The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-05-30
4 MOVEMENT IN FAVOR OF ORDER.

the Board of Town Commissioners on Mon
appeal to the Board to use means sufficient
to restrain the turbulent and lawless ele-
ment which so often outrage decency, NOR
atty and law in our streets. The commit
tee of Ministers asked the Board to appoint
n sufficient police to compel obedience to
the laws, and maintain order, quiet and
decency. Rev. Mr.. Skinner was selected
on the occasion to address the Board and
present the request of the Christian COM
munity which they represented. We have
been furnished copy of the Memorial
presented on the occasion through the
kindness of the Secretary to the Board:
MEMORIAL.
To tie Commissioners Of Elkt0n:
MIR. CuAIRMAN-We, the subscribers,
desire respectfully to call the special atten-
ton of the Authorities of the borough of
Elkton to the discrcditable state of morals
existing in the town. and TO urge your
interposition in the shape OF measures OF
repression, so far as may consist with your
powers.
The disorders almost daily and nightly
to be witnessed in our streets, especially IN
the most public part of the town, and toll
Grated for a long time past. are such as are
not only unworthy of the ancient centre OF
civilized community, but they should be
impossible in any Incorporated town.
But it has become SO common to see
drunken men reeling about our thorough
fares, staggering, brawling, and offering
ythy lst ,Ia, Itx,
and indecent conversation ale so open and
unblushing, that the sufferers from these
grievances have grown hopeless of change
for the better and are vainly trying to
endure with stolid indifference that which
seems inevitable.
Besides these intolerable evils, horses
and vehicles are driven through the streets
at reckless rates of speed, animals hltched
on the street sometimes encroach on the
sidewalks and vciously interfere with pass
ers by; while, worse. yet, rude youths and
urchns are permitted to add with IMMUNITY
their share to the general confusion by foul
or profane language, by quarreling, wres-
Ting, fighting, and loud cries and calls,
and by invading private premises.
This is the ordinary condition of affairs:
on election days and holidays it is teufod
worse; whilst in addition, the firing of guns
and the torturing explosions of fire works
rack the nerves of the sick and enfeehled
and distress the ears even of the strong.
1t is, of course, needless to remind the
Town Authorities that this state of things
in the mass, if not in every detail, is con-
tray not only to the spirit, but to actual
provision of the act of Incorporation and
the Charter, while nearly every one Of the
evils specified is in direct violation of exist
ing ordinances.
In view of all the circumstances it would
be surprising if our town were not as many
affirm it to be, in bad repute abroad; but
what is vastly more serious, the demoraiiz-
ing effects of this condition of things upon
the youth and coming generation of the
community, is plainly apparent IN their
recklessness, freedom of manners, and gen.
eral license. 1t would be hard to find a
town of the age and pretensions of Elkton,
where young people of both sexes are less
restrained, and where they are more ex-
posed, by day and by night, to the worst of
influences.
Without adverting further to the pre-
vailing disorders, we wish to direct your
attention particularly to what we consider
the chief causes of them. First, as the
fruitful cause, we must emphasize the
drinking saloons existing here in such inor
dnate numbers; each one, with hardly an
exception) centre of mischiefs, most of
them frequently being scenes of more or
less carousing. and all of them together
mainly responsible for the violence and
brutality occurring in the streets.
In addition to this, several of these estab-
lishments are reported to be commonly
accessible to drinkers throughout the Lord
day until late hour Of the night. and If
citizens did not allow themselves to be
overawed by the vendors of ardent spirits,
we believe that this could be established as
fact by reliable testimony.
Another source of disorder is the utter
inefficiency, or rather the actual need, of a
! police. 1t is simply impossible for one
bailiff to maintain order in village con-
tanning thirteen licensed bar-rooms, and
| where, under the shadow Of the Court
House., excess and riot, are legali-ed.-
Twelve trained policemen would have full
employment here on certain occasions; and
on any Saturday throughout the year, there
is occupation for half of that number,
We content ourselves with merely this
brief statement of crying evils, which we
make in the public interest, to the Com
missioners, as the legal guardians of the
peace, security and good order of the
Borough; leaving to your own wisdom and
SeHSC vi ltSpOiiS!DlllGJ ~ tSNISS SPSN'iil'
some effective means for securing those
ends.
We, who represent here the high inter
ests of Religion and. Christian morals, and
seek to realize our responsibility TO God
for their welfare in this community, con-
tinually find that our hands are tied by the
unchecked license now permitted, and even
fostered, by imperative statutes and ordl-
nances.
We present ourselves before you, to ask
the present relief which it is in your power
to give; and in return therefor TO assure
you of our hearty cooperation and moral
support, in any practical efforts that you
may make for the restoration and mante-
nance of good order, and we are convinced
that you would likewise have the approval
of all right-minded citizens.
Signed. ELIJAH MILLER,
Pastor of NJ. Z. Church.
". ". HEBERToN,
Pastor of Presoy teIian Church.
w. BALLARD,
Pastor of the Catholic Church.
II. 4. SKINNER,
Paotor Of u'r;,;ix, Ciurnh EEiSrpD1l