Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1886-03-27
OUR RICHMOND LETTER,
RIcnMoNp, w, March y, lsso.

Martinsburg has had such an exciting
episode in her own history since left, that
have felt that a letter from such a remote
point as Richmond would hardly be read.
Now, however. that the local excitement
has subsidized, / will fulfill my promise to
write occasionally for your excellent pa
per.
The two principal topics which have for
several weeks occupied the attention Of the
Richmond public, and still continue to do
so, are the Knights Of Labor and Local
Option.
The organization wearing the title Of the
"knights Of Labor. has made its power
felt in this community recently. They use
the boycott very skillfully, and so far,very
successfully. Their first attack was made
on the Haxali-Crenshaw Touring mills and
was in the nature of protest against con-
Wet labor. This firm had been using bar
rels made at the penitentiary. Although
one Of the largest and wealthiest concerns
In the South, IL nevertheless succumbed.
after several months experience with the
boycott.
Just at this time the organization Is try
ing its hand on Baughman Bros, Printers
and Stationers. Their offence is in employ
ing non-union men in their printing Office.
The conflict Is not yet ended They hayea
weekly paper which enjoys quite large
circulation. Some effort was made by the
business men to arrange a system Of arb-
tration by which differences between en-
ployers and employees might be smicably
adjusted, but nothing has yet come Of It,
LOCAL OPTION.
The last legislature passed general To-
cal option law by which, ON petition of one
fourth Of the qualified . oters OF any magis-
teria district or corporation, special
election may be held to determine the ques-
ton Of license or no license for the sale Of
Intoxicating drinks. Already from yari-
Gus portions of the State news comes that
the fight has begun, and very soon the en-
gagement will be general. Tue growth Of
the prohibition sentiment In the State has
been something surprising. Five or six
years ago the request of the anti-liquor
element for an opportunity TO vote on the
question was laughed at. In the last cleo
ton the platforms of both parties had a
plank, pledgng the passage Of such law.
When the matter came up before this leg
lature there was considerable disposition
to shirk the real issue, TO cripple the bill
by hostile amendment, etc, but very soon
the public ciamor became so loud and dis
tinct that opposition practically ceased.
1t remains to be seen how far legislation
Will remedy the confessedly great evils
growing out OF the use Of strong drink. The
liquor men are forcing the fight in Rich
mond, having petitioned within the past
few days for an election. The exciting
times of the Atlanta campaign will soon
be reproduced here. The Temperance peo-
| pie have decided to secure III possible the
services of Senator Colquitt, Rev. II. NJ.
Wharton, Rev. DR.. 1. Is. Hawthorne and
other distinguished speakers, so that Rich
mond will be pretty lively for while.
CONGRESS-
Our Baptist friends Of this State have
been very much interested In recent ses-
sion of their "Congress," at Danville. The
title is used in its strictly genealogical
sense I. e. "a coming together" 1t is not
legislative body but simply meeting of
preachers and lawyers (not to swap ser
mons, as the old joke has it, butt to discuss
various living and vital questions. The SEES
sion was largely attended and the discus
sions were very fine.
Danville Is beautiful little city with the
spirit Of improvement noticeable every
where. 1t has more pretty residences and
grounds than any town of its size OF my ac-
quaintance. Its per capita wealth is con-
siderably above the average. Tobacco is
its staple, and the country around is the
far-famed bright leat-region.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Richmond is all agog over the exploits
OF an enterprising burglar who seems to
wear charmed life. He has been shot at
repeatedly with pistols and double-barreled
shot-guns but 50 far has eluded arrest.
Meanwhile he has succeeded in wounding
very severely one of the most efficient
members of the police force.
The weather here has been simply charm
ing recently.
You will pardon me for adding 10 this
letter the statement that my Martinsburg
friends are always afectionately remem-
bered. Personal correspondence with them
all being impracticable, hope that when
they read such uninteresting letters as /
may be able from time to time to send
they will remember the unworthy writer,
who herewith sends them one and all
hearty greeting. CHATHAM.
N. B.: Since the above was written the
enterprising burglar has been arrested and
now languishes in the city jail en- route