The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1908-12-31
Model License Agitation.

Gether a political one. except in SO
fur as the Prohibition party tries to
make It. The pancity OF the votes
that party received emphasizes the
fact that the, effort from the political
= point of yick Is an absolute failure.
Yet there are features of the ques-
ton that bring It Within the politl-
cal scope, however much the protest
may be made that 1t is positively not
iil politics.
What regulation there has been in
the sale OF liquor in West Virginia
has been brought about by the Re-
publican party. which has achieved
the several reforms that exist, such
as Sunday closing and the severe pen
alties imposed for other violations,
such as the conduct OF sreakeasles.
The Democratic party as a state or
ganizatlon has been but lukewarm in
these reforms, though 1t may be
said that Ia localities 1t has opposed
the liquor business and in other To-
calities. aided and abetted 1t. Doubt
less, when locality is considered the
same may be said OF the Republican
party.
However, 1t Is and should be pure
iy a non-polltical question as 1t now
comes before the People. The sub
mission OF the amendment does not
necessarily make 1t a political ques-
ton.
1t isl subject that causes dlfferen-
ces of opinion in political circles.
The Democratic camp is divided on
the question as is also the Republic
can party in sentiment in reference
to the sale of liquor. And. thus 1t
would seem that the question Shout
stand solely on It's own EN- irtseodr
merits.
In a sense at least the National
Model License League has been work
ing with that end in view in West
Virginia and its efforts have results
cd In inducing thousands Of liquor
men in this State to advocates such
a license system in West Virginia.
Some Republican newspapers are
strenuonsly opposing such license as
against the submission OF the amend
ment. While some Democratic news
papers quite strongly ask for the
adoption of the proposed license sys-
TEN. One of the strongest requests
yet presented in its favor is by, the
Wheeling Register, which states edl-
torlally:
The amendments to the laws regu-
lating the sale OF liquors in West
Virginia, which the Model License
League has embodied in bill to be
considered at the coming session OF
the legislature, would, ii written in
to the statutes of the state, prevent
most ofthe evils of which enemies of
the saloon complain. The two prin-
clpal reforms provided for are the
Limitation OF the number of retail
dealers, and stringent provisions for
suspension and forfeiture of license
upon proof of violations of the law.
1t Is provided in the bill that ther.
should he not more than one license
for each 500 population. Under such
law there would not be more than
eighty to ninety saloons in Wheeling.
The most drastic provision, however,
is that which makes it mandatory
upon the court rendering judgment
upon conviction Of violation OF a
liquor law, to suspend license for
thirty days as part of judgment on
first conviction, and TO cancel license
as part OF Judgment upon second con-
viction. Such rrovislen, honestly
enforced, would make every saloon a
1aw-respecting Institution. 1t would
speedily end the petty misdemeanors
OF which many saioonists have been
guilty. Itswould eliminate the social
and gambling evils. stop sales to
minors and drunkards. and make the
traffic in liquor respectable bust.
ness.
The fact tsst there are 5000
members of the Model License
League in West Virginia furnishes
convincing proof OF the intention of
most of the retail liquor dealers to
conduct their saloons within the law.
The saloon keepers who do not ac-
quiesce in this program must obey
the law or suffer tho penalty which
they dread most-forfeiture of ii.
cense. Even those who will be sat.
SIZED with nothing short of absolute
prohibition cannot withhold approx,
4 al Of the program of the Model Iii.
cense League.
Week of Animal Husbandry.
Animal iushandry IS the attrac.