Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1903-01-23
Anti.Salo0n League.

The Anti Saloon League of Montgomery
county held Its annual meeting In Rock.
Vile on Friday last. The following officers
we're elected:
President, Asa M. Stabler; Vice Presi-
dent, John H. Gassaway; Secretary, F. W.
Snowden; Assistant Secretary, F. T. Grit.
fifth; Treasurer, w. D. Burdette; District
Vice Presidents, Fillmore Burriss, W. T..
Dowden, Rev. R. S. Owens, Rev. R. L.
McNair, R, H. Miller, B. 9. Hughes, Rev.
P P. Flournoy, B. H. Miller, Z. G. Ward,
G. R. Bell, W. A. Maxwell, G. W. Day
and A. g. Warthen.
The following is the annual report of the
President:
The sixth annual meeting of the Anti.
Saloon League of this county, which we
hold this day, January 18th, 1903, complet.
ing seven years of our history, enable US to
record another year of success in work for
which the League was organized.
Every year of Its existence has been a
year of success. Not that we have succeed.
ed in everything we have undertaken, but
that each year we have made progress.
There have been many obstacles In the way
and some still exist, with new ones added,
but one Of the best evidences Of success Is
that these obstacles have not defeated us,
but have rather made us stronger. The sue
cesses OF the past year may lead to the dan
ger of overconfidence, We call on all good
citizens to rally to the support of the League
now. We will try to show at this meeting
some reasons why they should.
There are always three persons In this
Whn nnAaF tho In
close every saloon or drinking place in the
county. These three are the Judge of the
Circuit Court, the States Attorney and the
Sheriff. 1t is certain that all three of them
can do 1t, it is not so certain that any two Of
them can do 1t, and it is hardly possible that
either one alone can do it, During the past
year the Judge has used the strong inf1u.
ence of his position In favor of the enforce
ment OF the local option law. His position
has been admired and commended by many
citizens. The States Attorney has been
faithful to his oath of Office and has
used proper diligence in bringing to justice
persons indicted by the grand jury. The
third officer, the Sheriff, necessary TO COM
plete success in furnishing offenders, has not
seemed TO appreciate the importance OF en-
forcing this law. As this officer cannot serve
longer than one term. 1t is hoped the citi.
zens may be able to select one tor sheriff at
the next election who will more diligently
cooperate with the two other officials named.
The laws against selling liquor and against
gambling in this county are clearly defined
and explicit; every official should be, and
doubtless is, familiar with them. And II,
after taking solemn oath to enforce the
provisions of these laws, he fails to carry
out his solemn promise, he subjects himself
to the righteous condemnation Of his fellow
citizens and can make no defense.
We are more than ever convinced that the
people of this county will sustain those Off
Gals who promptly and vigorously prose-
cute all offenders against law, and will con-
denim those who TAIL in their duty In this
regard. The very safety of our homes and
institutions lies along this way. So long as
the local option law and the anti.gambing
laws are upon the statute books they must
be enforced, and no official, including the
County Commissioners, has any choice of
his own to favor some or TO excuse some.
All violators must share alike.
That the liquor men will make another
effort 10 repeal these laws at the next Legis
lature, we have no doubt. They have failed
in every effort heretofore, will they fail the
next timer The election in November next
will .swer this question. Or it may be
practically answered in the primaries to be
held two or three months before the cleo
ton. Already the field is being scanned for
available men. Let us try 10 secure the
nomination of good men in the primaries;
il we fail in this, let US exercise the right OF
every Tree citizen and vote against doubtful
men at the polls.
L. will not be necessary In this annual
to go into the details of the Court
work Tor the past year The Committee on
Law Enforcement will do that In their re
port about to be presented. All the mem.
bers OF the Executive Committee are aware
that for two years past have been DESTROYS
of retiring from the presidency OF the League.
The way seemed To them not clear 10 relieve
me. In October last | resigned my Office.
The committee requested that 1t be laId on
the table for future action. This will be the
last day that will occupy the Office. | am
happy to state that another citizen, expert
enced in the work and fully capable, will sue
coed me. There will be some changes also
in the other offices, but the work will go on
even more vigorously. ask the co.opera-
ton and encouragement OF every good citi
zen, including the ladies' The help rem
dered by them Is indispensable. Thanking
you all for any kind words Of cheer and ask
ing my successor your cordial support, am
your fellow worker,
WARREN CHoATE.
The following committees were appointed
Law Enforcement, Frank Higgins, Charles
X. Hartshorne, Albert f. Shoemaker, War
rem Choate and w. X. Andrews; Agitation,
George X. Bell, II. Z. West, q, W. Day, X.
l.. McNair and Samuel Nicholson Legis-
lation, T. J. Owens, b. Ii. Miller, Asa M.
Stabler, George O. Myers and j. II. CASA
way Afflliation, Charles X. Hartshorne, W.
A. Maxwell, II. M. Austin, J. A. Hopkins
and Mrs. Sarah Miller.