USA > Indiana > Hancock County > History of Hancock county, Indiana; its people, industries and institutions > Part 38
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"Resolved, that this institute stands pledged to the support of the Little- field-Carmack interstate commerce bill, providing for the submission of inter- state liquor packages to the laws of the state to which they have been consigned."
In 1900. when it became evident that there was danger of the repeal of the county local option law, our agricultural people again went on record :
"Resolved, that for the preservation of the sacredness of the home in Indiana, for the sake of sterling manhood of the fathers, and in defense of the never-dying love of the devoted mother, and for the preservation of our sons and daughters, that we are opposed to any institution or business that degrades the home of human race, therefore we demand that the county local option law be permitted to remain on the statute books until it is given a trial."
In 1910 they again expressed their convictions :
"That. as husbands and fathers, who love our families and our homes as we love our lives, we are steadfastly and forever opposed to any custom, law, institution or business, whose tendency and effect is to debase and degrade the children of men, and as the abolition of the saloons in Hancock county has removed from our midst one of the greatest evil influences that lead men astray. we are unalterably opposed to the repeal of the county local option law and demand its rigid and impartial enforcement."
410
HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
On March 7. 1908, the Willow Horse Thief Detective Company adopted the following resolutions :
"Whereas, the temperance people of Hancock county are now engaged in a determined effort to subdue the liquor traffic by preventing the granting of any more saloon licenses; be it
"Resolved, that we, the members of the Willow Horse Thief Detective Company, No. 196, in regular meeting assembled, March 7. 1908, send greet- ings and good cheer and pledge our support. both morally and financially, if need be, to this glorious work."
In 1908. Civic Leagues and Good Citizens' Leagues were organized in the county to keep up a crusade against the liquor traffic. The citizens. churches and ministers all took an active part in the work of the leagues. AAmong the hardest fights waged in the county were those by the leagues against Arch Duncan, Richard Hall and others. A great deal of bitterness was developed and many ugly things were said of each party by the other. Evidence was introduced before the board of commissioners to show that inducements had been offered especially to some of the poorer people to get them to sign the remonstrance or to execute "powers of attorney" as hereto- fore indicated. Charges and counter-charges were made, and when the attorney for the applicants was charged with having misplaced the remon- strances, it looked for a time as though there might be acts of violence in the court room.
In September, 19c8, the county local option law was passed. Immediately after the holidays petitions were circulated in the county for a county local option election. This petition was filed with the county auditor on January 30. 1909, with over two thousand signatures thereon. The election was ordered for March 5. 1909. There was a thorough canvass of the county by both the "wets" and "drys." Four thousand, four hundred and thirteen votes were cast in the election, with the following results :
"Drys" 2.851
"Wets" 1.559
"Drys" majority 1.205
All of the precincts in the county cast a majority of "dry" votes, with the exception of the third precinct in Brown, which had a "wet" majority of three, and the seventh precinct in Center, which had a "wet" majority of seven. As a result of this election, the county was "dry" for a period of two Years.
4II
TEMPERANCE.
In the meantime the county local option law had been repealed and townships and cities were made the units. Under the later law elections were held in Brown, Center, Sugar Creek and Vernon townships, and in the city of Greenfield, on March 28, 1911. The result of these elections was as follows :
Townships
"Dry"
"Wet"
Brown
300
217
Center
187
Sugar Creek
212
183
Vernon
333
291
Greenfield
520
600
This again left the entire county, with the exception of the city of Green- field, "dry."
In the spring of 1913 it became necessary for the "wets" in Brown and Vernon townships to circulate petitions in order to have other local option elections held. This was done and a sufficient number of names was secured in each township. Elections were held on the second day of April. 1913, in each township, with the following results :
Townships
"Dry" "Wet"
Brown
227
123
Vernon
353
250
The "wets" having won the election in Greenfield in 1911, it became necessary for the "drys" to circulate a petition in order to procure another election. This was done with the following result at the polls on May 2, 1914 : "Drys." 585; "wets." 637.
