Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1906-01-30

over six thosand dollars. The papers
don't tell half. This is the most fascinating
class of gambling, and he would protect
his boys from its influences. Did not
believe shotguns would be needed, that
the courts will uphold moral sentiment
and uphold the law, and that the law
will not sustain the applicants for the
Turf Exchhnge." He believed that
every representative of the people should
express himself on this question.
B. c. Washington, Esq. thought cit
liens should sustain the ministers in ex-
preston. Was against the evil, aud
would oppose it In legal or any other
way.
Rev. DR.. Gheislin, of Shepherdstown.
said his town had held meeting and
passed resolutions. Harpers Ferry had
passed through various calamities, but
Harpers Ferry and Jefferson county had
come out with their fair names unsullied.
and he hoped this evil would never come
here.
Mr.. Charles Rissler related little per-
sonal experience with the st. Louis turf
exchange. and wanted no more turf ex-
change in his'n.
The following resolutions were unan-
mously adopted:
l.. That information obtained through
rol iot 10 oh 10 m, n fho
Metropolitan Turf Exchange as unnecessary.
without adequate compensation to this
County and State, a hidden snare to our
people. and highly injurious to the welfare,
order. and morality of society.
2. That the character, methods. and re-
suits of similar organizations, notably at
Jackson City, Va, at St. Asaph's and else
where, prove that their business was the
worst and most ruinous sort of gambling.
And our information leads us to believe that
this one, if allowed to enter upon its bust
ness in this County. would assume similar
character, use similar methods, and yield
similar results.
8. That we believe it would be far better
for the welfare and order of our people for
our County Court to refuse to license this
Exchange, than to run the risk of regulating
or of expelling it after it has been licensed.
1t required the power of the legislature of
Virginia to expel a similar organization from
Jackson City in that State.
4. Therefore this mass meeting most
earnestly demonstrates against licensing the
Metropolitan Turf Exchange, and respect
fully petitions our County Court to not
grant license to this or any similar organi-
cation to transact such unhallowed and per-
nicious business in this county.
5. That we also memorialize the Legis-
lature of West Virginia to rescind its action
of last winter whereby County Courts were
empowered, for the first time, to license
turf exchanges, and our representatives in
the Legislature are hereby requested to use
their influence to procure repeal of that
ill-adyised action.
6. That we heartily commend the action
of the Council of Harpers Ferry in rescind-
ing, on January 90, the action it had for
merly taken indorsing the application of the
Metropolitan Turf Exchange. which former
action was taken without sufficient knowl-
edge of the character of such exchanges.
Hon. Z. M. Wetzel moved that Rev.
DR.. A. C. Hopkins. Bishop Gravatt and
Rev. Father Collins draft resolution
complimenting the Harpers Ferry Town
Council for promptly resembling their
action in first voting for a license.
Rev. DR.. A. c. Hopkins was glad to
be able to say that in one sense protest
to the County Court was unnecessary,
as the members of that body would not
grant license. Stonewall Jackson once
charged at sunrise upon the enemy's
works, but found nobody in them-but
he gained an important position. So,
IN this case. the evil may be killed now,
but IT may come again, even in another
form, and we would be ready for it.
Petitions to the County Court were cir
culated and numerously signed
On motion of w. F. Alexander, it was
resolved that the resolutions be published
in the county papers and copies be sent
to the County Court and furnished to
to each Senator and Delegate represent
ing Jefferson county in the West Virginia
Legislature.
Judge Frank Beckwith offered reso-
lutions of thanks 10 the clergymen who
have taken such prompt action in the
subject matter of this meeting. Adopted.