The weekly Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1911-1922, 1911-02-23
REGULATION JOKER
How Steve Fleming Intends to Get
500 Beer License" Worked
Into the Stringent Saloon
Control Bill.

Indianapolis Ind, February, 20
Our literary governor has sent us
valentine In the shape of a brand
new state constitution. The Demo-
cratic legislative caucus, sitting as
constitutional convention,-willy nil
ly,-says we must accept the COVER
nor's before breakfast constitution
and like it. If you take the trouble
to read the pretty little effusion
which is to take the place of the
states organic law, you may find be-
tween the lines, somewhere, this tuoch
ing and tender greeting; By ours
hopefully and suggestively, I. Mar
shall, political aspirant.
The springing of the new constitu-
ton leaves us all in a pink daze. 1t
was a so-sudden bestowal. One day
we were all at sea, dumped in sound
less gloom, marooned in fathomless
woe, with constitution that did not
permit a Democratic governor to re-
move Republican from ioffice with
anything like the speed desired by
said Democratic governor. The next
day we arose to hear that overnight
somebody had slipped US a magma
charta; that Tom Marshall had read
the thing In secret partisan Demo
cratic caucus, and that Steve Elem.
ing, co-author, had rounded up the
caucus and empowered said party
caucus to act for the millions who
ordinarily would act for themselves
in the making Of a constitution.
Amazed citizens are still wondering
why all this came to pass. 1t is
easy.
Firstly, Governor Marshall is now
getting some valentine shower, him.
self from the people who denounce
him roundly for signing the liquor
mems ridiculous option repeal bill.
So it is up to him to give the good
people something else to talk about.
The half-baked constitution is this
something else.
Secondly, The democratic party
has got to have something to talk
about in the next campaign when the
people ask pointed questions about
the betrayal of the public by the
present Democratic legislature. The
Marshall substitute state constitution
is supposed to furnish the text. The
Marshall people put it out and then
sat back to watch it whirl its author
to fame and promotion.
Thirdly, Marshall needs some
thing which can be pointed to uncti-
ously as the output Of constructive
craftsmanship. He has been tearing
down, in the good old Democratic
way, and it is up to him to pretend,
at least, that he can build, if politi-
cal exigency demands it. He has been
going backward, with his party, on is
sues that are near to the people. So
in his radical hodge podge thrust In
to the states hand and called a new
constitution, he has tried to ego for
ward" Naturally, his attempts to
adance carried him far beyond reason
The question arises; will the people
leave the things that most concern
their welfare. and chase off after this
base drum and trombone constitution
al band? Will the people bow to the
will of Steve Fleming and his Demo
cratic party caucus, and accept the
too generous and too modest Cover
nor's gracious gift of constitution
run through a political pianola?
With Steve Fleming, head of the
brewers association, to write and
pass our temperance laws; with tn.
governors legal clerk, at $4,000 a
year, to write our constitution; with
Democratic party caucus to take
the place by main force of a legally
created constitutional convention
with the Democratic accounting board
to provide vacancies for Democrats
in bipartisan institutions; and de
partments; with the spoilsmen unit.
ed to throw out the old bank exam
iners to make room for Democrats
who need the money and to create new
jobs in punches, we are pretty com
pletely fixed, paternally. But it is al
very confusing.
And when all is said and done
folk really ought to give thanks thai
things are not worse.
Joker" In Regulation B;l
| Had you noted the new proposed
"joker" for the Democratic regula
ton bill9 What would you think Of
| a "beer license" to cost the holder
800 to 5000 year, How would yos
regard such q license as a substitute