Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1900-05-25
The Local Option Discussion.

Mr., Editor When Mr.. Lamar began
this discussion in your paper, following as
it did closely upon the heels Of the defeat of
all liquor legislation at Annapolis, very
naturally concluded he was simply working
in the interest Of the liquor men. Whether
for money consideration, for glory, or for
love, | could not conjecture. And If for
love, was equally at sea as to the object OF
his affections.
l conclude from the drift of the discussion
that many more persons in the county ar
rived at similar conclusions at the start. 1t
is only fair TO Mr.. Lamar to say that since
that time friends OF Mr. Lamar, who be-
lieve themselves competent to speak, have
informed me that my conclusions were en-
tirely erroneous. That Mr.. Lar1ar's sole
object was to create sentiment that might
eliminate the liquor question from our BIZ
ennia elections.
II this is correct he has my sympathy, for
| the magnitude OF the task certainly never
dawned upon him. 1t will be as impossible
along any lines he has suggested as to turn
river uphill.
No sentiment can be worked up and no
law can be enacted that can eliminate the
saloon question from our elections until the
saloon itself-licensed or unlicensed-is
eliminated IRON the county, unless II should
permanent plank in their respective plat.
forms declaring unequivocally Tor the pres
erVation of the prohibitory law and will
then nominate men whom the public could
trust to uphold that plank.
The Anti Saloon League has come TO stay
1t is young and vigorous and is growing in
size and influence in different parts OF the
United States. Though, in modern par
lance, II is not, strictly speaking, temper
ance organization, 50 far as personal absti.
hence is concerned, it is composed largely
OF total abstainers from alcoholic beverages,
and In most instances they are Christian
men. However, any person who is opposed
to the wrecking OF the body and soul OF his
son, his daughter, or his neighbOr, through
the sale Of strong drink, is eligible to mem.
bershp, regardless of his practice as TO per-
sonal abstinence or his religious tenets.
The members of the Anti, Saloon League
will cling as tenaciously to the righteous
cause they have espoused as did our Colonial
forefathers To theirs for Independence. One
factor of inherent vitality In the organization
that the practical politician might do we'll
to bear in mind is the omni partisan charac
ter of the Anti Saloon League. We have
been accused OF iavoriug this party and that
party, the hit bird always fluttering, but the
party that attempts to destroy the peace and
happiness OF the community with liquor
saloons and incompetent officials is likely
TO feel the effects OF the organization banded
together in the interest OF the home aud the
family.
In the gubernatorial election preceding
the last the writer voted in accordance with
the official advice of the Saloon League
wherever II had taken sides. On his ticket,
as cast, were the names of seven Republi-
cans and seven Democrats, twelve OF whom
were elected. When an organization can
show such impartiality as that its vitality is
assured il the object OF its existence is a
worthy one.
la Ohio its influence was felt very strongly
in the last campaign, and II it should be
proved that Mr.. Hanna had u hand in the
defeat OF the local option bill in the State
Senate recently, ii will likely cause the loss
of the State to the Republican party next
fall.
Now permit some observations upon
points, in the correspondence, as II strikes me.
Though no fault of his, undue Importance
was attached by some 10 the article signed
BY b. A. Harlan, under the mistaken i'm
preston that he was Judge Harlan OF the
u. s Supreme Court. Even casual peru
sal of the article 10 question should have
convinced most any one of their error.
In that article Mr.. Harlan simply put the
case from the dstller's and the high grade"
retailers point OF view, though he himself
would pose as temperance man, as take.
him. His arguments are old, but they will
always be found on the other side OF the
question. lie laments the loss OF revenue
TO the county in the cases of those who go
to Washington TO get drunk and ride on
the same trains with him. The temperance
people will thank him for calling our atten
ton to this evidence of the working OF the
local option law, as poorly rs 1t has been
enforced What might il not accomplish II
enforced by conscientious officials.
Mr.. Lamar's glaring inconsistency in
| Wiping out of the controversy the pub
lished article of one who failed 10 sign his
name 10 full, and for that reason but in
the same breath narrating at length the
views OF distinguished minister OF the
gospel of this county," whom he accredits
TO the Baptist faith, but whose identity is
even more obscure than that Of "a. H., Is
30 remarkable as to be amusing. His emi-
nent divine need do little else than air such
views as are credited TO him and he will
continue TO be distinguished" but only
from the bulk of protesting Christians. Let
his views also be ignored until his identity
is known and then they can "pass for what
they are worth"
MIR. Lamar was probably laboring under
a misapprehension as to the duties and
bowers of the president of the Anti-Saloon
League when he attacked Mr.. Che tie. Per
haps a little light on the subject may not be
| amiss The Executive Committee OF the
Anti Saloon League of this county is com
posed of the president, secretary and treas
urcr of the league and OF one elected vice
president from each of the thirteen election
districts of the county.
The policy and work Of the League is
discussed and decided upon by majority
vote at stated and called meetings OF the
committee due notice OF the same always
being given And though the ex' cution OF
the work is entrusted TO officers and com
mittees, these same are held TO account for
what they do and what they fail 70 do. II
would not be strange if occasionally some
one or more persons representing diverse
sections of the county might not be entirely
satisfied with the decision of the majority,
but that Mr.. Choate has served the League
with satisfaction in the past IA strongly at
tested by the fact that he was reelected
without a dissenting vote in January last
1t looks to me az though this attack upon Mr.
Choate was an effort 10 SOW discOrd IN the
ranks of the Anti Saloon League. Whether
Lam right 10 my conclusion or not such
a result is not likely 10 follow.
have known Mr. Cholte Tor nearly
twenty years, and during about half OF that
time have been more or less associated with
him in religious and temperance work, and
can honestly and warmly say believe
Mr.. Lamar's insinuatiOns are entirely I'M
called for and have no solid foundation.
One more observation on the correspond
epce 80 lar published. Mr.. Lamar's appar
ent candor and his alleged desire 10 present
the "pro and con" Of this question seems to
be only matter Of appearance. | iail W
see any more evidence OF the same than his
statement that he will do 30 from time To
time. may be very stupid and ! may not
be candid myself, but can assure him that
II he wants 10 help any great number OF
temperance men 10 reach conclusions favor
able 10 his way of thinking, he will have to
make a better showing Of candor than he
, has done 90 tar.