Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1880-03-08
HOUSE OF DELEGATES,
RICHMOND, Va Moroh 5, 1880.

DEAR SIR have purposcly rtiraiued from
taklog action upon tho Aexa ndlia local option
tlll, because | wished to let tho matter be first
thoroughly canv0ssed in the city, that might
a:c rtaIn the exact condition of public cent?,
| ment upon the subject, and be put in possession
oil the reasons that might DO urged for and
against The legislation propt ID, as we'll as TO
consider the question OF tho probable etfcc. of
the measure upon tho business interests Of tho
city and its revenue and that of the Common.
| wcallh. L have given this matter the full aud
careful consideration which it's imporlarc', and
the iact that it is asked Tor by nearly 100 of
my people, entities it to, and | am decidedly of
opinion that tho bill ought not TO pass. 1t seems
to me that l would not be Justified 10 putting
upon the statute book o law which, if adopted
by the people, would seriously impair, if not
quito destroy, the business and values of nv
oily, and deprive the Slate of $4,000 Of it's
rcveruo and the city Ct about S. 600. Not o..
ly this, but am inclined to think that prohibi,
tory liquor laws arc of very doubtful proproty
and cxpodlclc}. as they never yot have been.
and ln tho nature OF things, never cau be-, c.r-
| rlcd Cut in their letter and spirit, bu. are OIL.
ways eVadcd aud rendered nugatory by the
practice of clandesline dealiog 10 liquors which
IS suio to follow the adoption CT such laws. Tho
sale OF intoxicating liquors and the drinking of
them will in all probability, continue Till tho
eLd Of time. and it would appear that, instead
OF making ctfCrls, wbicI must rove 10, fl cual,
to stop 1t by Legislation, it il the part of wisdom
10 recognize the status of affairs and mitigate the
evils OF drink IS much IS possible By licensing
Inc sale OF liquor under the restrictions and linz
ltaiions OF the present carefully prepared and
we'll considered license law 1 shall, therefore,
II the Oil Is reached this session, move to dis.
miss 1t. This conclusion embodies my best
judgmeh snd hss not been forcsd upon me.
nor have been Influenced in the slightest de-
gree by The 'censure'' which understand has
poem, IN certain quarters, put upon me because
l introduced the bill. Any ore VINO censures
nc ior introducing it does 30 in ignorance of my
dutles snd obligations az member of this House.
~ IS my dnty as representative 10 present all
pslltions anu cher all bills sent To me BY nv
constituents provided their subject matter "a
decent enc legal, and then sm =! liberty either
20 advocate or oppose them, Is think the bcs.
interests OF the community and State rcIuiro
II respectable number Oft the people Of a lax-
sndrla should unto IN sending me bill provii-
lrS tor turning King street into canal | will
lay Ii before the General Assembly, reservinp,
however, tho right to move 10 dismiss when It
comes up If l deem it an improper measure
Inns Dill came to ma endorsed By Golden LiphL
Loogs, |. .. e. T., and Was followed By peti
non, asking me to offer it, signed by nine prom
lnent citizens and business men Of Al.xsndris.
anu 10 my view OF my duties IS representa-
i've rotussl on my part to comply with their
request, would have boon ine1cussble, as The
dehefai Assembly, and not myself alone, ia to
luoge OF the propriety Of measures, and it nigh.
Dc lnat II did decline 10 introduce q bill be-
cause could not endorse its object l would be
oeptlving the Legislature o. the opportunity to
cohs'oef and pass upon that which overy other