Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-06-10
For the Free Press.

Mcssrs. EDIToES:
The law Of West Virginia
regulating the liquor traffic is as stringent, per-
hapS. as you will find in any Of the States II
fixes upon the Liquor Seller certain conditions
that compel him 10 be exceedingly cautious as
to the sale Of the article and aims TO prevent
that abuse to which the traffic is subject. He
cannot sell to a HlROr; neT to a G,I'l trhO IS IN
he habit Of getting drURk-noy on the Sabbath
day. He is put under bond to observe these
conditions and it being proved that any Of
them is iufracted, his hceuS3 is Immediately
forfeited. So far 50 good, we say-of course
we must take il FOR granted that the gentlemen
ENGAGED in this delectable business are too law
abiding 20 break Il, even though it be by the
back door; for every man is adjudged innocent
in the eve Cf the law until he is proved guilty.
Moreover, the law jiscriminates as to the par
ty who obtains license. Ii makes it hang up
on character. The person must prove his sta
tus morally, 60 be fair or good. 1t makes the
Board Of Supervisors the Judge Of this charac-
ter auds6Cy are to say whether the one apply
ing is such. They unquestionaHy have the
discretionary power lodged in them to say
whether such applicant is morally fit. l take
10 90 be the case that the Supervisors are to 60
behind the outside show Of character and, if
possible, get at the inward principle or stami-
ma Of The man, for hold it TO be true, that II
& man Is destitute Of moral principle and would
avail himself Of the many Subterfuges and
would sell 20 a minor or on the Sabbath, or to
one who gel o'ri1ik-S0ch man in the eye of
the law cannot set It's permit and the conserve
tors of the peace should withhold it. Then,
too. IL seems reasonable TO me to suppose that
the Lawmakers in their original intent meant
the executors Of their will to have regard to
Public Opinion. We have no IDEA that they
elected to Office on the popular basis designed
their servants to ignore the same great princi-
pie Hence l believe il is right and in accord
auce with the spirit Of the law which is found
cd on the popular viii, that the Board of SUI
pervisors must respect the moral sentiment OF
wish Of the people, aud not force upon them
am CjH0Ti0yS character engaged in an obnox-
i0us business, or uuGuly and unnecessarily
multiply the number OF those engaged in a ira
fc which they 10y respectful petition or protest
seek 90 prevent. 10 is, / think, q mistaken
idea, Il Tie Board Of Supervisors entertain it.
tlat they axe under pcrcmptory orders to grant
license 20 everybody applying; that they are
I 60 ttfN LN lN1"t" 90 t1O tiaVldl etutlAuIhlo VI
the people; that they are 90 lave no discre-
tooary power in Tie premises and despite
every othec consideration they are to pour iuto
tie treasury an tic revenue it is possible to
gather, thought be at the expense Of the tears
Of widows the signs Of orphans the desolation
Of homes, the wreck Of character, and attended
by murder, apiue and vice Of every form.
Let not the men who have cone into Office
under the new regime hold and practice such
monstrouS doctrines. REFORM.
Clarlcstown. May -, 1871.