The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-06-07
FOR HIGH LICENSE.
URGING 1T AT A CONFERENCE
AN INFORMAL EXCHANGE OF
VIEWS.

A conference preliminary to inaugurating
movement for high license in Baltimore
was held last night in the south parlor in
the Concordia Opera house. II was the out
come of a call issued by several well-known
gentlemen. The evening was spent in dis
cussing the situation and listening to the
reading of letters from those to whom inyi-
tatiors to attend the meeting had been sent.
but who could not be present. The result
of the conference was the appointment Of
the following committee to arrange for a
permanent organization: Messrs. Meyer
Stein, Henry l.. S,ockbridge, ST., D. M.
Newbold, George H. Sergeant and Henry
n. Bankard. The committee was also en-
powered to collect all data upon the question
at issue. The call which brought together
the conference is as follows:
"Many efforts have been made to Geek the
evils of intemr erance and its inevitable con-
sequences, crime; but no efforts can be per-
manently successful so long as the numerous
drinking salaons are permitted 10 remain in
the city. All know that they are the fruit
full sources of poverty, degradation whetch,
edness ana crime; they are the haunts of
evil-niinded men, and fill our jails, aims
houses and hospitals; they are the ruin OF
pany household, and do good to none but
those who pecuniarily profit by the hideous
and shameful traffic. All this is known, and
all this is abhorred by an overwhelming
majority of the citizens of Baltimore, and
yet no earnest, combined effort has been
made to put down this unmitigated evil.
Temperance societies, missionary labors and
other moral efforts have saved individuals,
but they haye not lessened the number of
saloons. Nothing can do this but high
license or prohibition Good citizens
NAV differ as to which of these systems is
the better, but one thing is certain, High
license can be secured with proper effort,
while prohibition may not"
Those who responded were Messrs. w. w.
Spence, Meyer Stein, Henry N. Bankard,
R. @. Taylor, Rev. Alexander Proud6t, of
the Second Presbyterian Church, Rev.
Samuel A. Wilson, of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, Hiram Woods, Henry L..
Stockbridge, ST., D. NJ. Newbold, George
H. Sergeant, George Whitelock and DR..
Billingslea.
Mr.. w. w. Spence was chosen temporary
chairman, and Mr.. George Whitelock, Sec
rotary. Letters explaining inability to at
tend were read. Cardinal Gibbons wrote,
stating his pleasure at seeing the names of
such prominent gentlemen attached to the
call, and was glad to see an effort to reduce
the saloons and drunkenness in Baltimore.
The Cardinals official duties prevented his
attendance at the meeting.
Bishop William Paret, of Mary land, is
out of the city, and stated his deep snterest
in the meeting. Judge VIM. A. Fisher,
Rev. Etbert S. Todd pastor of Grace NJ. E..
Church, Mr.. VIM. Woodward aud Mr. John
L. Thomas wrote, expressing interest in the
matter.
The conference was harmonious. Mr..
Enoch Pratt, one of the leading spirits in
the movement, was detained from the meet
ing. 1t is likely he will be elected perman-
ent president.
VIEWS OF MR.: W. w. SPENCE.
Mr.. w. w. Spence, in accepting the po-
sition of temporary chairman, said, 81 re-
greet the unavoidable absence of Mr.. Enoch
Pratt, whose good common sense and steady
integrity mark him as the man to occupy
the chair at this time. This movement is
in the interest of the city Of Baltimore. 1t
is no political venture. A moral, fnan-
cial and practical interest of the city is at
stake. We want pei manent organization.
the evils of intemperance arouse public feel
ing. There are three methods to fight these
evils-by local option, prohibition aid high
license. Prohibition is an lmpracticable
idea. There should be no fight in this
movement with The friends of prohibition or
local option. l would not take chances to
remedy the evils complained of by refusing
TO accept something which will lessen the
burdens carried. High license will reduce
the number of saloons. Under a we'll
framed law the saloons remaining could be
more thoroughly watched. 1t is a mistake
to suppose that licensing the sale Of liquor
is giving to the evils # intemperance the
sanction of law. On the other hand, il will
prevent many of the evils. High license
contemplates the reduction of the saloons.
1t looks to a lessening of drinking in the
city. Baltimore does not bear the reputa-
ton of drinking city. Yet there are cities
whose populations are greater where the
number of saloons are not in proportion.
In New York, with population of $780,
600, there are only 6,Sl1 saloons. Bati-
more, with population of only about one
third, has 1900 saloons. A high license
law will drive many of these saloons out of
existence. Suppose it should come TO pass
that 8 900 out of these 1000 saloons were
shut up. leaving 1000. Suppose. then,
that license lax of 81, 900 be placed upon
each saloon. There would be revenue OF
100000. Suppose, too, that the Legisla-
ture Of Maryland should be induced to make
law allowing this money, where il be.
longs, to be poured into the city treasury.
Mr.. Meyer Steine and myself served to-
gether on the grand jury, and during the
term about AGO cases came up, many
growing out of the violation of the liquor
Sunday law. We should have in BaltI-
more what they have in England. A man
arrested to-day should be tried tomorrow,
and not allow the case To grow cold This