Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-12
MIR. BRYAN's PROTEST.
Why He Withdrew From His POsdti0u
Against Two AnacOstip Saloons.

Against Two AnacOstin Saloons.
Mr.. Barnabas Bryan of Anacostia says
the statement that he has written a letter
withdrawing his protest to- the granting OF
a wholesale liquor license to Messrs Geo
H. Gray and John Madigan is an error II
do not remember" says Mr.. Bryan, "sign-
ing a protest against them, though I may
have done SO, as I sign all protests against
the liquor traffic that are presented to me
and II my protest would prevent it. no
more liquor would be made or sold. did
several months ago, write letter to the
excise board withdrawing my protest to the
applications of MGssrs. Campbell and Leon
ard & Beall, based on the statement that
their proposed places were within 400 feet
of the Anacostia branch of the Central
Union Mission, but, as a citizen, renewing
my protest on general terms as against all
applications that might come from Ana
costa. The reasons that led to the writing
of that letter were as follows: About two
years ago the Central Union Mission estab-
lished branch in AnAcostia, and 1 was a
member Of the local committee in charge
After some months 1t was closed for want
Of proper support.
Ever since 1 have been in Anacostia the
question Of license or no license has been
constantly agitated. Some time since !
went with a delegation of citizens before
the District Commissioners to protest
against a license for William H. Rose
After listening to the speeches on either
side, filled with bitter personalities, and
seeing men who were good, respectable
citizens drawn up in hostile array against
those who were there as representatives of
the churches, felt that was in a wrong
position, and that the very men whom l
longed to influence for good would be en-
tirely out of my reach il allowed myself
to be identified with bitter personal fights
on the prohibition question. After Mr..
Roses saloon was closed the agitation con-
tfnued, and many citizens of undoubted
worth and responsibility took the ground
across the bridge and wholesale licenses
were allowed in Anacostia, and the govern
ment was unable to enforce the law against
speaheasies, prohibition of the saloon in
Last fall arrahgehents were made to re-
Union Mission, and Twas asked to be one
Of the local eoRm mites in charge Ate,
two protests. ole against the application
of Mr.. Campbell; ,and one against the appli-
cation of Leona4d g Beail. for retail II.
censes were pregented to the Commission.
Stated in these bfotaats were that the pro.
posed places were Within 400 feet of the
Mission hall. Where these protests were
presented to usf4 haa grave doubts as to
the wisdom of sfaniag them. and expressed
my doubts to the committee: but. as they
we're unanimously IN favor Of making the
protests, joined mo signing them After
doing so the coHVictfen grew on me that ]
had made a missakeP and outside inquiries
satisfied me that those who believed in the
saloon considered those protests unfair az
the applications, with the legal number OF
signatures, had been prepared before the
establishment Of the Mission branch
Mr.. Leonard told me that before taking
any step toward purchasing the ground on
which hts inn now stands he had made &C.
curate measurements, to be sure that II
was more than 400 feet from the nearest
place of public worship. The conviction
that I had made a mistake became strong
AS q result sent my resignation as q
member Of the Mission committee and then
wrote to the excise board the letter thai
has been referred to- -.