During the summer of 1914 the "wets" secured a sufficient number of signatures on a petition in Sugar Creek township and an election was ordered to be held on September 23. 1914. The result of the election was: "Drys." 278; "wets." 127 ..
Under the local option laws the entire county, with the exception of the city of Greenfield, has been "dry" since 1909.
After the entire county had been "dry" for two years the city of Green- field on March 28. 1911, voted "wet." The council, composed of Henry R. Fry, Frank C. Gibbs. James N. Goble. John V. Rosser and Isaac W. Wilson. at once took under consideration an ordinance for closer government of the liquor traffic within the city. and on April 5. 1911. the following ordinance was approved by Ora Myers, mayor :
412
HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
LIQUOR REGULATIVE ORDINANCE ADOPTED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD ON APRIL 5. 1911.
"An ordinance to license, regulate and restrain all shops, inns. taverns and other places where intoxicating liquors are kept for sale within the city of Greenfield, and there to define the resident and business districts of said city and provide for penalties for the violation thereof and repeal ordinance and parts of ordinances in conflict therewith.
Section 1.
"Be it ordered by the common council of the city of Greefield. Indiana. that it shall be unlawful for any person to retail, barter or give away or keep for any of such purposes any intoxicating liquors within the city of Green- field without first procuring from said city a license so to do and then only in compliance with the provisions of this ordinance.
Section 2.
"Before any license shall be issued under the provisions of this ordinance, the applicant shall have previously procured a license from the board of com- missioners of Hancock county, Indiana, and shall exhibit the same to the clerk of said city, and shall pay in advance to said city the sum of Five Hun- dred Dollars as a license fee. Upon complying with the foregoing provisions. a license shall be issued to such applicant, signed by the mayor and attested by the city clerk, which license shall entitle the applicant to sell and retail. barter and give away such liquors for the term of one year from the date of the issuance thereof. and then only in compliance with the provisions of the ordinance.
Section 3.
"The room where intoxicating liquors may be sold at retail. bartered or given away in pursuance to this ordinance, shall be a front room on the ground floor of a building facing upon a public street : said room shall have a glass door or door and glass window or windows in the front thereof. next to said street, which shall be kept clean and transparent at all times, so as to give an unobstructed view of the entire interior of said room, to one looking into said room from said street ; said room shall be provided with sufficient light to afford one looking therein to have a clear view of the entire interior of said room at all times; there shall be no side or rear entrance into said room except such as admit directly into said room from the public street. alley or the interior of the building or from the exterior of a regularly operated
413
TEMPERANCE.
hotel, and then only when such hotel immediately adjoins said room; there shall be no side, rear or other room used at any time in connection with said room where sanl liquors are hereby permitted to be sold. bartered or given away or kept for such purposes; except a regularly operated hotel adjoining said room ; all doors and entrances from any such side, rear or other room, except a regularly operated hotel adjoining said room shall be at all times securely locked and fastened and no person allowed to enter or depart by way thereof : there shall be no stairway leading from said room to any other room or place above; that the licensed shall have the right to use a base- ment beneath his saloon for storage purposes and for no other purposes.
"There shall be in said room no screen, partition device or construction of any kind which obstructs a clear and full view of the entire interior of said room from the street in front thereof at any time of the day or night: there shall not be permitted in said room at any time any chairs, seat, table, music. musical instrument, slot machine, dice box, dice, playing cards, gam- ing device, game or amusement of any kind, or any clevator, dumb waiter or speaking tobe provided; that stools may be kept behind the bar for the sole use of the barkeeper and owner: no person shall be employed as bar- tender or be permitted to act as such in said room who is in the habit of becoming intoxicated or while in a state of intoxication; said room shall be securely closed and locked and all persons except the proprietor thereof, or a member of his family, shall be excluded therefrom during all days and hours the sale of such liquors are prohibited by the laws of the state of Indiana. All liquors sold, bartered or given away in said room shall be delivered at the bar, which shall be located in said room at a distance not exceeding ten feet from the front door of said room. It shall be unlawful for the pro- prietor of such license to deliver any of such liquors at any place in said room except at the bar thereof. (As amended, February 4, 1914.)
Section 4.
