Smyrna times., 1907-09-04

former paper, that 1 have avoided
them. have endeavored to be fair,
and many whom interviewed had not
always been friendly to local option,
and some of them had voted against it
when the question was presented years
ago.
Talk With Thomas W. EliasOu.
Among the prominent men of Ches-
tertown, and perhaps the most pro-
gressive of its citizens, is Thomas w.
EJiason. He is closely identified with
the town and its interests, and has
grown immensely wealthy out of his
business operations there.
l found him at his office busily en-.
gagged, but as soon as 1 made myself
and the purpose of my call known to
him, he cordially welcomed me.
''No business interests have in the
least suffered because of the operation
of the local option law, he said. "On
the contrary they have been materially
advanced, and as sustaining this state
ment let me say that the line of depo.
sists in our banking associations have
more than doubled since its enactment
Besides, nearly every improvement
and almost all the growth of the town
have taken place during the same
period"
"What about its influence upon the
morals of the community" 1 asked.
'Ah, that is the point" said he
'Fhere is where a marked difference
lies. If you had seen this town under
license and visit it now, you would b,
amazed at the happy in this moral as
pect.
Sin the days of the saloon, street
fights were common occurrences, sc
common as to call forth but little com
ment. Drunken men were familiar OBJ
iects, and disorderly conduct, especi
ally on Saturday nights, prevaile,
throughout the town. These thing
are unheard of now.
''Of course, said he, II do not pre-
tend to say that nobody drinks here
That would be preposterous. No lay
could prevent that, if it would. But
do say that the prohibitory law ha
practically driven out drunkenness
That liquor is brought here by tn
boat, and other conveyance, is un
doubtedly true, but where it used to b
brought in by barrels it is now brough
IN jugs; and, besides, there is nothin
IN the conduct or behavior of the peo
pie to show that a drop of it is brough
here.
''Let me tell you a little story,
said he, ''and incidentally show vo
Chestertown on a Saturday nigh
Several years ago on the States Attol
ney of st. Mary's County was visitin
ChestertOwn, and on a Saturday nigt
he and l took a walk about town. Tn
streets were literally thronged wit
peOple-citizens Of the town strollip
about; ladies going to and fro maxim
purchases; farmers doing their dealin
eolOred people everywhere, and ever,
thing orderly. We had walked throua
the business district and were retur1
ing. when the States Attorney sal
to me, 4 am perfectly astonished
what L see. Saturday night vol
streets crowded with all kinds of pe
pie, and quiet and good order prevail
ing. No drunkenness, no profanit
no disorderly conduct. Why, Leonar
town, IN my county, on a Saturd,
night is the scene of a drunken a,
disgraceful orgie. The town is lite
ally given over to men and bad co
duct. Ladies never think of ventu
ing upon the streets. 1 am indee
amazed at what behold here.
"Well, I said, 'Chesterton. on
Saturday night; when we had the ,
looms, were very much like your 4
scription of Leonardtown.
"Is it possible, he said. This
certainly fine object lesson in fay
OF local option
''Ah, yes" continued Mr.. Eliasc
ut is beneficial in every way.
well satisfied are our people with the l.
and its effect that any effort to seer
its repeal would, am sure meet W
overwhelming defeat"