Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 81, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 June 1909 — Judge James S. Dodge Decides for Liquor. [ARTICLE]

Judge James S. Dodge Decides for Liquor.

Judge James S. Dodge, of the Elkhart circuit, has held the county option law of Indiana unconstitutional. William Fiedke was arrested for selling liquor without a license.-He kept open after June 23rd, three months after the local option election by which Elkhart coqnty was voted “dry.” State Senator Robert E. Proctor, head of the liquor forces in the past legislature, assisted by Lou W. Vail, argued that as the law was proclaimed November 20 it did not effect Fiedke, who obtained his license November 8. Robert Proctor contended that the county option law was unconstitutional in that the title of the law does not embrace the subject of the act; that the law is not uniform in application and operation throughout the state and that the duty of the legislature is illegally thrust on the people. The constitutionality of the law will be tested in the supreme court in a few days. The court recently announced that none of the local option cases would be acted upon until after the vacation term, which be-' gins today, Monday. At the close of the vacation it is expected that the court will take up the option cases.

Mr. H. S. Hayner, expert piano tuner and repairer, of Chicago, is in the city. Your patronage respectfully solicited. Leave orders at Clarke’s jewelry store.