Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-01
A VERY HARD FIGHT
Being Waged at Apollo and Leech-
burg on Local Option Laws,
LONG PETITIONS ON BOTH SIDES
Forwarded to Harrisburg for Legislative
Consideration.
WHAT ONE OF THE RESIDENTS SAYS

l
The boroughs of Apollo and Leechburg
have for twenty-five years been working
under local option law, and in that period
have had no saloons. At present the citi-
zens are very much stirred up over petit
ton to the Legislature to have the law re-
pealed and make the Brooks license law
| operative. On this question the people are
divided, some standing up for the present
| law and others arguing against, while still
| others refuse to take either side and say they
care not which way the matter ends
First those against prohibition got up a
petition stating their side of the case, then
the other side came out with the following
memorial:
WHEREAS, We learn with inexpressible re-
gret that petition will be presented to the
Legislature at the present session, praying for
the passage OF an act, submitting to the quail
ned voters of the boroughs Of Apollo and
eechburg, in the county of Armstrong, the re-
peal of certain act of the General Assembly Of
the State of Pennsylvania, entitled IAN act to
prohibit the issuing of licenses within certain
boroughs in the counties of Armstrong, Potter,
Indiana and Perry, or within two miles of the
oughs are located" approved the 9th day of
March. A. D., 1866, so far as the same shall ap-
ply to the said boroughs of Apollo and Leech-
burg. in the county Of Armstrong.
Protest Of the Local Option Side.
We do therefore most earnestly protest
against any such action being taken, or slch
submission being awarded, for the reason.
among others, aside from mere moral consid-
ations that we believe that said local pro-
hibitory laws have been instrumental in the
most direct manner in promoting the industry.
development of resources wealth and growth
of our respective localities, and the contiguous
territory along the Kiskiminitas Valley, evi-
denced especially by the following facts:
First-The number and excellence of the
schools and churches in said boroughs.
Second-The industry and thrift of the In
habitants.
Third-The multiplied number of houses ac-
tually owned and enj Dyed by the citizens, beau
tilted and made comfortable by that care and
interest developed and exercised under the in
huence of actual ownership.
Fourth-The significant absence Of absolute
poverty or pauperism among the people. The
insignifcance or comparative absence of taxes
for the support of INDECENT poor, as compared
Fifth-The rarity of crime in our communi-
ties, especially the higher grades, as compared
with its prevalence elsewhere.
SiXth-The promise OF larger outgrowth and
prosperity that seems assured for the future If
our present prohibitory system is continued,
which IN the past has done SO much to invite
and encourage Investment. and the erection of
industrial plants in our midst.
Seventh-That change of the system, after
asuccesstui and prosperous experience of %
years, would be breach of faith to those who
established our industries, and built our homes.
We do therefore most earnestly protest and
demonstrate against any act resolution or legis-
latlon tendlng toward the repeal OF or IN any
way affecting or impairing the beneficent pro-
visions of the act of 1856 as it now stands.
The Agitation Goes on Vigorously.
At present the affair is at a stand, except !
that every day there are new signers to each |
petition, and the question furnishes fruit |
ful theme for conversation. Nothing else |
scarcely is thought of in the talk for and |
against the repeal of the law James Kirk
wood is a well-known business man of
Apollo, and is in position to tell some
thing OF how the matter stands. He was in
the city yesterday ON business, and a DIS
PATCH reporter had an interesting talk with
him on the question in hand. He is a very
gentleman, and at first said he
preferred not to talk about it, but after con-
difficulty was drawn into conver-
sation, during the course Of which he said
among other things:
The facts are thatwe are constantly treated
to great surprises. For instance, some of
our leading citizens in Apollo, who have
been heretofore familiar figures on the tenn
perance platform, are now arrayed in favor
Of license. Some are uncharitable enough
to attribute their present attitude to mer-
cenary motives, as they are interested in a
new hotel, which they consider rather poor
investment without license This statement
however, while partially correct, is not alto.
gether SO, as some of the stockholders are
not in favor of any change in our present
local laws.
Another class of citizens who resided in
Apollo previous to the adoption of local
option are radically in favor of letting well
enough alone, as before local option it was
! risk to walk the streets without danger of
insult, and as the town is without proper
police protection, a similar experience may
be expected.
"On the other hand, we have in the town
If Apollo quite number of moderate
thinkers, and a few who occasionally are
ndiscreet, who are to man opposed to
license, on the general principle that they
ret along better in proportion as temptation
s absent. The ministers of the different
Apollo and Leechburg churches are, on
:eneral principles. radically opposed to
license. They claim that license there
Tould foster and encourage the traffic.
Two Very Prosperous Towns.
"Yet at this particular time they have
resented to them the choice of two evils. If
hey vigorously attack the license problem, III
hey run risk OF changing present friends
nd supporters into bitter enemies; whereas. !
the same question was to be dealt with in !
large city, the ministers could speak out
nth impunity.
Another fact" said Mr.. Kirkwood, 'the
olling mills at Leechburg and Apollo paw
ut in wages about $100, 900 per month That
ow goes for the benefit OF the workers and
heir families. Those who are conducting
ne opposition to license claim that there are
lore workmen in Leechburg and Apollo |
wing in their own homes than in any other
Owns oil similar size, which is attributed by
ne temperance loving people to their local
ption law"
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