Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1907-09-11
Views on the Liquor Situation
Presented by a Citizen

ITeseHteu ny Cltlzen
LEXINGTON, VA, Sept. 9, 1907
EDITOR GAzETTE:-Some week:
ago letter appeared in the col.
umns of your paper, written from
Kerr's Creek district, protesting
against the licensing CT still-houses
In that district, when it is a well
known fact that the district by q
popular vote had gone "dry" in
stead of "wet" on more than one
occasion. We think the point
made by the writer was we'll taken,
for the following reasons:
Under our form of government
the peoples will should be supreme
under ell circumstances; and again,
all Virginia law fer the licensing
of the manufacture or sale of
ardent spirits is within the breast
OF the court: the statute reads,
"that the couit may do and So"
and the very highest court of the
land has decided tina: although
the applicant may fulfill all the re.
quirements of tie law, still the
court may refuse to grant such
license.
And now, Mr.. Editor, since this
question has been raised by the
Kerr's Creek people, what about
our Lexington district Is not the
town Of Lexington "dry" town.
and this by the popular voteP
A few days ago you, Mr. Editor,
took the oath as mayor of the town
Of Lexington, and this is my reason
for addressing this letter to you.
Do you intend to allow few un-
prlncipled men to run speak
easies" Tor pig ears" rs they are
called in other pats of the coun-
try) indIscriminately in the town
of LexingtoR2 Lexington bears u
peculiar relation to the outside
world. 1t is an educational GER
ter, and our University and Inst
tute are largely patrunized by
foreigners. And what Il Eumilia
ton ii is that few tad mel are
allowed to ply their liquor trade,
without let or hindrance. right in
our midst. Can't you, Mr.. Mayor, |
breakup this sort of thing2
The writer met the past slm-
.mer, in another State, an old ac
guaintance who had had son
several sessions at Washington and
Lee, and when the subject was
mentioned, the man with a sad,
far.awsy look. said to me: "Yes,
my sen did GO 10 Lexington to
,chcol, and when he left home |
thought he was a good, pure boy,
hut be came back Il drunkard and
fend his health is gone
and there is now no hope for him"
What is the use TO attempt to
educate boy under such condi
tions2 Education is for future
usefulness, and boys that are
drunkaIds and cigarette fends
have no future. Like wormy ap-
pies. they drop long before their
tire, and "the place thereof shall
know them no more
What sad thing it is to see
boy, who has been the pride of his
fatLer aud mother, sent away &c
college and there contract tie to-
bacco and liquor habits, and re-
turn home wreck And uay | not
say to the professor who has the
''tell tale" yellow stain upon the
tips of his fngers, that this stain
has u stronger smell of human
blood than the lily white hands OF
Lady Macbeth had, when she ex-
claimed, Gail the perfumes of
Arabia will not sweeten this little !
hand.
Mr.. Mayor, what has become of
,ur Good Government League that /
vas formed last winterP The Law
# Virginia is all right to punish {
criminals of the class named, but
,e a law never so good, it depends {
IA public opinion fer Its execution
he sanction of the public is neces
airy for the execution OF every :
aw, otherwise it will be dead
etter on the statute book.
Who could hear unmOved and I
that powerful ser ,
non Of DR.. Howerton yesterday t
t tie Lexington Presbyterian :
hurch, for rig hit living2 How he Il
Explained the different grooves of = =
in, first the loss of selfrespect,
hen the loss of shame; until final.
2 the nan becomes desperadoi g
nd this is the condition of the q
lexington liquor seller.
Mr.. Mayor, try the law and SEE
hat virtue lie in IT.
A CITIZEN.
DDeuiup of w. l.. u. Tomorrow