The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-05-27
Unmasking Hypocrisy

Each day drags further into the open the hypoc'
risy of public officials concerning the Wright bone
dry law and demonstrates the soundness OF the posi-
t,on Of Attorney General Gilliom in demanding that
the law as far as it pertains the of whisky as
a medicine be changed.
GilIjom alone has shown courage and fearless
ness.
His letter to the Governor was based on state
ments of fact. He announced that he had broken
the law himself in order to save the life OF MS little
son. He said that the Governor, after receiving an
opinion from him that whisky could not be obtained
legally in order to comply with advice OF physicians
did procure the needed medicine from friends
There is no question about the law. The fanati-
cal dry of this State and its professional lead
ership demanded that the law prevent physicians
from using whisky as medicine, even If they be-
leved it necessary to save human life.
They made it a crime to use whisky in this
manner They made it crime to possess whisky,
even for an hour, for such purpose. They made
It crime to carry it from one house to another
They provided laws which carry prison terms for
any of these acts even though doctors believed that
its use would save life.
The Attorney General Of this State boldly and
openly says that he broke that law.
He saws that he believes that the law as it
stands is murderous in its fanaticism. He demands
that every father and every husband be relieved from
the situation in which he found himself and which
brought only embarrassment but danger to HIM
self and to the Governor because Of their official
positions.
One of two things Is certain and true.
If the dry leader of this State, so powerful po'
tically that legislators are afraid to introduce
bills which offend him, really believes in this law
he will ask that the Governor and the Attorney Cen
eral be arrested.
If the law is right and meets with public sane
tion they should be punished for using illegal means
to save the lives Of the little boy and the wife
Of the Governor.
If those who declare that the law must be kept
as is really believe in it, they should have the
same courage of conviction which prompted the At
torney General to urge the amendment and swear
to an andavit charging the crime.
If the prosecuting attorney Of this county, who
says that the law will be enforced it stands
really what he says, he will file an affidavit
or will openly state that he also believes the laws
to be wrong.
Not the least service rendered by Mr.. Gilliom is
the unmasking of hypocrisy the part of public Off
Gals and dry leadership.
The frankness and openness with which officials
are ready to discuss this question gives the public
some evidence as to their courage and character.
Failure to arrest the Governor and the Attorney
General demonstrates beyond question the fact that
those who defend the present law do not believe in
1t and not ready to enforce it.
Their arrest would demonstrate in all proba-
bity, that the public would never sanction any pun
ishment and would give the next Legislature posi-
tive proof that the people want the law changed.
There be answer but the repeal Of a
law that born in fanaticism and passed in fear
and ignorance