"No intoxicating liquors shall be sold at retail, bartered or given away or kept for any of such purpose and no building, room or place shall be kept or maintained for the purpose of selling any such liquors at retail, or for barter- ing or giving away the same, except within the boundaries of the business portion of the city of Greenfickl. Indiana, and then only in compliance with the provisions of this ordinance.
Section 5.
"The business portion of the city of Greenfield. Indiana, for the purpose of this act is hereby defined to be mcluded within the following boundaries and not elsewhere :
414
HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
"The south boundary thereof shall be the north line of South street in said city, the east boundary line thereof shall be the first alley east of East street in said city, the north boundary line thereof shall be the south line of North street in said city, the west boundary line thereof shall be the east line of Pennsylvania street in said city.
"The entire remainder of said city is hereby defined to be the resident and suburban portions of said city and no licenses shall be issued for the sale of any such liquors therein.
Section 6.
"No intoxicating liquors shall be sold at retail, bartered or given away. and no building, room or place shall be kept or maintained for any of such purposes within two miles of the corporate limits of said city of Greenfield. Indiana.
Section 7.
"None of the foregoing provisions of this ordinance shall apply to whole- sale liquor dealers who sell such liquors exclusively to licensed retail liquor dealers, nor shall the same apply to duly licensed druggists or pharmacists.
Section 8.
"It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to keep for sale at wholesale any intoxicating liquors or to keep any building, room or place for such purposes or for the storage of such liquors intended to be sold at wholesale, within the corporate limits of the city of Greenfield, Indiana, and within two miles of such corporation limits, withont first procuring a license from said city so to do.
Section 9.
"Upon payment to said city the sum of two hundred dollars by any person, firm or corporation desiring such wholesale license. said city shall issue to such person, firm or corporation a license in like manner as retail dealers only, any such intoxicating liquors for and during a period of one year from the date of said license and no part of such license fee so paid shall be refunded by said city under any circumstances.
Section 10.
"It shall be unlawful for the proprietor or any such wholesale liquor license to permit any intoxicating liquors to be drunk upon or about the premises where liquors are kept for sale at wholesale.
415
TEMPERANCE.
Section 11.
"Any person, firm or corporation keeping for sale, bartering or to be given away any intoxicating liquors which are kept in the building, room or place for any of such purposes, in violation of any of the provisions of this ordinance, shall upon conviction or plea of guilty be fined in any sim not exceeding one hundred dollars or each offense, and upon failure to pay or replevy such fine and the costs of such suit. such person shall be impris- oned in the county jail one day for each dollar of such fine and costs.
"All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed.
"This ordinance shall be in full force from and after its passage and due publication in the Greenfield Daily Reporter."
PUBLICITY.
In the last elections in Sugar Creek and Vernon townships, the petitions had to be filed by the "wets." The names of the petitioners were published as news items in the local papers. It was illuminating to learn how many men "had not expected the names to be published." Many humorous stories were soon afloat of what happened when the wife and children learned that father had signed that petition. Whether all such stories were true or not, it was evident that many men who signed the petitions were ashamed and unwilling to have their families and neighbors know about it. Publicity was found to be a powerful agent in purifying the life of a community.
PRINCIPLES FUNDAMENTAL.
The long crusade in the temperance cause has at different times created strong feeling among the people of the county. Bitter words have been spoken and hard things have been said of each faction by the other. Prin- ciples have been forgotten and personalities have at times occupied the arena. These things have, no doubt, been unavoidable with a humanity that is not yet perfect. During the last local option campaigns, however, there has been a tendency on the part of all to wage the battle on cleaner and less vindictive lines. Possibly the lesson has been learned that it pays, and that it makes for strength. In many of the earlier campaigns the columns of the news- papers were filled with personal invectives that had no effect except to preju- clice and stir up bitterness. As set over against this method of campaigning the principal articles used in the last campaigns are inserted herein. They are arguments designed to appeal to reason, and are absolutely free from all personal matters.
416
HANCOCK COUNTY. INDILN.A.
