Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-09-29
To the Public.

| EE persons, being under the i'm
AVE- preston that, although a member oil
the Temperance Association, | permit the
sale of intoxicating liquors at my public
house on Back Creek-making no efforts
to prevent it-and the charge Of being
glgingty inc consistent, having been fire.
qnently brought against me, | take this,
by no means pleasant method to state in
self defence, to those who may not be a.
ware of all the circumstances or the case,
that ! have always been unsrilting my pro-
perry should be used for that purpose /;
that /. therefore, bound my present tenant.
to keep a house OF priuate entertainment !;
and yet, in spite Of all my exeriions. be
obtained iicence at the last term of The
county court, to sell intoxicating liquors
BY ordinary. To prevent this event, | did
not rest satisfied with ordinary exertions,
but went SO far as 10 hand into the Court,
while in session. a memorial, praying them
to refuse my tenants request. and stating
IN The plainest terms, that he was bound
IN articles Of agreement. 10 keep a house
of Pirate Entertainment that be had
heretofore, kept, and, ! believe, would,
again, keep an establishment injurious TO
The community. Part of the Court. fur
thermore, were well aware of the charac
ter Of said establishment, from observation;
and several of them were Informed before
they took their seats on the Bench, of the
character of the house, formerly kept open
by the applicant, through the Commission
er of the Revenue ; who took occasion to
state, that bis attention had been directed
10 that matter previously in the perform
ance Of his duty, and that he had full evi
dence Of the cisordefly character Of the
establishment 10 question. What better
evidence did the Court requirep None.
The fact is, in my humble opinion, they
betrayed the high trust reposed in them,
as Public Functionaries. They trampled
under foot my private rights, as a citizen
of this Commonwealth, and treated me as
though had neither the right. MOI mental
ability 10 dispose Of Wy property. 10 this
state of things, | can keep silence no long
err. IL is in vain for me TO attempt TO con
tro! my property, if the Court, reckless of
all justice, continue to give my tenants
power TO break the obligations Of their
leases at their pleasure.
The Constitution guarantees 70 the citi
zen, a freedom from interference with pri
rate contracts; and yet gentlemen of that
Court, pay no attention 10 a contract de
clared TO exist between me aud my tenant.
They are required TO certify, when they
grant license for a tavern. that they be
Iieve the person, who is about TO obtain it,
will keep Il " useful" and orderly house.
Did they beliere this; aud could they con
sciencsousiy certify itP
am determined TO apply to the proper
tribunal for a redress of grievances ; for,
if the Court continues TO act upon the
principles the gentlemen r%eferfed TO at.
tempt to establish, what will become Of
my rights, and the morals, and peace of
the community? There is room for re
form-and the public look for, and have a
just right TO expect it; and if ii is notsoon
commenced. the people of this county will
find themselves in a deploTable condition.
The public's ob't servt.
JOS E.. SNODGRASS.
HEpGEsvK.LE. Sept. %. 1886
MOTEL would seem bound to give the names
Of those Justices who made the order Of which l
complain, that suspicion might not rest upon 9TH
er members Ct the Berkeley County Court, not
present; but being informed that part OF the last
Court W ere not in favor Of the measure, in Jus
tice TO them, l Withhold them. J. e. 3.