Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-01-28

The Protestant clergymen Of the city
are taking a firm stand in support of
the Laughlin license bill, now pending
in the Legislature. In addition to the
determination to send a committee to
Charleston to lobby in its interest.
they sent copies of petitions for its
passage, Saturday afternoon, to pastors
OF all the Protestant churches in the
city. The petitions were numerously
signed yesterday. They were not cir
culated in all the Protestant churches,
however. In most instances they were
left in the vestibules of the churches,
and members of the congregations
signed as they passed out.
A member of the Federation of
Churches said yesterday that an or
ganized effort will be made to obtain
signatures during the coming week,
with a view of securing 10000 names
to be forwarded to Charleston. He
said that the papers will be circu-
lated among the mills, factories and
business houses. He, himself, had Sc
cured five men to work for this pur-
pose
The Rev. r. R. Bigger delivered a
sermon, upon the question of reform
last evening at the Third Presbyterian
church and consumed about fifteen
minutes in his reference to the Laugh
lin bill. He urged everybody to sign
the petition in circulation in the
churches in behalf of the bill, and
said in part:
There are some saloons and some
wholesale liquor dealers, who are not
opposed to it because they consider it
protection to them against the low
down dives. On the other hand we
have it on good authority that in
every den and fake hotel there is a
counter petition against it. 1t is also
reported that in the lower classes of
saloons when man signs this counter
petition, he is treated to drinks free
OF charge.
mo stone will be left unturned to
show the people at Charleston that
Ohio county desires to have the Laugh
lin bill passed. There is hardly a bust
ness man in the city of Wheeling that
does not want it. A great many of the
bar members are also anxious to see
it passed. l know of some saloons
that are not opposed to the bill"
The minister also spoke of the
Brooks bill, the purport of which is
similar to the Laughlin bill, and of
what success it had met with through
out the State of Pennsylvania, partic-
ularly in Pittsburg. He concluded by
calling attention to the fact that
George Laughlin had in his possession,
testimonials from some of the liquor
men of Pittsburg, in favor of the bill,
because it is a sort of protection
against the lower classes of liquor
dealers.
Those who are circulating petitions
upon the other side say that they are
we'll pleased with the number of sig
natures they have received without.
much effort. A reputable saloonist
said to a reporter that he hoped the
people who sign the petitions for the
passage Of the bill will thoroughly I'M
der5tand its provisions and their oper-
alton. He said reference TO the
City Clerks annual report will show
what proportion of the revenues OF the
city are derived from liquor licenses:
and that a reduction Of this revenue
means increased taxation upon citi-
zens He did not fear the loss of his
license, but he thought the matter of
wedding out Objectionable saloons
might be safely entrusted TO the reform
Council. He did not approve of any
measure which might drive reputable
saloon-keepers out of the business, as
the Laughlin bill undoubtedly would
do.