The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1878-04-27
Should the County Court Grant Ii
ccnSe.
WESTON, April 2t.

am informed, and have good rea'
son to believe, that some opposition
will be made, at tae Juno Term Of tho
County Court, to the granting of Ii
ccpsI for tho salo Of Intoxicating Iiq-
uors in this county. The question is
one, which, from tho importance it has
assumed elsewhere, naturally cycitcs
the attention Of the people, and as u
matter Of course, il is no; 4 one.sided
question. The prohibitionis!s aver
Ihat refusal to grant license will pre-
vent, to great cxicnt, the evil Of
drunkenness. Nov is this c fact? Cau
any one point to time il the history
of Weston or Of Lewis county-wheIh.
it was iu time Of license "or mo.
license "--Ihnt Intoxicating liquors
could 20: be easily procured! | ven
tuTe tue assertion that when the sa.
loon keepers had no license, they sold
equally Al much, if not more liquor,
than during tho periods when they
honestly paid for the privilege Of car.
rying on business made legitimate by
the laws Of the State and Of the United
States. The reason of it all is, that
the body Of tho people are opposed to
prohibitory laws on this subject -
they do not ask for them, and il Gu
acted, they will not aid in their CO.
fOrccmsnt. Besides: saloons are nOt
the only places where LIQUOR can be
had everybody knows that; but If
We are to have liquor sold at all, let it
be done openly, honestly and above
bOard-nOt hypocritically, behind the
tar-rOOm door or in any other place OF
couccaIment. ! may safely charge,
too. and let the fnlsity or truth Of the
proposition be decided by the Judges
Of our Courts and the Prosecuting At
torncy, thst SO far as crime is concern. .
cd, whether in violations Of the liquor
lay or otherwise, it is increased, and
not diminished, by refusal to grant
license. II then, the people Do not
demand prohibition Of the sale Of
liquor lbccauso that is an impcssibilityi)
and crime is increased by refusal to
grant license, the duty Of the court is
plain and imperative. The rights oI
citizens and tho revenues Of the State,
county and town must have the FIRST at.
tcnlion Of the Court.
Now l agree that II aprOhiJi'org
liquor law could be enforced, making
drunkenness an impOssibiliiy, or cveu
checking it in the least. some goOd
nigh! result but bow absurd it is to
talk Of such thing. 1t is a nero
UtOpian idea of enthusiasts, who fail
to appreciate the magnitude OF the task
before them and who, upon reflection
(fOr they arc generally good people
would agree substantially, in What j.
atovo written.
Ny idea is Mr.. Editor, ii the Court
deem it their duty to take any action
10 the mater at all,is to refuse 10 grant
license to any except to such applicants
as keep and pay license for regular
aud well ordered hotel, or place fot
the accommodation of travellers and
their horses. Every keeper Of such 4
house would find it 10 bis benefit moi
to allow iutcmperancc upon bis prem
iscs. lie would be fcttercd not only
BY the Law itself, but by his own pc.
cuniary interests. People would not
put up" ut disOrdcrloy house
hence loss: the law would irhict severe
penalties for any violation Of its pro,
vi:ionO, and hence q revocation Of the
license itself.
1t occurs to me, [and make these
suggestions with every feeling Of res.
,pcct 10 the court, for know i. TO be
composed Of honorable and intelligent
gcntlemcn) that the course here inli.
Gated would remedy the evil complained
Of to great extent !; and might result
in bringing about the reforms dcman.
ded BY the prOhibitionists.
Yours Truly,
Fam PLAY.
The Science Of Advertising.