The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-01-10
Tat l)eopIts e ol'''''"
Judge D. r. Magruder's Letter on Local
Option in Calvert County.
baltimore, Md, October 3, 10

BALTIMORE, Md, October 3, 1879.
/ REV. Mr.. MURRAy-Dear Sir:-Please
accept my apology for my neglect of your
letters of inquiry. | have been sick and
away from home all Summer. | have not
been able to give you the information you
ask as fully rs wished.
/ | went to the Clerk Office while at hoinc
for y few days and made extracts from cur
records, which | think make a favorable
showing, although they give but au imper-
feet showing of the benefits of the law, as
| there were always a great many cases of
assault arising from quarrels growing out
of liquor and piltering among idle negroes
+ which We're not noticed by tho grand jury,
J being thought OF too triIiins character and
the parties concerned not desiring 10 prose
cute. And as to these matters there has
been q marked improvement. We at pres
emit rarely hear of fights and much less
| stealing takes place, for those who used to
idle and lounge about drinking places not
having that inducement now, have gone to
work. am sure there is u vast improve
ment in the condition of the laborng peo-
pie, who provide much better for their fam
lilies as one frightful source of waste is cut
off almost entirely. Although liquor may
be- bought in the adjacent counties and III
Baltimore, vet | hear it is done to a much
/ less tAttuL iil'ln NsiS SUPPOSED "puIl Dt
done and less now than when the law first
went into operation. When the spirit of
opposition made some effort in the way Of
/ notification, which spirit has now died out
| in Il great measure, there being now Il most
| decided understanding that the law is to be
! carried out and a general acquiescence as to
its propriety.
/ One prominent result is the stopping OF
the habit of treating, which existed among
. ut all ,,lrh1, nlope, he
cause of at least nine-tcnths of the drinking.
/ People have not liquor before them at every
| cross road and village. The young are not
! led off and enticed. | hear on all hands the
best ACCOUNTS of increased thrift and saving;
greater comfort among the laborers and
small farmers. Although the last year OF
two were most unflvorable, tobacco being
their principal crop and the prices being
extremely low, yet | am told that among
the people III general the actual amount OF
/ comfort in their homes was az great as when
they had good crops and prices and L free
reign of whisky. Because now little or no
thing is wasted in that way. When good
| crops and good prices return, there will he
Il vast Improvement i'll the condition of our
people. But for Local Option there must
have been actual suffering and prlvatisn
among great many-for some would spend
their last cent for whisky when it was to be
| had at the stores they had to visit for their
supplies Now they 90 and get what they
! want and 90 home instead of waiting to
drink and carousc There is no thought of
the least attempt anywhere to have the law
( repealed or in any way relaxed and no can
didate suspected Of any such intention
could have the vestige of IL hope of being
elected. | know of no other law better en-
forced.
TO BE CONTINUED.
The Judges letter shows the following
/. The records Of the court, though
they make q showing i'll favor of Local
Option, do not show all its benefits.
3 License increases quarrelng and
pilfering. Local Option decreases both.
3. License increases idleness. Local
Option fosters industry.
4. License creates prodigaiity; Local
Option economy.
). License is the poor mans enemy and
the rumseller's friend. Local Option is
the poor mans friend and the rumseller 5
enemy,
i. License encourages treating at pub
lie places. Local Option destroys the
custom.
!. License spreads net for the de-
struction of the young. Local Option
removes it.
8, Very few men go out Of the county
when Local Option is in the county, and
the number grows less as the law is con,
tinued.
.. There is more want and trouble un,
der license i'll good times than under
Local Option in hard times.
10. License is weighed in the balances
and found wanting.
W, L. 5, MURRAY.