Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-10
THE CANDIDATE
Montgomery County Anti-Saloon
League to Investigate.
RECENT QUARTERLY MEETING
interesting Developments Made at
the Sessions.
sPEAK-EAsIEs DENOUNCED

Special Correspondence OF The Evening Star
GAITHERSBURG. Md, August 0, 1897
The adjourned quarterly meeting of the
Montgomery County Anti-Saloon League
was held here in the NJ. E. Church South
today. Representatives from throughout
the entire county from religious and tenn
perance organizations were present in larger
numbers than at any previous meeting, in
dicating steady growth Of and interest in
the league and it's efforts to suppress the
speakeasies.
The fact that all parties have made their
tickets for the fall election, and that todays
meeting SO closely followed the republican
county convention of Thursday, led many
to believe that this meeting was to ascer-
tain the position of each candidate on the
tickets for the general assembly. and deep
ened its interest. The executive committee
was In secret session at noon, and while it
was ascertained that the candidates posi-
lions on the local option question were a
subject Of discussion. just what official ac-
ton, If any, 1t was decided to take could
not be ascertained officially, as the men,
bers would dfvulge no informs ton. But
from the sentiments to be heard on every
hand 1t was apparent that the candidates
would be questioned as regards their prin-
cipIes.
Mr. T. J. Owens opened the morning ses-
sion at IL o'clock. Mr.. A. N. Garfield of
Columbia was introduced, and his address
was so highly appreciated that resolu-
ton that 1t be Put in shape for publication
and distribution was unanimously adopted
1t gave practical review of The inception
and success of the movement.
spcnkensies Numerous.
Rev. j. T. Marshall of Kensington, in his
address, gave his experience with the
speakeasies in Wheaton and Bethesda dis
tricts, and bespoke the support of the best
people Of his vicinity for the league
A committee on credentials was appoint
ed, consisting of Harry c. Weeks j. W.
Horner, VIM. w. Moore, NJ. B. Montgom-
cry and c. Scott Duvall
Prof. G. w. Walker directed lively music
by select choir, with Mrs. r. P. w.
jones organiSt.
Recess was taken for lunch, which was
served by the ladies in the grove adjoin-
ing the church.
Nfne-Year-Old Boys Drunk.
At the afternoon session Rev. Henry p
West of Ashton was the first speaker He
was followed by the Rev VIM. Melville of
Hyattsville. He had observed boys of nine
years drunk on the roadsides in Colesville
district adjacent to the speak-easies he
found there.
Mr.. Charles w. Prettyman of the Rock
Vile bar in his address or observance
of Law traced the fall of the Roman en-
pire to disregard for the law, and express
ed himself believing that it was neces-
sary in this county to SO awaken public
sentiment as every man, particularly those
who served as jurors at the Rockville
court, would consider it as great a crime
to sell liquor as for him to steal his neigh
bors pocket book. At every term of court
he witnessed jurors perjure themselves.
His address led to many inquiries 10
the manner Of drawing the jurors and the
possibility of securing better jurors.
An Interesting Record.
The height of interest in the days pro-
ceedings was reached when Rev. L. L.
Lloyd produced his results Of an investiga-
ton into the enforcement Of the local OPP
ton law by the county court. His fig
ures. taken from the court record, demon
starte that for ten years back there has
been a steady improvement in the number
of convictions, amounts Of fines imposed
and their collection. Arguments in favor
of high license that the enforcement of
the law was financial incubus upon the
county were contradicted, in that the in
come from the fines actually paid averages
more than $500 per year. while with high
license the entire revenue would go to the
state.
Further Investigations are to be pursued
by the league, and it is very probable the
statistics will be given to the local press
for publication and issued by the league
for circulation throughout the county.
Miss Ella Lawrenson of Washington sang
He Leadeth Me-"
Rev. E. w. Walker and a quartet, with
Mrs. John E. Clagett organist interspersed
the afternoon exercises with music.
In addition to the very representative
character of the audience in general 1t
was noted that several delegations of col j
ored people present manifested their SYM
pathy with the movement. Rev. P. B.
Carroll of Rockville, one of the delegates
present. was of opinion that his people
were equally interested with their white
brethren, and he will solicit their organ
iZatiOn and cO-ODeratiOn.