The first statement was issued by the "wets" just before the election in Greenfield on May 2. 1914. and was scattered over the city. It is, no doubt. the strongest argument ever issued in the county in behalf of the hquor traffic. It is strong as a positive argument, but it is infinitely stronger for the manner in which it diverts attention from the vital matter at issue in the liquor traf- fic. It is based on principle, however, and is illustrative of what has just been said :
"LOCAL OPTION ELECTION.
"Tax Payer. Voter. Citizen, you are interested in the following thoughts. facts, and figures .- May help you some in exercising the Great American Privilege intelligently .- Prejudice and Sentiment aside, you want to do what's best for your own and your city's interests.
"FINANCIAL.
"Greenfiell has a little over $2.250.000 taxable property. According to law a city may go in debt and issue its bonds therefor, to the amount of 2 per cent. of its property, or in our case. $45.230.
"We have issued, outstanding and unpaid bonds $35.000
"Electric light plant 15.000
"Total indebtedness $50.000
"Or $5.000 more than permitted by law. Of this debt Greenfield pays in interest $3.cco annually.
"Understand. we are making no complaint and have no objections to this. Greenfieldl has about everything in the way of public utilities that any city has, and good at that. but they all cost money.
"Where does it come from? H'ho pays the bills?
"Listen! The tax levy for our city last time was 58 cents on the hundred. When added to Township. County and State, we have a total tax levy of $2.99 on each hundred dollars, one of the highest for cities of our size and class in the state.
"This year's levy, 12 cents for Corporation, produces $2,713. one-half of which is available next July, other half next January.
"On hand last report S4.68;
"Half from levy July 1.356
"Total $6.043" "
417
TEMPERANCE.
"The fixed salaries of officers and employees alone amount annually to $5.coo, saying nothing of all other employees and expenses, which amounts to several thousand dollars.
"Smallpox Epidemic, or whatever it may have been, has been costing the City Sioo per day for the past thirty days. Again we ask :
"Who pays the bills? Where must the money come from?
"Six saloons have been contributing $500 each, or $3.000
"For electric light and city water. $too each. or 600
"From their six homes, approximately 400
"Or a total of
$4,000"
"Now a comparatively small number of tax payers, without consent or knowledge of the city or its officials, without even consulting them as to the wisdom of such action would not only withhold this $4.oco from the city. but have imposed the additional expense and burden of holding another election.
"FOR WHAT PURPOSE?
"To close saloons. Very well. Then this shortage must come from some other source.
"City officials are not to blame because the Corporation Fund would run short. They figured on receiving this money and made the levy accordingly.
"Only one thing to do. Increase the tax levy, and of course increase taxes. This Sounds Good! If $2.99 isn't high enough make it $3.90. What's the difference? Who cares for the expenses? The property owners live to pay the bills.
"Anything else? They would vacate six good business rooms, How bringing good incomes, depreciate their rental value one-half, and depreciate the value of the whole block, building or property in proportion.
"Social Clubs .Again! In these same rooms they would have a cheap restaurant or two (soft drink joints ). a few more pool rooms or bowling alleys, and in one or two a nice, stylish 'Social Club."
" 'Social Clubs,' you know, are very popular in dry territory. Have you forgotten our 'Social Clubs?' Don't you remember how Mayor Myers, just for recreation, used to go out occasionally. raid a 'Social Club' and return with a dray load of barrels, boxes and tubs and things? How they were stacked up in the Court House and guarded with jealous care until the con- (27)
418
HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
tents were emptied into the sewer and all the innocent little fish in Brandy- wine made intoxicated ?
"We don't expect our argument to appeal to those who have no prop- erty interests here, and who contribute little or nothing to the support of our city and her improvements and institutions in the form of taxes. But we think you who own property and who have made Greenfield what she is. should remember this.
"ELEMENTARY BUSINESS TRUTH.
"For any city to have a very high tax rate is a poor advertisement. High taxes keep out the investor. High taxes cause the owners of property to throw it on the market, anxious to sell. And a city where everybody want- to sell and nobody wants to buy presents indeed a deplorable condition.
"NOTHING ACCOMPLISHED.
