Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1903-12-12
LOCAL OPTION
Address OF the Law and
Order League
10 rHs CIruENs or wuIiAMsprRc:

CftU AnC cehStus Tux dCtouCcS SuCtuN OF
OR civilization. the parent OF three
fourths of the poverty, misery and crime
in the world. We. therefore. appeal TO
you 20 so to the polls on December 20.
1908. and cast your vote in favor Of
Local Option.
The present law was adopted by you.
April 5. 1901. Before that time intem-
persnce ran not; fights and cuttings
language disgraced our streets. After
the law was passed, the change
was great. Corners that your wives
and daughters loathed to pass arc now
thronged with sober persons pouring
their money ;nto the money-drawers Of
orr merchants. A moral regeneration
was noticed by visitors. All went well
until the illicit sale of liquor became =
subject of general comment. Yes. ever
after this, the moral conditions were
better; for il is well known 10 some OF Us.
that, owing TO the fear OF detec-
tion, some violators of the law refused
10 sell 10 some persons. and others tear
ing the United States officers, will got
eel in quantities small enough TO suit
all the drinking classes. Very recently.
there has beeu some disorder. This, We
believe. is due TO the desire of some lie
uor dealers and their sympathizers 10
bring Local Option into disrepute.
Some Of you. fellow citizens, say that
the Local Option law is a failure You
say that il has never been executed. You
name such and such men sworn TO
maintain all law. but yet conniviug at
the violation of a special law obnoxious
TO them personally. AL this we partial
" admit. We know that the law has
not been properly maintained, and vet
NE believe conditions have been better.
We believe that property has increased.
that trade is better. that money lost to
the bar-roonn has gone to our merch-
ants. our carpenters and our lumber
men.
Since you adopted the Local Option
law. the whole State has been swept by
the temperance sentiment. jamestown
and Bruton precincts have driven away
the bar-room- No legalized bars can op-
crate within ten or fifteen miles OF Will
liamsburg. The Mann bill has closed up
hundreds Of bars in the counties. The
amendments 10 that bill Will still furth-
er help the cause of Temperance. The
so-called Social Clubs. these pests Of our
State, will soon be forced TO close their
doors. Will you take a step back
ward?
The whole State is moving TO the side
Of temperance. Shall williamsburg. the
old Capital. the seat OF the oldest collegc
in the South, the seat OF the oldest hos
pital for mental disorders. desert ia,
cause and Join the side Of the saloon anr
the drunkardY
II so. why' For money! For reve
nue.? For bar-room hcenseS Shall ",
sell our souls tor money? Shall we oper
up the bar-room. 10 lift its brazen front
10 enSice our sons 10 ruin? Aud all Z,
reduce our taxes' What shall a maj
gain If be saves on has tax bill and sends
his sons 20 Perdition'
Even for Us. local conditions win 500
DC bright. Among the new disrric
judges. ours stands high for justice an
impartiality and is. we are assured
avowedly hostile 10 the bar-room. Eros
him then we may expect fairness an
consideration. Other things will sus
gest themselves 10 your minds undoubt
edly. Our City Council il friendly 10 Ii
. cause Of temperance. Our Common
= wealth's Attorney. Mr.. Henley. wi
I stand on the side Of law and order. k
. as look hopefully 20 the future. Let L
J keep the saloon closed. and then deman
4 that our streets be quiet and orderl
and that any person selling liquor |
. punished 20 the extent Of the law. TIN
D can be done il you join as IN cevelopiu
a PUBLIC SENTIMENT against lawles
D ness. disorder and drunkenness.
{ The Law and Order League has com
= 70 STAY. We invite all law abidin
citizens 10 Jcln MS
{ 10 conclusion we are glad 20 annoInc
, that Judge William Hodges Maun. II
G distinguished author Of the Mann bill
; who was horn in Williamsburg, will a.
/ dress the people OF Williamsburg at ii
! Courthouse on Tuesday evening at
: o. N. AL are invited TO hear him.
c b. TREvuIAx.
. Pies. Law and Order Leagu
D n. T. LoUTHAS. Secretary.