The Brookhaven leader., 1888-08-16

with somewhat the same embarrass
ments that alaw against larceny woul,
encounterin acommunity where steal
ing had been licensed, and shops 70
receiving stolen goods we're to b
found on every corner.
1t is an indisputable fact, however
that the local option law is rs wei
observed and as strictly enforced a
any other penal law.
In view of the intense opposition
that was made to it, and the strong
efforts made by a large number o
people to prove it failure, the law
has, indeed, been remarkably wei
observed.
For one to attempt to argue that q,
much whisky has been drunk since
as before, the election, is simply Il
convict himself either of insincerity
or imbecility. There is scarcely any
drinking in the town, and as a conse.
quence breaches of the peace are rare.
ly known and the good order of sOcie.
ty seldom disturbed. From the City
Marshal, learned that there has been
a falling off of at least serenity fire PEI
cent. in the number of arrests. The
determination on the part of the peO.
pie to prohibit the liquor traffic has
stimulated a disposition to do away
with other evils. The laws against
gambling and other vices of like char
acter are rigidly enforced.
Intemperance is the prolific parent
of crime, and it is not to be wondered
at that the latter has now greatly
diminished.
By examining the court records,
found that for the July Term of Court,
1884, there we're docketed ia crimi-
nal cases. The agitation of the pro-
hibition sentiment in this county had
its origin about that time and from
then on the number largely decreased
For the January Term, 1888, the
docket shows there were only 81, and
large proportion of these were fo1
offenses committed before the law
went into effect, cases that had been
continued from term to term. And
now there are only Is criminal cases
in the hands of the circuit clerk to be
docketed for the coming October
Term of Court.
This shows a diminutiOn in crime
of not less than eighty per cent. The
July Term, 1884, of the Circuit Court
cost the county $2,211.20, while the
expenses for the January Term, 1888
were only 81 ,107.3S-a saving of one
half to the people of the county. The
moral of these facts and figures draws
itself.
PROHIBITION HAS NOT INJURED THE
TOWN OR COUNTY FINANCIALLY.
will not stop now to discuss the
merits of an argument which places q
consideration of money above the
morals of the people, nor will char
acterize the baseness of a man who
will make or heed such a sordid ap-
peal. l prefer to meet the issue di-
rectly on the same plane on which
our opponents stand and show that
SO far from it being fact that bust
ness has declined and trade diminish
ed, exactly the reverse is true.
In order to establish this beyond all
cavil, / shall deal in no "glittering
generalities," but cOnfine myself en-
tirely to cold, uncOntrovertible facts
as gathered from personal interviews
with some of the most important bus
mess men of our town, whose state
ments, as noted down in their pres
ence, have full authority to use, and
stand personally responsible for theil
truth and accuracy.
A leading member of the popular
firm of John McGrath g. Sons SAYS
"Our trade has been larger and fal
more satisfactory during 1887 and
1888 than for the years privious. Oul
collections are much better, and the
general business outlook is brighter
than it has been for many years"
These are the words of one who,
though opposed to Prohibition, yet
has the manhood and candor to state
facts as he sees and knows them.
Mr.. F. H. Hartman declares that his
business has improved in every way
since the saloons were banished, col
lectiOns far better, and settlements
much more satisfactory; that his la.
bOrers are more cOntented, they now
spend their money for what their fam
lilies actually need, and when evening
comes, they 60 home with their fami
lies instead of staying out all night il
a drunken debauch, as was formerly
| the case.
Pfeifer & Dreyfus, proprietors of 6
general furnishing house, as well al
of one of the largest planning mills il
this section, state that whisky harm.
ed their business, that it has greatly
improved in every respect since the
local option election, and that theil
laborers at the mill all live well and
dre4 respectfully. "Both from bust
ness and personal considerations
they say, 1--WE prefer to be without
saloons, for the good of ourselves and
our friends"
Sherman & Davis, merchants and
bankers, say that their business il
better than ever before and entirely
more satisfactory. Their collections
last year were better than at any
time since the war, they had more ole
''British claims paid last year thar
at any time since the surrender; that
the farmers are in better circumstan.
ces than they have been for ten years
they have not only cleaned up nearly
all of their old debts, but have bought
more and better goods since whisky
has been out of their reach, and they
are now able, if they need it, to Dor,
row money on their property, which
they could not have done before
Continuing Mr.. Sherman said: "Oul
increase of sales is such as to warrant
our making just double purchases
We bought twice as much clothing