Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-04-30
Benefits uf Prohibition.

Editor Vindacator.
Thanks for your offer to open your
columns so that both sides may be treated
on the question of ''license or no license. :"
By request of the temperance voters in
Virginia the legislature has taken the
temperance question out of politics, and
the great question at issue is shall license
be granted. Prohibition seeks to trust no
party, and will not trust anything or any,
body outside of the saloons, and those in
terested in them. But it will not allow
ana part4 or politician to trust it, without
resenting the insult.
The question can and should be settled
outside of party lines, and on its naked
merits. but if logged and bounded by
partyism, it has the strength and grit to
cleave its aUay to triumph in defiance OF the
combined liquor opposition Of both parties.
ALI your readers want are solid facts of
the great good it has done and is doing
for the counties in the different States
where it has been tried, and they will
rise in their might and expell the demon
from our city and county. Now for some
facts, as given by the Vice President of
the First National Bank of Newman, Ca,
on the 22d of March last he wrote as fol-
lows:
J. FL. Kllpsteir,, Esq, Buchanan, IA.
Dear Sjr:-In answer to your letter of
the 10Th instant, addressed to the Mayor
of Newman, will state, that [ am May
or, and have been since 1883. the Prohibi-
ton law having been adopted for this
county (Corsta) by popular vote in July
of that year. had formerly opposed it,
fearing it would not produce the good
effects hoped for. The law took effect in
January, 1884. Since then crime of every
grade has decreased, and for the Is years
preceding it's adoption great many hon.
icides had occurred, nearly every one
caused in first instance or provoked by
liquor. For the years it has been in op-
Grafton 1.-THE law there has not been
case of homicide in the courts, and crimes
of every grade have decreased to one
fourth its previous record. Our Jail roll
has also fallen down to one-seventh of
what 1t had been previous to the adoption
OF the prohibitory law. The people have
prospered. too. in that they have gotten
out of debt Ito any serious extent) and
have improved their homes, schools, and
churches. This place itself has been
greatly improved, adding to its churches
buildings renewed) by volunteer sub.
scription (all not paid s25 900 90, and the
business and private property Eas been
prOpOrtiOnately improved, and business
has been to the merchants greatly more
satisfactory and reliable; and the taxes
have not been increased by its adoption.
Property is higher and finds purchasers
when put on the market, at full prices.
Drunkenness and drinking has decreased
nire-tenths of former quantity. Men who
opposed on business or conscientious opln-
ions, have seen enough of it's good effects
to acknowledge its wisdom. The dlstll-
lerieS were not allowed to sell in any
quantity in the county, or deliver except
to the railroads to be shipped out OF the
county, and the law has been closely OBJ
served. The people now seeing their way
more clearly, desire and intend to stop It's
manufacture even by government distlls
leries ia the county, and have them
closed as matter of county pride, and to
make it complete by allowing 1t admins
tered only by physicians in their sworn
practice. Not withstanding any reports
to the contrary, Prohibition does prohib-
it here. l will state that the population
of this city is 8 900 people, not including
suburbs outside the corporation line. The
county votes $500 and it's population is
$4,000 (round numbers). The counties of
Carroll, Heard, Campbell. Troup and
Merriwether, adjoining this, after seeing
it's working here, have adopted prohlblto-
ry laws and are pleased with it's workings.
take great pleasure in giving you this
information and hope your people in their
wisdom will adopt Prohibition. 1 remain
very truly, &c.,
Your Obedient Servant,
W. B. BERRY,
Mayor of the City of Newman.
With your permission I will continue
these facts in your next issue as reported
from the counties in Maryland, that have
had no license for years past.
Very Respectfully,
LOCAL OPTION.