Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-03-21
HOW PEOPLE STAND.
YNTERvrxws WITH wErL-KN0wH
CITIZENS AZ 10 HOW THEY WILL
VOTE ON LOCAL OPTION.
BUSINEsS-MEN'S VIEWS
Very Few Of Them in Favor of
Making Richmond a
"DU Town"

past has been engaged in getting from
all the Businessmen with whom he
could meet expressions Of opinion on
the local-option question. The usual
interrogatory was, "Are you in favor
of granting licenses or note" Many
were found who were evidently OPP
posed to licenses. and they said as
much, adding, however "Please don't
quote me. Don't put my name in the
paper; ! haven't anything to do with
the thing" With only here and there
an exception those who are opposed to
local option were found perfectly will
ing to be quoted. With many who
rather favor licenses there seems . dis
position to demand Of the liiuor-dealers
a promise to close their bar-rooms on
Sundays.
OPINIONS OF BUSINESS PEOPLE, &C.
Mr.. Meade Haskins am opposed
to local option and shall vote against it.
So far as I am personally concerned, it
would make but little difference
whether any liquor was bought or sold
in the State, but l think the law of
local option is wrong in principle and
injurious in practice.
r. II. NJ. Harrison, druggist, Fou-
shee and Broad street: am not pre-
pared to say, as the subject requires
consideration. / would like to see a
rigid enforcement of the Sunday liquor
law.
T. j. Todd: I think that all the
saloons on Broad street and the suburbs
of the city have their back and side
entrances open and sell liquor on Sun
day regardless of the law. This may
induce me and many others to vote
against issuing licenses. / am in favor
Of higher licenses.
Mr.. jeff. Thomas: | am against it.
Let the people drink as much as they
want.
Mr.. Frank Burke: am opposed to
local option, because it will not suppress
intemperance. j am temperate man.
take q drink when | want to, and
want others to have the same privilege.
Mr.. r. II. Wills: l have not fully
decided yet. / think that | shall vote
for it.
Mr.. Robert J. Mcdowell druggist /:
shall vote against it, and am in favor
OF letting all people use their discretion
as to whether they shall drink or not.
Mr.. l.. b. Thomas druggist: shall
vote against it. am a temperate man.
If q man wants to drink, let him
drink; if he takes too much, punish
him for il.
Mr.. ID. Buchanan Geweller): | am
undecided whether | shall vote for it or
not. Have not made up my mind.
Mr.. A. Fisken (dry-goods merchanb
| have no vote.
Mr.. d. Rose (dry-goods merchant :
| do not know how | shall vote.
Mr.. Louis Belle boot and shoe
merchant) am bitterly opposed to it.
Business is dull enough without agi-
tatIng local option.
MIR. Chr. Unkel (tailor): Yes, sir, |
am against it. l am for tine freedom
of the people.
SUNDAY LIQUOR SELLING.
Mr.. &C. Walter GewelleD l shall
vote against license. | have seen the
evils Of it, and frequently | have seen
large numbers Of young men enter bar
rooms on Sunday during worship.
While | was sitting 10 church few
Sunday nights ago a friend of mine
found fifteen-year-old boy of his in a
saloon.
Mr.. Alex. Werst confectionery:
am opposed to local option and shall
vote against it. am opposed to die
tatipg to people as to what they shall
do. If man wishes to take a drink,
let him do SO. | am for the freedom OF
the people.
Mr.. d. Columbus confectionery: j
am for the liberty of the people and a
free country and believe in moral sua'
sion.
Mr.. Sam Cohen, of Cohen Brothers
81 am opposed to it on general princi
pies. One special reason is, / am sat
isfed that it will injure our transient
trade, as l have heard hundreds say
they would not stop in a dry town, and
| know | would not"
Mr.. W. S. Sublett hardware: | dc
not bother with politics. Will answer
when the time comes.
Mr.. Henry Wenzel motions and trim
mings): | am against local option anC
do not believe in people being pro
scribed.
Mr.. G. ii. Constable, Of Constable
Brothers, gentlemen's furnishing goods
| do not care to express an opinion.
LET'S SETTLE THE THING.
Mr.. Charles Hutzler will sign I
petition to vote upon local option a
as early a date as possible, my inten
ton being to vote against it, and as
believe a majority of the citizens viii
be found voting upon the same side
This will settle the question, and agita
ton will cease.
Mr.. William Mitchell, of II. T. Nil
Ter & Co. am opposed to local option
because think the rights Of the CON
munity would be thereby abridged All,
trade injured.
Mr.. W. II. Tatum. grocer: / thinl
when the time comes | shall vote fJ
temperance. ! do not care to give rea
sons.
Mr.. +. Mitteldorfer, Of Z. G. Mittel
dorler d Co.. A: | am against local op
ton.
MIR. May, Of Jacob May & Son l ar
against local option, and believe in let
ting everybody exercise their own dis
erection in such matters.
Mr.. Selden, OF Selden & Timberlak
hardware: ] am against anything tia
will affect the business interests Of thi
city and that will injure its CONNER
cial interests.
MIR. b. f. Tinsley boots and shoes
| have not given the matter suflicien
thought to say whether it is right o
wrong to stop the sale Of whiskey a
this time.
Mccarthy & Haynes (grocers): It'll
a matter about which much can be sal
upon both sides.
DON'T WANT AGITATION.