The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1902-12-19
THE LOCAL OPTION LAW.

In the last issue of The .I:gis, we pub.
lishcd, as an Introductory to communi-
cation, that we stood ready to use every
energy to aid in the enforcement of the
local option law, provided the Executive
Committee of the Law Enforcement
League would accept with sincerity
suggestion looking to a more rigid re-
spect to be shown this law. Since that
time we have received from Dr. w. w.
Davis, president of the Law Enforcement
League, letter which we are satisfied to
accept in the same manner in which we
believe it was written. The communica-
ton is as follows:
JARRETTsvILLE, Dec. Is.
To THE -EGIS:
I'm your comment on the
letter of Mr.. T. II. Ward in last weeks
issue of The -Egis you say you "are per-
fectly willing to make the suggestion if
there is sufficient indication that it will
be received in the same manner i'll which
it is given AS President of the Law
Enforcement League, | write to ask you
to send me your suggestion as to methods
to be adopted that will secure your sup
port. | promise to submit it at the first
meeting of our Executive Committee. l
can promise you that when approved by
the Executive Committee it will have my
most earnest support Further, l will
advocate the appointment of a special
committee to carry out yourplan. May
we have your consent TO serve on this
committee: Awaiting your reply by an
early mail | am,
Very truly yours,
w. w. DAVIS.
The suggestion that we have to offer
is that the Law Enforcement League of
Hartford County will pledge itself to use
| its best endeavors to elect four members
of the House of Delegates in the fall of
| 1908 who will favor a re submission of
the question to the voters on the essential
lines laid down in the bill which was
passed by the State Senate at its session
in 1902.
1t this pledge is given, every person
should respond to the fair action of the
League and aid in every way to enforce
the law until such time as the voters
should otherwise decree. A determined
effort on the part of every one would
doubtless succeed in righting these evils,
but there must be behind the movement
feeling that it is backed by public senti
ment and this today is extremely doubt.
iul. By this we mean not that the en-
forccment of all laws is not backed by
public sentiment but that this law is one
on which the people have not been giver
the opportunity to express their opinion
for number of years, and in that time
although they have sent respectful petit
tions, signed by large portion of The
best element. of the citizens of our county
yet the General Assembly has seen fit no
to even so much as accord them fair treat
ment.
If we wish to have law abiding com
munity, we must respect every statute
which is on the books and, if unpopular
rigid enforcement operates for its re
peal. In regard to the local option Law
all that is asked is a fair chance for tn
voters to express their feelings and unit
there is some assurance that affairs a
Annapolis will not be juggled so tina
they can have this opportunity
seems as if it will be hard to secure cor
I victions.
The suggestion that we offer, ifaccepte
Il by the Law Enforcement League, wi
take the question entirely out of polite
h and the case will be settled strictly o
c its merits. A new sentiment will in
Y mediately follow and we believe tina
d every one will take hold of the qucstio
c with feeling of vigor, which will sho'
Y those who violate the law that its mai
dates must be respected.