Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1888-01-21
Letters From s.,e People.

| Dispatch, states that q petition is III
circu alton tor signatures in his county
asking Lie IT. giSlature to pass an Act
That will enable the people to vote mkt
spring between local option and high
license. Il have asked u great many but
have not vet found u man who has had
the petition presented to hlm) AMI goes
on 10 say tina, few If those who voted
for local option two years ago wolll'lv vote
to return tn the old system with all its
abuses and vices; but it is believed That
us between prohibition and a good high
license law the latter would sweep the
county, | voted for local option and
would like to say Il few things OatllS
subject not with any unkind spirit. MOI
for the purpose of provoking any con
troverSy.
believe voice the sentiments of a
large majority of The voters for local
option. when | say do not believe we
are willing to return to the DID l.cens''
system with al its vices and abuses.
We have good law now and 1t would
be folly indeed to exchange it for the IL
cense syStem-higll OF lOw-ant TINS new
plan hasn't a feature in it tn commend
it over the old. think whena ll The cir
cumstanceS are considered, The locl!
option law has worked well and has IN
QuestionaIlya ccOmpliSlcda vast deal ol
good. | shy this with Il full knowledge
of the violations of the law considered.
NoalvWate " tins law. claimed that it
would be kept inviolate. The vote that
overwhelmingly carried it in three dis
tricts, was Il loud remonStrance against
the abuses and vices of the whlskcy
trade. We put its execution where II
belonged. We introduced no system OF
rs, ,ionagc. made 10 threats but simply
trusted in the majesty of the law, and
the Democratic, law abiding spirit OF
the people. And whereas all has not
been accomplished that we had hoped.
vet we are convinced that local option
is the most enectual barrier tha; can be
employed against the vices and abuses
of The wliSkcy traffic.
We have Il prohibition law against
gambling, vice in every sense us cor.
rupting and pernicious 10 morals us the
rum business: yet how few are ever i'll
dictcd for the violation of this law,
though no one doubts but that it is vio-
lated Just as often us the local option
law
Has any law with which we have any
acquaintance, been enforced more rig
IDLY than this? Has the game law, or
the law against seine hauling, or oyster
dredging. or that against carrying con-
ccaleG deadly weapons, or gambling? l
ihirk VT have just us good reason for
believing that all Of these laws are VIII
lated, us t!.at the local option law IS
violated AID the frequent indictments
for llp violation of the local option law
90 to prove. that this evil ut any rate is
not altogether winked 1T. Out OF 81
indictments only one has been acquitted
outright. True, in 10 cases oct OF 81 IL
'Dulle proStqui has been entered. Villa.
does this show? only this: that Il doubt
(according to law) favored the lmno-
crnce, rather than tie guilt of the in
,licted party. Yes mcicilul law, one
douhtsr among 10: (ye;. he may not even
I've a douhlrrl can establish innocence.
Now Us eight lave convicted outright.
shows That Tins law is enforced and lay
comparison more rigidly than amy law |
have enumerated. Friends of local
ultion let us be patient. and stand H.. III
IL by our colors. The tide oi pr0hioi-
ton is evidently rising. and by and 10y
we Shall lave Il STATE al,l Federal COLI
stituliun 10 back lis III this most Vital
reform of the century.
j. w. HUNDLEY,
Onancock, Jan. II, 81.
Mr.. ED1ToR-In addressing you n
line on the public roads, we are aware
that we are calling attention To nothing
new-tlleir dellorable condition is
known toall. The magnitude of the
evil has been overlooked, and the num-
erous suggestions heretofore have been
received bydtaf ears. Why should this
he sl:9 the writer has asked himself time
and again. Careful! obsrrva!iono Of the
different classes ofsocicty and their re-
lations to each olhei lin our mldst" re-
veal tile truth. We have q dead wright
on top in the intelligent and better du.
Gated classes. who having been LEADERS
OF public afflils for So long time, do
not dare deyiate their course III amy new
direction. for fear they may lose their
hold on the less educated and the
masses of the people; their idea being.
il all matters are left ''in Statu quo, }"
they will Of neces ity be at the head OF
the column. This educated element is
avery respectable one i'll society. 1t is
composed Of men Hlio have led upright
and correct lives. AMI IN dealing with
the MASSES have in private affairs been
honest and truthful. Transactions OF
this Sort have bego;ten confidence, and
the masses have come to look upon them
It's possessing all The wisdom of the age
and are consequently led and governed
by this upper cllss even against their
OWN interests III public affairs. These
leaders are conservative to Il degree that
reaches stolid fOgyism, they GIN see
nothing new and can approve nothing
progressive; they want all manner OF
affairs to remain OH a dead level. II
this were not so, this expensive evil Of
miserable roads would lave be@n re-
moved long ago. No remedy for bad
roads can I've suggested that they Will
not at once say, that it clnnot be done.
They claim this to be the best system.
No Que can make Il suggestion that is
not at once denied and promptly sat
down on. Suggest dritinage-it c;tnnot
be done, suggest the contract system-it
cannot be done, suggest TO make it
some ones business to look after the
road-it cannot be done and thas wehave
The Can It's and Cannot S, and we remain
Sin hole" This same class denied Il
railroad would ever be built lin our
midst" The sing-song expressions that
We're passed down by the leaders are
still remembered, such as: We Will
neve. lave railroad down here, ""your
children and my children and their
children s children will never live long
enough to see a railroad down here. ;
Such can I and cannot's We were treated
to by wholesale, and it WIS kept up I'M
til the iron horse arrived and then they
all with one accord exclaimed, Who
would have thought it' Yes,it was true
that within seven years from the grant
| e y II, G.. Il