"Now what would be accomplished by the closing of saloons here ? Indianapolis, only 20 miles distant, with a half dozen breweries and a theu- sand wholesale liquor houses and saloons, interurban cars every hour in the day and half the night, some of which would be known as 'Evening Suit Case and Jug Specials.' 'Blind Tigers' and 'Social Clubs.' Do you honestly believe Greenfield would be very dry." Do you?
"PHILOSOPHY.
"Abe Martin says: 'You kin allus tell a dry town by the sugar barrels around the depot.
"Under the present arrangement, and it's a good law for the protection of citizens, if a saloon keeper causes a man to become intoxicated, and he or his family thereby injured. they have an action in damages, not only against the saloon keeper, but his bondsman as well.
"If he sells to a minor the law hokls. But if that same man, or that same minor sends a few dollars through the mail to wholesale liquor houses, they can have delivered to them by express their bottles or jugs of liquor. get intoxicated, get themselves and others into trouble, and you have abso- lutely no remedy. Which condition would you prefer ?
"Oh! But our opponents say: 'The excessive use of intoxicating liquor ruins and wrecks the lives of men and women and destroys happiness and homes.'
"The excessive use of drugs does the same. The social evil is worse than both, and must you go down in your pocket, must you give of your time
419
TEMPERANCE.
and substance, must you lay higher taxes on your property in a vain and use- less effort to improve the habits of your neighbor who resents such efforts as unwarranted interference in his personal affairs?
"A CASE IN POINT.
"A good and well meaning man took a seat in a passenger coach one day. glanced across the aisle at another passenger and noticed the fellow had no nose. Curiosity got the better of judgment. He arose and sat down beside him with the observation: "My friend. I see you have lost your nose.' 'Yes." said the other. 'I have lost my nose.' 'Might I ask,' said the meddlesome one. "how that happened?' 'Oh, sure! That came from sticking my nose in other people's business.' Profound silence.
"One never engaged in a more thankless business than when he attempts to act as guardian for another when uncalled for and unsolicited. Moreover in a free country where every man's privileges are equal to every other's he refuses to be forced, driven or coerced, and when such methods are attempted it only results in driving him to resort to any trick or scheme to defeat the object and purposes of the one who interferes with his personal and private business.
"So, good friends, if you feel that your personal habits are, or should be, the standard for your neighbor, if you feel that he should eat and drink when and what you do, and feel that you are called on to see that he does so. take our advice : don't force, drive or coerce him; if you can't reach him by argument, kindness, reason, education and the 'personal touch,' abandon the job. because you can't do it the other way.
"NOW IN CONCLUSION.
"Under the present high license and well regulated liquor laws we have «lone away with pool and billiard tables, music, lunches and chairs. \11 shades and screens have been removed. We open and close on legal hours. Close on Sundays and all holidays. If we violate your laws your officers are on duty, and your courts are open. If you desire us to refuse your friend or relative, who unfortunately may not know how to use liquors, notify us and your orders are respected. Yet we feel that we should not be held responsible should he obtain his supply from another source.
"Under such conditions we feel that we are entitled to continue our business. We are your friend and neighbor. We are tax payers, house- holders and owners of real estate. Here we have lived for years, here our children were born and grew to manhood and womanhood. No complaints : no charges filed : 10 violations of law : no indictments ; no crimes.
+20
HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
"May we not then appeal to you for fair and just treatment? You. the Voter, shall decide; and so when the little white ballot drops softly and silently as the snowflake from heaven falling upon the sod. yet executing a free man's will as lightning executes the will of the Master. with confidence in your intelligence and judgment we believe your vote will be for a square deal for your fellowman. AAnd we shall respect and obey your verdict what- ever it may be. MANY TAXPAYERS."
Following is also the statement issued by the "Drys" in Sugar Creek township just prior to their last election on September 23. 1914. This article was published in the Greenfield Daily Reporter on Saturday evening. Sep- temper 20. 1914. and a copy of the paper was sent to every voter in Sugar Creek township. It is a "temperance argument," otherwise it is drawn on lines similar to the previous article. All personalities are avoided and an effort is made to present the issue on its merits :
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