Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1900-01-13
figures speak for themselrns Anu nnn uhn /

| giving the former at one hundred, and the
latter at NIFTY, or one hundred and fifty places
In all. Before the League was organized
nearly eighty places in the county paid an
internal revenue tax TO the U. 8. Govern
ment for the sale of liquors in this county,
ana nearly twenty more places were known
who were evading the tax. 1t gives me
pleasure to state to you that the Collector
OF Internal Revenue at Baltimore had on his
books up TO last November only thirty eight
names OF men and women who pay taxes, n
| reduction oil fully one-haf IN three years
And we believe that not more than twelve
places 10 the county tha are still eva1ing
the tax. And we must bear 10 mind that
most every one Of those places must use
more secrecy than ever in its sale. II the
number Can be reduced thus by one half 10
three years under adverse circumstances
shall we not persevere for another three
years and reduce the number to-how
manyY Whether they shall be reduced TO
nothing rests after all with you men and
women. Let US then continue the work,
not affected by criticism from those who
should be the last to give il, or by indifer.
ence on the part Of those who by their pro.
LESSONS we would believe should be in the
'front.' OF this movement, or by msunder-
standing OF our motive, by any other cause
| ~ may bO VI sDtD6 lnJeTeSJ W you W huOW
the result, since you last met, oil any Efforts
TO secure convictions OF vOlators oi the local
option law. Some OF the notable cases have
been the iOllowing-the Criminal Court
docket at the close Of the November term,
| 1879, shows as follows:
/. That OF the indictments found by the
Grand Jury in November, 1897, thirty one
never came to trial, and probably never will
The most Of the people under indictment in
these cases are believed TO be still in the bu-
slness. All of them have each about three
OF these old indictments hanging over them,
the delay in bringing them to trial has
doubtless made it improbable ever TO secure
trial in the future. la other words, they
go scot free.
2. The cases from the March term are
quite as notable. Twenty different persons,
with about thirty eight separate indictments,
VI re docketed for that term. One of them
with several cases against him settled his
cases by pleading guilty between court
terms, was fined $50 and costs In two cases
and set free. One who had nine indictments
against him was found guilty in the one case
tried and fined 800, and payment suspend.
ed during good behavior. Nine cases have
been continued three terms, and ten cases
have been stetted (which is an order to stay
proceedings.)
g. The November term, 1899, which is the
last one, there are thirty nine cases marked
stet, forty five cases marked continued, ten
cases were tried and fines imposed in Eve
cases, acquittals were obtained in the other
five, the maximum fine of $500 was imposed
In one case.
1t is such record that we feel compelled
to lay 1t before the people, not with any de-
sire to expose unattractive and unpleasant
things, but there come times when these
things must be made known, 80 that the
people shall be able TO act inteligently 10
In their approval or condemnation of their
public officers. With new officials our hopes
are now in the future, and we stand ready
to approve and applaud any faithful effort
to make the law a terror to evil doors, as ii
must be made ii we are to maintain our in.
tegrty.
These facts are also an answer to that
false and elusive statement which We hear
so often that the law cannot be enforced
Our reply to that Is, 10 the light of these
facts, that its enforcement has not been tried
Let it have fair trial and if then 1t cannot
be enforced 1t will be time enough TO have
another law.
1t has come TO our notice with some au
tucutlClIy IuhI hu tuOTL Will De nhuc AZ Tue
coming legislative session at Annapolis TO
pass bill as State law that will put the
liquor traffic under the protection OF the
law, under show OF compelling the liquor
dealer to give bond for the respectable"
conduct of his business and to pay license
This, of course, would repeal the local OPP ,
ton law OF this county. 1t would also 10
gitimitiZe the fifty places now selling under
a ban, and without a doubt add fifty more
legalized liquor saloons. Rockville instead
OF having five places where it is secretly
sold would have these five wide open and
doubtless five more, two or three OF them
doubtless located among our colored people.
kensington th i at present rejo;ces in being
Tree from the curse would feel compelled 10
open two for the accommodation of its
neighbors. Germantown which has its five
places reduced to two would doubtless
have its five more then restored to it
fdKoma Rark, which got rid of its two
places early In this contest, would be called
on to look at two more new places under
legal protection. The Sandy Spring neigh.
bOrhood, which now has its savings bank
ana Insurance company TO encourage thrift,
would doubtless have two places OF the sort
To encourage spendthritt. So we could 60
over the county and picture what delightful
privileges you would have with this law
which our legislators may think We need -
What shall we do to aid IN preventing the
passage OF such lawp We are assured in
such manner as to give us confidence in the
assurance that no bill for repeal or substtu
ton will originate in the Senate, 80 far as
this county is concerned. Every session of
the Legislature has had its lobby for the re
peal OF this law. A large number of very
honest men aud women In this county be.
lieve this Is not so, and they are honest
enough to believe that no great effort is made
for its repeal. But when we tell them that
more than $4,000 was spent at Annapolis at
the last Legislature by liquor men to secure
the repeal or amendment to the law we un.
derstate the whole scope of the efforts made,
and careful investigation by these good and
honest people would develop facts which
would show very determined efforts for its
repeal. These efforts, fortunately, failed,
and the liquor men lost their time and mon
ey. Now do you suppose they will fail so
fortunately at the session Of the Legislature
Just begunH What shall we do TO check.
mate themp leave that question for your
consideration and action.
Before we close this report we must speak
word of cheer aud thanks to the Women's
Christian Temperance Union OF this county.
From them we have had from the day of our
organization to the present always encour.
agement, support and CO operation. They
are with US to-day taking part, hand in hand
In this work, and we welcome them to this
meeting and to all our meetings, and will
We always heedlul to their counses and ad =.
V..', No other body OF people or organize.
uol IS given us so much encouragement
and sopport as the W. o. T. U. of this
county.
va Do 20, snov what the coming year
has 70, rs all y 90 10 this all important
work. Il may b. that We shall be called on
70 carry on q canvces NJ 'he county in re.
submission OF thC loc 1ptiou question to
the votes OF the people. u e hail have to
come % that We viii onter .ut' such can.
vase conh1cnt al success. l' Jh- ores Vt
failure will iasist on this course W.
shul Fl rot hesitate 70 charge tncm with sue
respo1e ity Of burdening the cOUnty With
the expe1 Incident " such an election w
on the other BAND that body chooses 20 Take
49, A.