The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-15
EarnestLetter from a Number
Of Prominent Citizens.
THE SYSTEM a FAILURE
Evil Results ofthe Institution at Boyd
ton Described by Those Who Have
Accurately Seen Its Working
at Close Range.

~
In your ISSUE OF Sunday, the first In
stant, there appeared an article from
Boydton pronouncing the dspensary a
grand success. This article, as far as we
understood 1t, referred to the dispcnsary
from the standpoint OF business only
Viewed from this standpoint alone, the
institution has been successful. 1t has
brought q good revenue to tho town OF
Boydton and has added something to tho
Golfers Nof the State 1t is managed by
men OF character and fine business atil.
lty, and Is as thoroughly respectable as
an institution OF its kind could be.
In Its high respecability and orderu.
ness the great danger OF the dIspensarv
as demorallzing agent has been proved
70 be a lie. and from this thoroughly re-
spectacle business house q constantly In
creaslng stream OF intemperance, such n
stream as licensed bar-room or unlicensed
1ug-peddler never yet gave life to. is
flowing out into and through our COM
munlty, threatening sooner or later to
Destroy tho character and manhood OF
many OF our best citizens and hitherto
useful and honored men, as well as to
oepauch and corrupt many OF our young
men and boys before they have really ar
rived at years OF discretion.
Ihere are men In every community who
Will haye their LIQUOR. and who are not
particular as to where they get It. but
these men for tho most part belong to
the lower classes or are already hope
lessly gone themselves. Gentlemen. as
general thing do not patronize jug-pcd-
dlers. and few of them, in this community
at least. patronize open bar-rooms But
from this thoroughly respectable dispen-
gary, wherein vice Itself has lost ha. its
horrors by losing all its grossness," men
OF character and OF comparative temper
Once habits do not hesitate to purchase,
and purchasing in quantity (the institu-
tion cannot sell by the drink, carry of
more than they want. and generally treat
1t out to others, Just as respectable as
themselves, who in turn buy more from
tho same respectable source. that they
may return the treat 80 generously given,
In this way habits Of intemperance
have been and are being incuca ted to
nm alarming extent. Men who had not
been known to drink for years before
the opening OF this thoroughly respecta-
bic establishment. now walk unsteadily
along the streets. Young men are con-
stantly to be met with whose breath
smells Of alcohol and whose eyes are not
unfrequentiy bloodshot, and our h1ghes.
and best element OF manhood In some In
stances, and wat should belong 20 our
highest and best type OF manhood In a
few years. In other instances, are being
gradually but surely debauched. We hold
that revenue dearly bought by any State
or community which is paid for by the
debauchery OF the young and the sacri-
flee Of the manhood Of many OF her citl.
gems. It Is true that the dispensary does
not sell to minors. but there are always
dissolute men around who either Nor a
consideration, or from natural and ac-
auired depravity OF heart. arc ready and
willing to get 1t for them. The greatest
danger to tho young, however, we re-
gard as lying In the constant and tnor-
oughly respectable examples of intempcr-
ance. which are daily before their eyes
Another serious objection to the dis
pensary system. and we think 1t grave
one. Is that the whole community indl-
rectly shares In the improvements which
are made with the profits arising from
this thoroughly respectable and Thor
oughly unholy traffic, Thus men Of honor
and character and women OF pure hearts
and noble purpose are made stockholders
IN (vhether they will or no) this thor
oughly respectable and demoralizing bus-
ness. We submit that neither State nor
community has the right thus to degrade
Its citizens and to compel them to part-
cipate in such a traffic against their will.
In view Of the publications in The
Times Dispatch. referred to In the begin
ming. and In consideration of the facts
herein set forth. and In consideration OF
other facts not herein mentioned, we the
undersigned citizens Of Boydton, desire
to say that In tho light OF present ex-
perience (many Of us were earnest advo-
Gates Of the dispensary In the beginning),
we believe the dispensary to be the most
dangerous. misleading and demoralizlng
form In which liquor has ever been sold
n this community; that we are now thor
)ughly opposed to the d1spensary system;
THAT we are satisfied that q majority Of
Z bur citizens are opposed to the same,
Ind that 1t Is q question of a short time
Ehcn the dispensary Will be abolished.
We appeal to The Times Dispatch and to
}he members Of the General Assembly
II Virginia to do what in them lies to pre-
vent this system from being fastened
Ipon or permitted in old Virginia.
(signed).
IN. WILLIAMS, OF Williams & Goode.
Bankers
3, II. ROBERTS, Jeweler.
G, HASKINS, Hotel and Livery.
g. M. PHILLIFS, Livery and Farmer.
M. "A. WALLER, Merchant.
A. T. SNELLINGs, Druggist
q. w. WELLS. Toba cconist.
p. "A. RAINEY, Merchant.
R. D. H1GHTOWBR. Merchant.
W. J. TooNE Merchant.
W. G. PLEAsANTS, Merchant.
@. N. WELLS. Treasurer Of Anecklen-
+. burg county.
II. N. BEALDs, Deputy Treasurer.
T. J. WILLIAMS, Superintendent OF
F Poor for NfecKlenburg.
.. CHAMBERS GOODE, Common
wcalths Attorney for Mecl1lenburg.
Rev, p. I. BAPTIST.
Rev. G. II, LAMBERT.
J. P. Bryson, Salesman.
JAMES D, BRYsoN. Salesman,
N. p. LEA, of N, p. Lea G. Co., Tobac.
consists.
II. L. ATKINS. NJ. D.
A. W. LLOYD, Druggist.
CHARLES T.. REEISDs, Attorney at
Law and Commissioner In Chancery.
G. ). FAUL.kNER, Attorney at Law.
Commissioner In ChanCery, and Pros.
ident of Bank of Mecklenburg.
THOMAS A. JONES.
w. r. BEALEs, Deputy Sheriff.
JAMES HUDSON, Tobacconist and
Auctioneer.
CTATE HnMMICCI