Jasper County Democrat, Volume 13, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 August 1910 — COLUMBIA CLUB FILLED WITH WOE [ARTICLE]

COLUMBIA CLUB FILLED WITH WOE

Republican Mayor Tells Republican Club Its. “Blind Tiger” Business Must Stop. ANSWER IS EMPHATIC “NO” Will Senator Beveridge, as Member Uphold Law or Countenance Illegal Sales? (Staff Correspondence.) Indianapolis—There is gloom In the ■teln-room of the Columbia Club—an exclusive Republican organization in the shadow of the Soldiers and Bailors’ Monument here. Samuel Lewla Shank, Republican Mayor of Indianapolit, says the Columbia Club is selling liquor without a city license and that it must either take out a license or quit. He virtually calls the club a "blind tiger." W. N. Harding, president of the club, admits that liquor Is sold there but says in effect that it’s none of the city’s business. He says the club has a government license and defies the mayor to do his worst. The club will not take out a city license. Senator Beveridge is a leading and distinguished member of this olub and the question has arisen here whether he will support Mayor Shank in enforcing the law or wifi uphold President Harding in maintaining the “blind tiger.” It is a matter of common knowledge and discussion here that the Columbia Club sells liquor without a city license. Undoubtedly Senator Beveridge has known of it during his long membership. His friends do not like the predicament in which he is placed by the present publicity. Mayor Shank has sent his city license inspector to the club with the information that it must take out a city license or quit the liquor business. In this stand he Is hacked by James A. Collins, Republican Judge of the Police Court. , In this situation the truth of the told saying, "it depends on whose ox is gored,” is made manifest. It seems that In this one particular case there Is such a thing as “personal liberty" and the howl that has been raised in this Republican club can be heard from Michigan City to Evansville. In the building occupied by the club there is no floor on a level with the street. The saloon laws require a saloon to be in a room at the street level. Obviously this Is impossible at the Columbia Club. The saloon laws also provide that no saloon shall be established within 590 feet of a church. Christ church adjoins the Columbia Club. Rather an embarrassing situation, eh? Mayor Shank says he means “fight." The club has got to get a city license or quit selling liquor. The club says It won’t take out a license, and, anyway, it can’t, under the law. Now, where does Senator Beveridge stand? He holds membership in this club and eftjoys its privileges. Here’s a real, vital liquor question. What has ths Senator to say? Will he answer today? Will he answer tomorrow? Or will he put it off until after the election? Or will he ever answer? These are questions that agitate his friends and likewise those of opposite political belief.