The freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1886-18??, 1886-08-18

8. An ex-Sal0Onkeeper remarked
that the improvement in a for
mer customers old dray horse, had
made deeper impression on him
than a dozen Temperance lectures
could have done.
8. Although much liquor is still
being consumed in the city, l have
yet to hear the first man assert that
Prohibition is a failure, The old
argument that Prohibition is a
failure, because you can't keep
people from getting liquor if they
want it, can scarcely be of any
force in Charleston, hereafter.
l might give many little Incl
dents, illustrating the benefits of
no-license; but the above will suf-
fee. l might speak word of the
violations, evasions, &C., that for
the present prevent it being per-
feet success.
/. A number send off and pur-
chase liquor at other places.
2. Some saloon keepers are i'm
porting beer and other drinks, and
delivering it to families in the
city pretending, however, that the
sales are not made within the coun-
ty of Kanawha.
3. Some have effected club ar
rangements, by which they hope
to evade the law, and secure their
drinks conveniently.
4. 1t is feared that some Of the
drug stores &4re "coveting an evil
covetousness," and selling more
than the health of the people de-
mands. Their WHISTLES are adver-
tised in large, bold type, special
prescription blanks are printed,
and some doctors allow their pa
tients to prescribe their own med
icines- when they want whisky.
5. There has been some directly
illegal selling, and there is a gen.
eral impression that it is increas-
ing, of late.
Thus it is that we hear OF some
drunkenness now and then, in diff
ferent parts of town. But it is moth
ing, as compared with what it was
before, as the police records clearly
show. 1t is evident that those
who obtain liquor, drink much
less, as rule, than they did before,
and that those who drink to drunk
enness, are kept more from the
public view.
The great question is, can we de-
pend on our officials to do their du-
ty? Thus far, number of them
are worthy of special commenda-
ton, and are honestly disposed to
enforce the law. But they will
not think hard of me for saying
that some of them have moral
weaknesses, that will tend to en-
barrass them in vigorous prosecu-
tions, and prevent that public con-
fdence so essential to the main
tenance of good laws. Our Coun-
ty Court seems anxious that the
law should be enforced, and is
taking steps to use whatever au-
thority it may have, to that end.
The prospect is that while our
present officers continue, there
will be a tolerably satisfactory en-
forcement of the law. 1t is hard
to tell, just yet, what effect
the coming political cam.
paign will have on the workings of
our Prohibition. Some think that
partisan Prohi bition will be bad
for it. But the great danger lies
in partisan Republicanism and
Democracy. The former seems to
me necessary, in order to counter
balance the effects of the latter.
However, the probabilities are that
there will be a real non-partisan
pull-altogether, to secure no.
license County Commissioner. I
don't believe anything can make
the people of Kanawha county lose
sight of their Prohibition at this
time. But that which would
come nearer doing it than anything
else, would be for the straight-out
Prohibitionists to keep still and
meekly support whatever temper
ance or halfway temperance can
didates the old parties might acct