The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-08-11

yesterday that he would be prepared
to state his course OF action shortly.
He has received the following letter
from Commonwealth'S Attorney Mar
shall:
Portsmouth. Va. August a. 1896
Revs. X. II. Bennelt and J. w. Moore,
Norfolk, Va:
Gentlemen-Yours of yesterday just
to hand, and permit me to say that a
law passed by the last Legislature takes
1t out of the power of the court to pun
ish such offenseS as those you say are
committed et Ocean View. and places
the original Jurisdiction in the hands
of the several justices of the peace
OF the county. You Will, therefore, un-
derstand that as COMMONWEALTH ttor-
ney i have no control OF the same. UNI
less they should come by appeal 20 the
County Court / hope that any viola
tons OF the law that may come to your
notice may be presented by you to the
nearest magistrate, with such witnesses
that you may have. and feel assured
that prompt notice and prosecution Will
be had. If mob upon your report, the court
and myself will thoroughly investigate
any dereliction of duty OH the part OF
said magistrate. There is now q case
against Ocean View for selling liquor
on Sunday. sent to him by the cour;
upon report of the grand jury. Your
information is incorrect as to my atten-
ton being called TO the matter except
In that way, unless l should pay atten-
ton to the malicious articles of the Pilot
which long since In my opinion ceased 10
merit consideration by any honest man
or law abiding citizen. i war; 10 say
that l shall be al all times glad to re-
ceive any information as to violations
of law in the county from such gentle
men as yourselves, and that no one
Will go farther to aid its suppression
than myself, regarding as / do my oath
OF office. decency, and social propr.ct.es.
to say nothing Of my respect for the
laws OF God.
With much respect, yours,
X. C. MARSHALL.
Az Queen Street NJ. L. Church Sunday
night Rev. j. w. Moore. the pastor
preached to large congi egation from
the theme, Sunday Observance at
Ocean View" Though he referred to
the resort in question to point moral
to his subject. DR.. Moore treated the
matter generally and spoke at some
length upon what wise laws our legisla-
lures have enacted and how ineffective
they were when they were not strictly
executed. He spoke of how the liquor
and gambling laws are violated; of how
he saw boys from 10 to II years of age
drinking liquors without hindrarpe
and of gambling places being wide open
and business going on as IL there was no
law against it. That Is the place to
find free silver" he said, large guam
titles OF 1t being displayed where the
gambling is done. Mr.. Moore declared
that he had been unable to fix the legal
responsibility for the continuance of
these attractions of the law there, but
that he was coming back here next
year, and would begin early in the
spring to head off and prevent a repeti-
ton OF the practices that now obtain
at the View on Sunday.
Itwas rumored yesterday that Mr.. e
r. Thornton, lessee of the Ocean View
Hotel had left parts unknown and
would MOI return, n Virginian reporter
last night went 10 the View and asked
Mr.. Plummer, head clerk at the hotel
and confidential friend of Mr. Thornton,
II there We're any truth In the report
In reply, that gentleman emphati-
cally denied the rumor. 1T Is absolute
ly false. and without foundation" he
said. MIR. Thornton went North on
Friday and will possibly be back We'd
nesday; certainly before the last of the
week. He wen, to Philadelphia and
from there to New York. He wired me
Yesterday that he had been overcome
by heat in that city, and would return
by Friday Mr.. Plummer at this point
produced the telegram in evidence.
Speaking of Sunday gambling and
liquor selling at the View. Mr.. Plum
mer said: The two ministers who have
been preaching about gambling and
drinking here. and the articles that have
been published In this connection have
done MIR. Thornton an injustice. and the
hotel great deal of harm. Mr. Thorn
ton subjects the pavilion and adjoining
rooms, but is entirely powerless to do
anything to stop violations of The Sab
bath there, as the premises until the con-
tract expires is virtually out of his
hands. He cannot stop them from sell
Ing liquor or gambling, nor can he take
their lease from them because they do.
There iSn't hotel in South run in
more respectable way than ours. We
are more strict than Is usually the case.
We not only do not allow objection able
characters upon cur premises. but win
not permit them 10 enter the grounds If
we can help t. | could quote you in
stances where we have elected from
this ho;el apparently res spectacle people
whom We discovered were not acting ms
they should"
SUNDAY SEMINAR .sSnc,.rrn,