The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1891-02-13
GAMBLING And LIQUOR.
The Police Meet and Take Important
Action on Both Subjects.
A REFORM MOVE EMIT

At the monthly meeting of the Police
Guard held on Friday last the liquor ques-
tcn was brought up for discussion. The
question arose upon the proposition 10
petition Judge Miller to make an excep-
ton of Big Stone Gap, and continue the
present system Of granting licenses, WIN
ont recurring n vote on the subject. 1t
was the unanimous sense of the meeting
that no action should be taken on the
question, as an organization, but as the
Police have the enforcement OF the laws
in their lands, it was thought we'll to get
the opinions of the body as individuals on
the subject. Each member present was
requested to express his sentiments.
There were II members in attendance.
Eight of these were in favor Of the pres
ent system, that is of granting licenses
seven were opposed outright, and two
seemed to be on the fence. All admitted
that if it were possible to get rid OF liquor
altogether, it would be the best thing TO
do. but those who favored the license sys-
tenn pretty generally expressed the opin-
ion that in town and community such as
this, it is impossible to prohibit the sale
of liquor; that to do away with licensed
bar-rooms would open splendid market
for "moonshine," any quantity of which is
manufactured in the northern part OF
Wise county, and along the Kentucky
line: that while less Of it might be drunk
in the town, there would be equally as
much drunk throughout the county gen.
orally, and that it would be drunk IN
larger doses, on the principle of country
girl at dance. She dances until broad
daylight because she does not know when
she will get another chance. 1t was MAIN
tanned that it was easier to preserve order
with a good police force, under the pres
emf system, than it would be without lie
enses; that at present our town is rs qulef
and orderly as any one could wish, and
that it was wisdom TO let. ''well enough
alone"
Several also dwclt upon the question
from a financial and business standpoint
The town receives $500 from each bar
room. The six now here yield revenue
of $4,000. Again, the bar-rooms deposit
daily in the banks about 5000. y great
deal of this money would 60 elsewhere ii
it did not come to Big Stone Gap through
the channels of bar-rooms If har-rooms
are established on the outskirts OF the
town, in the ncighhorhoods of the mines,
! furnaces or manufactures, many OF the
operatives would 90 to these places to do
their drinking and trading. and thus BIG
Stone Gap would loose large revenue
The seven members who opposed the sell
inc of liquor altogether, expressed their
opinion that the police were now strong
enough to prohibit the sale OF liquor IN The
town, and that they believed it would De
best especially for the working classes II
this be done; that the sale OF liquor is
morally wrong. and while it might be true
that in the present unsettled state OF oul
society, ii would not be prohibited, yet nc
one could speak with certainty upon this
point until the trial bad been made; that
the community never would be educated
up to the prohibition standard until an CT
fort was made in that direction and that
| the sooner this effort was made the better
il would be.
The gambling question was next consld,
cred. The chairman stated that he haC
received requests from several sources &c
| break up the poker rooms in the town. OF
which there are two, which have been run
ming and doing a prosperous business iol
/ some time He said that lie had received
information from reliable sources that
these rooms were not conducting what was
called square game-that is thcE were
in the habit of taking advantage OF men
while they were drunk, and cheating and
swindling them out of money: that while
he belieyed these rooms should he broken
up. at the same time he had received in
formation that several members OF the
notice force had been recently guilty Of
private games of poker at the hotels IN the
town; that under the laws of the state
gambling at public place was prohibited
and that for the police to take action tc
stop other gambling, while they were them
selves guilty Of the like otiense. would
subject them to criticism and just cntl-
csm.
He therefore proposed that before
any action was taken against gambling
each member Of the police guard sign q
pledge not to violate the law in this re-
spect. The pledge was accordingly sign
ed bv tie members, and thereupon by
unanimous vote a resolution was passed
to take all necessary steps TO break NJ
gambling in the town, provided however
that all past oflenses should be condoncd
and no action taken except in case OF tn-
! ture violation OF the law.
Personals.
Mr. Stanley e. Smith and Wife, Of Detroit Michigan,
Ii. ...... [ Inn LIZ ~.