Middletown transcript., 1907-08-24
LOCAL OPTION IN
SALISBURY, MD.
What . poninsnt Politician said
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE. ]

What pominene R0itlc1en bald
stopped on a street corner to speak to
an acquaintance, and soon number Of
gentlemen passing, joined :us. l spoke
of their beautiful town, and Of the pros
perity thai prevailed here. Presently,
one OF Maryland's prominent politicians
came up. and u was introduced to him.
Continuing d. remarks. said, Il pre-.
sumo local option has not worked any
harm to your prosperous conditions j"
Each of them quickly answered me that
local option s of imnipasureable benefit
TO every condition, public and private
when the politician spoke up.
Said he, .My dear sir, the elimination
Of the saloon has worked wonders in Wi
comico County in two years.
A few years ago We had thirteen saloons
here in Salisbury, and they almost ran
the town. We woke up TO the fact that
our town was being rum-ruIed. The sa.
loon dabbled in our public affairs, put
their creatures in our councils, aud boards
of direction, and endeaYored to dictate
our policies.
"We looked around US for some relief
from this condition, aud at length got
law passed taking the granting Of liquor
license ont Of the Circuit Court, and put
ting it in the hands Of tile Levy Court.
By this means, We reduced the saloons to
fye."
"WbiIe this was decided move in the
right direction, still it did not materially
effect the evil. Five saloons were just
five too many for the peace, good order.
sv6 prosperity 81 our town. But proved
al entering wedge, and two or three years
ago we struck it the final blow aud split
the evil wide open."
"How are the finances nf your country
under local option?" | asked him.
''Exceilentp he exclaimed. Far bet
ter than they have ever been. Assessable
property has almost doubled in value.
We are making public improvement all
over the county, appropriating more
money to our schools, making them bet
ter, and we are not compelled to borrow
q cent for anything We are spending
96O, 900 in the county this year, as against
$52, 900 last year, and We are better sble
to do it."
"What is your county tax rate?' I
asked.
"Lower this year than it has ever been
about s5 cents, /" he said. ''That means
the whole county tax, you understand.
We do not levy separate taxes. as you do,
such a. school, county, &C.. but We levy
q general tax, at certain rate, and then
appropriate out of the whole fund for the
several purposes.
How do you account for this improved
condition In your affairs?" l asked.
: ut costs us practically nothing to lcek
after criminals and paupers which are
produced by the saloon. Let me tell you
something. In 1908 and 'O4, the MaRis- /.
trase's Office in Salisbury VAS worth IL 900
q year in fees, the result Of drunkenness
and disorderly conduct. To-day, it is inos
worth $500. Bad for the Magistrate, you
will say, but fine Tor the town."
"HoW about speak.easies2" / asked.
"They absolutely cut no figure" he re-
piled. "They cannot flourish III town
without somebody knowing il, and by
and by everybody knows il. and--weII
you know there is but one way to deal
with them. Speak-easiss do not flourish
here. We do not permit them TO exist.
That's all there isto it. What disturbs
us most is the drunkenness aud disorderly
conduct that comes here from Delmar in
your state, and from Worcester our neigll- |
boring county, which IL wet. Nine cut
OF every len drunks that are seen he,e
come from one Or boti, 81 these place.
aWelI," / said, Delaware is guing dry /
next fall"
s.And 50 will Worcester county. am
sure, liz said.
Az thanked linn for the information
lie had given me, aud In. eI 10 90, lie
said: II hope you will lf.t think, from
ls.y earnest speecls that am villa, is
termed q t~U.i~ ice crank, | am
,sos. Il. bri. ,.ssaI 70 Be accused q
Irnnine 9 .asle the uil Or way. NJ.
haze ljysd liere under both conditions,
and am but relating facts When ton 70
hack % Delaware. snd talk 10 yourseters,
seli them lhsa sls ifRplf q Salisbury say