Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-01-03
MACON GOSSIP.
New Years Day-The Fire Fiend-LOeaI
Option Alliance - County Elections
Personals.


Option Alliance - County Elections
Personals.
MAcON, Jan. l.-Editor Morning Nescs !:
The New Year opens gaily in Macon, and
the day promises to be more universally OBJ
served as holiday than many of its predeces-
sOrs. Quite a number Of the houses OF our So
eiety people viii be thrown open for the re-
ceptiOn Of guests. This ancient and honOra-
BILE custom is an unlimited source Of enjoy
ment, If only properly appreciated and in
dulged in. But too often, in almost every
city, it terminates in drunken debauch on
the part Of some of the participants II all
our people would only learn to be soeiabIe
without stimulants, and merry without wine,
how much more elevated would be their en-
jOyments, and what a moral influence it would
have upon the lives Of the young. This is
day also for new resolves and solemn vows for
soon forgotten.
The fire fend has invaded Macon for the
past week or two, cansing immense loss of
treasure. Happily no lives have been sacri-
feed. Most of the fires were undoubtedly in
cendiary, but no clue has yet been discovered
leading to the arrest Of these 1ends. The gen.
eral opinion is that they are the work of a set
Of plunderers who infest the city. During the
winter there are number, more or less,
Of Northern people with means among
US to spend their leisure days and
II
winter. After them flock this crowd of
sharks and vampires who live by gambling,
swindling and plundering. 1t is only when
they are driven by necessity that they adopt
the latter mode. Our police have had their
eyes upon some of this gang for some time,
and they Will find themselves in limbo ere
they are aware. They are shreWd set. how
ever, having been schOOled at the great water
ing places in the North, where they spend
their summers, and come hither only when
there is no one to fleece there.
We have in Macon what is known as the
Local Option Alliance" 1t is not a temper
ance society with regalia and ceremonies, but
an association of earnest. honest, law-abid
ing citizens. Upon its roll of membership are
the names OF some of the most prominent
business men, lawyers and ministers. Their
object Is not to assail the saloon keeper or the
whisky vender, be he in the wholesale or re-
tail trade. but to create public opinion against
the traffic as a destroyer Of the public peace,
Of domestic comfort and personal health. and to
secure TO the people the opportunity to say
whether they desire this article sold as a bev-
erage in their midst. They are not extreme
men, but resOlute and fixed in their cOnvic-
tlOns that intOXicants sold as beverages are
hurtful. They appeal to the public conscience.
and are willing to submit this question to the
intelligent legal voters of the commonwealth.
In securing this second object of submit
ting the whisky question TO the voters of each
county or district. they may suffer defeat at
first in the object desired. In the first. of
educating the public conscience upon this
point, they are certain to succeed in the end.
But this object, like other great moral ideas,
must be fought for long and hard ere it is at
tanned. This is the history Of all great steps
which have advanced civilization. The work
can not be accomplished in day, and these
gentlemen SO understand the question. The
slave trade, in the estimation of public senti-
ment and in the eyes of the law, is piracy to-
day, and men caught in this nefariOus work
may be strung up at the yard-arm ofthe first
cruiser which Overtakes them. 1t was not
always thus. \ few generations ago England
and English ships spread slavery and slaves to
W XIV % lfT1Cr
are as certainly doomed as was the slave trade.
Public sentiment must be cultivated and the
public conscience elevated upon this subject,
and these men are acting wisely in the hand
ling Of this important question. For a man
no matter who he is, or what his title-whO
has an idea which appeals to the univeral
sense of right, to the cOnsciences of men, if he
persist in the inculcatiOn of such ideas. will as
certainly see them grow into healthy develop
ment as the farmer, having sOwn his seed, will
see by and by the waves of shadow and sun
shine chase each other across the waving
grain.
The last election for the season takes place
this Week-the election of county officers. But
little interest Is manifested outside Of the can
didates, as the whole question was virtually
settled at the primary held on the 10th inst.
The question of Issuing bonds, however, is to
be decided. We are sadly in need II jail,
and the County Commissioners have been in
structed by both Judge and grand jury often
to erect one Immediately. The Commission
ers have always been ready to do so as soon
as the ways and means could be provided.
They ask the privilege of issuing bonds to Sc
cure the funds to erect the jail. Many are op
posed TO Issuing any more bonds for any pur-
pose. and think that direct tax should be
levied to meet the requirements of the Com
missiOners. The election on the Sd will deter
mine which method shall prevail.
Hon. James II. BlOunt. our immediate Rep
resentatiye in Congress, has been at home
several days, called hither by the death of
Mrs. David +. BlOunt and pressing business.
He is one of the most faithful and efficient
members of the House, and Georgia is justly
proud of such a Representative. He returns
to Washington on tomorrow in company
with Hon. Nat Hammond, of the Fifth.
Our old Mayor, Hon. W. 4. HUFF, il is
thought. will resume his residence with us
again. He has given up the Markham House
in Atlanta, | understand. Macon will wei
come him back. JACK PLANE.