The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-03-02
LOO
Ministers Explain Their Part in
Petition to the Legislature.

StlSlOii W NltS kSsiolot6hSs
Editor OF The Times Dispatch.
Slr,-On last Wednesday evening, Feb
ruary 2ist, we, tho undersigned minis
tors, pastors OF churches In Pocnlontas,
Va, appeared before the Senate Com-
mittee on Finance and, Banking In the
interest Of the Mann bill. For this we
have been severely criticised and accused
OF "dabbling In politics" Kindly permit
us n In your columns to state the
purpose OF our visit to Richmond, Va.
We We're there to urge the passage OF
that feature OF the Mann bill prohibits
Ing the location of n saloon within two
hundred feet OF n church or school house.
Before that committee. the statement
was made by our opponent that the pas
snge OF this bill would close nine saloors
In Pocahontas. This gives you some idea
OF the condition of affairs in our town.
Fourteen saloons and three wholesale beer
houses In this small town. and nine OF
them within two hundred feet of our
places of worship!
Again, 1t seems to be the policy Of n
part of our Town Council to refuse license
for saloons on our main streets only.
II this policy succeeds, we are wondering
how many more saloons Will be located
within two hundred feet of our churches!
To-day n saloon stands Just across the
street in front OF the Methodist church.
to open this saloon was granted
by the Town Council In the face of the
protest Of the pa aston of the Methodist
church, backed by his official board and
other ministers of the town. who np-
peared before the Council with n petit
ton, asking that license be not granted
TO open this saloon ut this place.
A short time ago n plan was on foot
TO open n saloon on tn corner just across
the street from the Norfolk and Western
depot. Had this plan succeeded, or should
1t yet succeed, the main entrance to the
town will be between two saloons. We
believe. the Mann bill will close the two
saloons OF TIE opposite side OF tho street,
thus leaving one side OF the street for
our ladies and others to get into town
Without passing right by the door Of II
saloon.
1t has been claimed that this two hun
dred feet limit would deprive the town
OF Pocahontas of So, 400 revenue. because
1t would drive nine saloons out OF town.
Many OF the men who would be effected
by this bill have other buildings outside
the two hundred foot limit to which they
can move. In fact. we believe thcre is
only one man who has not another be-
You'd two hundred feet from a church or
school house to which he could move
should the Mann bill become a law.
With this condition of affairs, we felt
that it was time for the pastors of the
churches to assist In any way possible
in the passage of the Mann bill.
We did this only because of our In
terest in the temporal. moral and spiritual
welfare of the people of this town.
II this be 'dabbling in politics." we
expect TO keep on .dabbling."
In our local option election. December
18th last. the saloons were kept here by
only eleven majority. We feel that the
large minority Is due some consideration.
The Mann bill will give us much relief,
and we hope 1t will become law.
Very respectfully.
S. w. MOORE.
GUSTS FLETCHER,
N. r. CARTRIGET,
Pastors of Pocahontas Churches.
Pocahontas, Va. Feb. q, 1906.