Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1888-03-30
sn.o.h AZ nr VIM r wilmer


Deltrtred bstore the Committee On IehHperar z
of the Senate 81 Maryland, March 20tt, 1885
Mr. Chairman aud Gentlemen Of the Commits
tEs.. According. - rangeplenis my m. j J
limited to five MINUTES, which compels an I'm i
lerfecl synopsis only. Of vast, copious and
prolific subject As public men aud private
citizens, as observing and thoughtful men
yo1 must know, rs well ~ do, that the usd
aud abuse Of Intoxicating drinks have caused
and will cause moe sorrow, and crime, aud
poverty. and debt aud broken hearts, and
suffering, and sin. than all other causes conf
bined Its evil influence extends over, peri
yades, penetraies and permeates eouniritsI
States, counties, cities, towns, villages neighI
borhoods, families and individuals. Il Is ~
coset-skeIeton in many family household
While wars have slain their thousands Viii
plaques, pestiences, mmines. earthquake
'empests. tOrnadOes, cyclones and 81 zzarol
have devastated, docimated, destroyed am
wrecked .whiskey has ruined, destroyed IN
slain its tens Of thousands II is the suhlet
which is now exercising and agitaling
thoughtful public mind all over tins va
country from ocean to ocean, North 70 scout
and other civilized nations. You have neY
had, and gu can never have, more impoI
ant subject than this brought before you
the exercise Of wise legislation. hu "a
forced upon You fearful responsibility an
glorious privilege You cannot shake on
get rid Of this responsibility. You must yo
| for submission, or against 1t, or not vote
/ all, and the results Of any one OF these der
IONS will live beyond your time Inc PEG
4 Of this State, who sent you here rs Their
reseutatives. are asking you to 90 "hat
already been done in eleven States-ano OF
States are passing through the prellmin
stages towards it-viz. to permit them 70
upon the subject Of Amending the Cohsl
ton of the State, by prohibiting the manu-
ture and sale Of intoxicating drinks nj
State. as beverage This submission
nnlv he done by securing three-htths CT
Rouses OF the Legislature; Of the rs Senat
~. If the gl members of the House OF
gates. s.: and, under our Constitution,
b people cannot vote upon an amendment DC
the next general election in 1889 Amos
months hence; and il cannot go INTO
before Nav ls90-more than two years ~
so that there will be ample time tor tho
l and preparation. The House COMMITTEE
r .niper an e b already unanimously re
ed favorably upon Bill similar to the on
fore YOU. Those of you who are ilVera'
: this Bill will support it, such rs may
s doubt upon the course to pursue should
the benefit Of your doubt TO the people,
more than Is, 900 petitioners, and te
thousands more are eoming-and, II
. this Committee are opposed TO promo
= per re. they can consistently vote tor th'
!, mission Of this whole subject 70 tae
u aud cast the responsibility upon them.
'r gentlemen, your favorable report Will be
;, imous. for the moral effect 1t will prod
But. whatever your decision may pc
y I'D influence will live aud produce us
mate fruit long after some OF US sinai
passed away and forgotten. TINS Is
pr privilege gentlemen, to drop Il SEED
whose good fruit will never end.
more than $4,000 petitioners asking
er submission of this question to the pc
IL Legislator has informed M that IN
them are women aud children. 1t W
surprising indeed if such were not Il
ny but instead of that weakening the TO
NJ effect of the petitions with me, It WI
H. crease and strengthen them, II such
we're possible hundred fold. They
Oh innocent sufferers, and their cry ana
ar. ascending to heaven, and they are
TO make the angels weep. They are
ling TO YOU, fathers, husbands, sons ane h
,'' ers to protect them; and am Wiling ID
rs their cause, your cause, our cause
st cause Of humanity your hands. H.