The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-28
REGULATION OF SALOONS.
Suggestions as to the Liquor Traffic by B T
Williams Of Harrellsvillo

To the Editor: There is much being
said at this time about the dispensary-
the open bar-and Prohibition. 1T APP
pears to me that it is more than proba-
BILE that the next session of the General
Assembly will be called upon to pass an
act restricting the present license sys-
tenn. In view of this fact, beg to make
the following suggestions.
That no painted windows, screens or
other distractions be allowed between
the front entrance and where whskey
is sold. That no restaurant, pool room
or any other business shall be carried
en- in the same building in which whis-
key is sold except it be governed by the
same rules which control the selling of
vhiskey. That no house in which whis-
key is sold shall be opened between sun
set and SUNRISE or on the Sabbath day
That it shall be a misdemeanor for any
one to enter a house where Whlskey IL
sold during the closed hours, except
the employees, and in case the owner or
employee should admit any one else,
both to be fined.
The worst evils that come from the hu-
man family from Whiskey drinking arc
those that are contracted in the night.
by boys and young men, who after bust
ness hours congregate where whiskey is
sold and before their parents Or en-
ployers know it they have contracted the
whiskey habit, with its attendant evils.
Many a young man visits these places
covertly, in the shadow of the night,
with no idea of ever becoming contami-
mated. but when too late he finds ruin
and disgrace, the penalty of what he
imagined was only few hours Spent in
nocently with the boys l believe that
ninety-nine per cent. of the drunkards
of today would have been saved to their
homes. the State and society, if the
drinking place had been absolutely closed
during the night time, and no devices al
lowed to hide them during the day. Some
object to these plans on the ground that
they like the social glass, but would
not like to take a drink in full view
of all passers- by. Neither would your
boy like to do it, or any young man OF
responsibility for this reason there
fore I urge it, it will save the young
men from forming the whiskey habit.
We can't expect to reform the old drunk
ard, but North Carolina must save her
young men. She owes it to every son
aud daughter that is born in her borders,
that they shall not be pulled down into
shame and disgrace by places she has
licensed.
Fifth, every town or community should
be allowed to vote on certain conditions,
whether it will have prohibition, the dis
pensary system or the open bar. l be-
lieve in the sovereignty of the people.
Every dispensary now established, or
hereafter to be established should either
pay a per cent, or as in the case or
bar-rooms, a given amount for the COM
mon schools of the county. / don't think
the common schools of the counties
acknowledgements have been establish
ed have been treated fairly. In nearly eV-
very case they have been deprived of the
funds derived from the sale of whiskey
the money is being used locally. In many
ocalities the people are highly indignant
at this thing and unless it is remedied,
they will be heard from before many
more elections pass. While on this sub
ject, l wish to say that l am opposed to
the idea which seems to be so popular
Of centralizing the common schools of
the counties L means helping those most,
who are most able to help themselves,
and leaving the poor and destitute of the
outlying districts to grow up in ignor
ance.
| believe the proper thing to do is to
carry the schools to the children, and
have them taught reading, writing, and
arithmetic if nothing more.
B. F. WILLIAMS.
Harrellsville, N. c.. Dec. u.