The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1894-05-10
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R,c srosE Gar, VA, May 9th, ls94

Edifor Post:
Our Tovu CaeEcii, . - sss'i'aF '''ses
s,,.s ~ afce..st ;ast, <os sal:i i"ssi'i.a
: 70 mort will doubtless appear in your col
nmns) entered upon needed system Q
re,renchment, rs advocated bs you, b,
| resolving TO cat DOM tins salaries ana iee'
Of it's several Office holders. Bnt It's com
meudable action did not so far enough
The fees of the Na.ur and CouncEmen
assessed by themselves, and represent.
ing the present value of their public ser
vices, should be wiped out entirely. Cen
tlemen anxious to hold their honorable
positions, and to give the general public
the benefit of their experience aud VIE
dom, should Willingly devote the few hour
required for performance OF the du-
ties in such town as ours withoutfes OF
reward.
At the same meeting three applications
were made for renewal of liquer licenses
b7 holders of licenses during the past
year. Two of the applications we're
granted. The third applicant, Mr.. G. 81.
Brown, was refused license for his new
premises, in the store lately occupied by
Messrs. Hoback l. Co., adjoining to the
old post Office building. In support OF
Dir. Browns application, his attorney, NJ
Addison adducedeyidencs by the testimony
of tho Town Sergeant, Mr.. Skeen, and the
Hon. H. A. " Skeen, Judge Of the County
Court, that the applicant vas the holder
of previous licenses, man OF good char
acter, fit and proper to hold liquor
license; and that the premises were sulta-
lie for O. saloon. 1t was also shown
that license for the new premises had
been duly granted to the applicant by the
County Court. An opposition was sprung
on behalf of the owner of ad-
joining premises, occupied by Goodloe
Bros. and by the city attorney, and nm at
tempt was made, but abandoned, because
of its manifest unfairness, to prevent the
applicant from Offering evidence in sup
port of his case. The questions asked OF
the County Court Judge, when giving his
testimony, about supposed annoyance to
parties passing in front of saloon TO
church, and on election days, (whcn the
premises would be closed,) without at:
tempting to show that complaint had ever
been made, even when 4 saloon opened at
the corner of the same street; and the ap.
parent readiness with which parties d.
rectly interested in opposing, either as
adjoining owner, or because OF personal
feeling arising out of private matters,
made plainly apparent all intention on
the part of our local parliament to refuse
the license. Only one Councilman &C. W.
Eyans) voted alfirmatvely. That the
otherswere in band Of opposition, from
the outset, averted eyes did not blind.
The Councils decision must he deemed
q poor compliment to theCounty Court and
to the personal testimony Of the Judge, a
highly esteemed resident of our town;
but, doubtlesa, its only ground was
an anxious regard for the public good, as
distinct from oil private influences
The severe storm of Sunday night, be-
sides doing considerable damage, has rem
dered unsafe to the public some trees
overhanging the board walk leading from
Wood Avenue to the Churches. The
attention of our local vigilance commit
tee is kdrectcd thereto, go that accident
to any person may be prevented.
REtDrR