium Bureau,
Indianapolis, Jan. 20.

Palladium Bureau,
Indianapolis, Jan. 20.
Although they remained In session
for more than two hours yesterday
afternoon, the democratic members of
the house failed to reach any definite
conclusion as to what they will do
with the local option matter. It had
been expected that the house commit
tee on public morals would make a re-
port yesterday, on the bill and that it
would be a divided report. the demo-
Gratis favoring the passage of the bill
to substitute the township and ward
local option bill for the present county
local option law. This is the bill that
was introduced by Representative
Kleckner, of Cass county, and it will
probably be reported out Of the COM
mittee ahead of any of the other anti
liquor bills that have been introduce
ed.
Hostetter Rebeiiious.
The three republican members Of
the committee, Elliott, Jay and Mad
dox. announced that they were ready
to sign a minority report against the
passage OF the repeal bill, and for a
time there was a prospect that the
democrats would get together and sign
a majority report favoring the passage
of the bill. But then it was learned
that Represe NATIVE Hostetter, demo-
crat, of Putnam county. would not
sign either report So the democrats
decided to delay the making of a re-
port until they could get together on
the matter.
The democrats of the house then de-
cided to hold a caucus on the local op-
ton question and try to find out just
where they stood. This caucus was
held yesterday afternoon in the speak
er's room. Nearly all of the demo
cratic members we're present, and
there was wide range of talk on the
subject. It developed that there are
several democrats in the house who
will oppose the repeal of the county
option law. even the substitution of
the ward and township unit for the
county unit. Just how many of these
there are Is not known definitely, but
there are said to be at least thirteen
of them.
Honan Helps Garrard.
While the discussion Of the local
option question was in progress some
one sugge sted that this would be a
good time to elect house democratic
caucus officers. The democrats had
not yet done this. Representative
Strickland. of Greenfield was elected
caucus chairman. The names Of Rep
resentative Wells, of Fort Wayne. and
Representative Garrard, of Vincennes
were placed in nomination for caucus
secretary. Garrard has all along been
recognized as the democratic floor
leader. and his entrance into the race
for caucus secretary was a surprise
to some Of the brethren. But Speaker
Honan came to the rescue by stat
ing that while Garrard has been rec.
been duly elected to that position and
he suggested that this would be a
good time to elect him to that job
This suggestion was followed, and
this took Garrard out Of the race for
caucus secretary. Then Wells was
elected.
Democratic Split.
When the talk was going on to the
effect that the democrats ought to
stand together on the local option
question, some member recalled the
fact that earlier in the day, when the
Strickland bill for the regulation OF
the foreign vote was under discussion
several democrats had voted in favor
Of an amendment that was offered by
Representative Greiger. republican. OF
Laporte county. These members. ap
parently were not tickled to de ath ov
er the reference in anything but a
happy frame of mind.
It was seen finally that the demo
Gratis would not be able to get togeth
er on the local option matter so it was
decided to give it up for the present
and to call another caucus for tonight
The members were instructed by the
chairman to give careful consider
alton to the matter in the meantime
stand one way or the other on the
Kleckner bill to substitute the town
ship and ward unit for the count.
unit. They were told to also study
the other bills that have been intro
duced to regulate the liquor traffic by
straight out repeal of the county op
ton law, the limiting of saloons &C
cording to population. high license
and strict laws for the punishment oil
those who violate the liquor laws. The
chairman said they should go over the
whole situation.
Hold Caucus Tonight.
Il Is considered doubtful however
u anything viii be accomplished in
the democratic caucus on this subject
because not all of the democrats viii
be bound by any caucus action In
the meantime the committee on public
morals will not make any report or
the kleckner BILL but will wait fol-
The result Of the caucus tonight.