Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1902-04-17
The BuncOing OF Mr.. Paul Blhler.

luS puuSUluS Vi Wls EAui oiniSi'
The next time that Mr.. Paul Bihler,
of Hagerstown, buys green goods in
Shepherdstown he will probably de.
mand that he receive the goods before
he turns over the money. Previous
to our recent town election, in which
the great issue "wet" or "dry was
submitted to the voters, SO the story
runs, Mr.. Bihler was invited to par
ticipate in a real good thing. 1t was
demontrated that for certain sum Of
money a certain result might be &C.
complished. Some seventy-fve or
a hundred votes could be obtained
for the licensing Of liquor saloons if
the polI-tax of 70 cents head should
be forthcoming, and the colored broth
er was waiting for the philanthrOpist
who would put up the stuff that would
enable them to exercise the preroga-
tives Of free American citizens. The
stuff was put up, the current rumor
being that Mr.. Bihler gave liberal
share. Taxes were paid and the nee
essary privilege of voting secured. In
addition, sundry jugs were in free cir
culation, the smell from which was In
dicative of red liquor. The "wets"
carried the election by a small but
safe majority, and a ticket supported
by the advocates of license was also
chosen. Mr.. Bihler picked out his
place for a saloon, and selected as his
beverage clerk Mr.. James Grace, for
merly of Shepherdstown, who had
been active before the election in
seeing that things should go right.
Monday night Of last week Mr.. Bihler
appeared before the new council here
and confidently asked for recommen-
dation for license. Imagine how he
wac Jared when the council laid his
application on the table. He couldn't
understand where the cog had slipped
that deranged the machinery. He
was dazed.
He went home to Hagerstown and
thought it over Thursday evening,
at his request, Mayor Harrison called
a special meeting Of the council. Mr.
Blhler appeared again with his law
yer, Mr.. Lewis Syester. He also had
a string of recommendations that were
sufficient to get him a job as presi-
dent of bank, much more the privi-
lege of keeping saloon, But his re-
ception was worse than it had been
on Monday night. He got the marble
heart 10 less than three minutes
Mayor Harrison besought for him the
courtesy of hearing, but for some
reasons not yet entirely explained the
mayors request was disregarded and
Mr.. Bihler and his lawyer were not
allowed to say a word. The applica-
ton, which was laid on the table,
seemed to have potten all the way un-
derneath, and there it remains. Just
what Mr.. Bihler thinks Of the way
he was treated is not known, as his
command of the English language is
not what it might be. It's said, how
ever, he does Justice to the subject in
German. The council meetings had
been attended by great crowds, and
much interest had been manifested in
the case of Mr.. Bihler When it be-
came known that he had been turned
down, and visions of beer at five cents
a bottle began to vanish, there was
one general sentiment of Indignation.
1t was agreed that he had been treated
badly, and the council has been most
severely and continuously criticised.
The unfortunate gentleman feels that
he has been victimized, and though
he appreciates the efforts of those who
were square with him he has poor
opinion of West Virginia justice. 1t
has been suggested that he be paid
from the town levy a sum sufficient to
reimburse him for the good money he
paid out to carry the election. We
almost feel as if it ought to be done.