The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-11-15
Thc srofFett Liquor Law.

Messrs, Editors: A few days since re-
ceiycd by mail circular. addressed to tue
Iiouor-Dcalers Of the State OF Virginia,
from Fl. J. Myers, president OF the Liquor
Dealers Protective Association, requesting
me to become member.
I do not take the trouble to decline. LII
quor-dealng may be, or may not be, an
honorable occupation. / do not discuss the
question. :,
The object OF this circular, as stated in
one of its clauses, is to secure the signatures
OF at least 5000 citizens (who are to be
members OF this Association) to petition
to the next Legislature to repeal the Mohett
liquor-law. Now, here is to be regularly
organized force arrayed against law when
meets with the hearty approval CT three nitns
OF the voters and nine tenths OF the other cltl-
zcns OF the State. Shall they succeed IN
eyading the law, or in abrogating 1t, or IN
rendering it nullity, by some c'lnnlnglY'
| devised amendment?
We do not, here in Virginia, wish to en-
act any pharisaical Maine law on the SUB
iect. But in this Nioflett bill we have nm
honest law for an honest purpose, when
will effect just as much for that special %.
| ject Of Maine liquor laws, without any cam
or loudmouthed professions on the suDlect;
will effect Just as much, il what this FRO
tective Association proclaims through rs
president and Executive Committee be true
And il their declaration be true, then u Is
matter for the most sincere rejoicing tllat::
while making no professions TO De1rleno
the "laboring classes" this law Will prove
sheet-anchor in rescuing them IN suci
great degree from temptation. !hey say
"under its operation the retail price OF al
liquors has been materially changed, wh,ie
at the same time any credit to those VINO
have not the ready money to pay IS necessa
rily broken up, thus entaillnS at once !
large loss OF custom to the trade ana Grea
inconvenience to the public, especially {,
the .laborinc classes,' who receive theil
wages by the week or the month, ana nave
not the means to pay as they buy"
Now. 7 wish every one who desires the
welfare and Improvement Of the "laborina
classes as conceive every intelligent man
must. ii only from selfish motives, anC
every one who desires greatcrSccurity OF per
son and property, would look well at thi:
clause. Accent the liquor-dealcrs'a OWL
declaration land surely they are shrewC
enough to know the truth in this matter)
and Judge OF the result.
I am not aware how great proportion OF
the ." Iaboring classes wages is spent before
| it is received for liquor. | have seen Stats
tics on the point, but have none at hand
| But feel well assured that thousands VII
90 to their homes Oh Saturday night will
hearts full of Joy and hGaying with graft
| tude to this benign law that has taken iron
them the power OF spending their wage:
through the week for liquor, and compelled
them to keep it unbroken till Saturday
And why? All, well. How many Il man
will think-"Ilere, l have all this for thu
comfort of wife and children. Before,
was compelled to treat, and now wife shall
have it; now l am free to do with it a;
/ will.
1t is not necdiu to 60 further. Every
good heart can draw the picture, and wha
desire Is, through your paper, TO beg the
| good citizens OF every town and county II
the State to go right to work and get up d
contemplation to the Legislature to main
tain the position already won. and see to II
!lIat not five thousand, but fifty thousand
names may 90 to the next Legislature pray
ing that no backward step may be taken
! Urge that as this measure cannot result IN
aught but good to the State treasury and
the poor mans pocket in its very incep'
ton, according to the showing OF its most
interested and bitter opponents, so 1t vii
also result in constantly acceleratlnS the
discharge of the State debt, as the poor
man grows richer the more he is refused
credit by the bar-kecpcr: and as he
grows richer, more property to tax Will Sc
cure q lower rate Of taxation.
| Let all good men. rich and poor, form
protective association to save the " laborine
classes" wages from the till OF the dram
seller, for the comfort OF their families anc
the building up of tsejr ns0perty and for
tunes: to aid all in escaping from thi:
onorouS taxation by making taxable value:
50 abundant that taxes mag go down to thu
minimum and save ourselves and the State
Il. y. S.