The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1909-06-17
r1,e c,harleston situation.

ton in the capital city of the state,
brought about by the refusal of It's
city council to grant licenses for the
sale of liquor, such action not having
been sdelegated,that body by the peo-
pie and not having been an issue in
the city election 1t being taken for
granted that license would be grant
ed.
1t is, plain there is something be-
hind the action of the council, which
smacks loudly of petty politics or
personal prejudice and spite.
Teh Register comments as follows
on the Charleston case:
'*rhe Register has somewhere or
somehow received the impression
that there is something behind the
refusal OF the Charleston council to
grant liquor license, other than the
prohibition sentiment in that body.
1t seems to be the belief of great
many persons that the vote by which
the provision now in the license ordi-
nance for legalizing the sale of liz
uor in the capital city was defeated
did not correctly represent the rela-
tive strength OF the license and total
abstinence factions. If this view is
correct, and the Charleston council,
or any considerable number of its
members are juggling the saloon
question with Interior motives, those
who are placing themselves in false
attitude cannot be too severely crit
sicised.
THE right of councilmen to vote
as they please on the license question
cannot he disputed. hut II they are
insincere, or il they are actuated by
reasons which are purely personal or
political, they are unworthy servants
of the people of Charleston. They
have invited criticism by their ap-
parent disregard for the financial
condition of the city. and their fail
ure to provide other methods of rails
Ing revenue to meet the expenses of
the municipality. The city faces a
certain deficit If liquor licenses are
not granted, and the no-license coun-
fcilmen cannot justify their course
unless they present a specific and
practical plan OF raising the funds
that will be necessary to prevent the
deficit"
A mugwump movement started in
Glarksburg before the recent city
election here. but not for the purpose
of ousting the saloons as shown by
the personnel of the ticket put up by
that crowd, as several of them we're
known to be avowed liQuor-lcense
advocates, hut some who sought to
run out the saloon took advantage OF
the movement, for they thought they
saw an opportunity to run in enough
men. who showed prohibition ten
denotes to vote the saloon out. and
In doing this, they became largely
identified with the liquor-approvine
element of the mugwump crowd
though they strenuously denied any
alliance, whatsoever, The results al
the polls showed how little the peo,
pie thought of the arrangement.
The motive of the temperance ad,
vocates in becoming Unidentified witt
the mugwumps was apparently solel,
to defeat license and not to crafty
any petty politics, spite or ambition
But. the motive of the mugwumps
themselves was entirely different
from that OF the temperance advo
Gates. In both parties they were dis
satisfied and disappointed because
neither would allow them to manin
ulate the party and this impellet
them ITO party perfidy. Their sol,
desire was either to elect men to of
flee whom they could control or tax,
up the reins of government them
selves. 1t was not moral question
with them, nor was it one as to tn,
welfare of the finances of the city
The leaders of the mugwump part,
wanted power and they bent thei
energies in that direction entirely.
Even after defeat they though
they might bring about condition
that would deprive the city of reve
nue. and throw it into bankruptcy
thereby bringing about demoral
ization of public affairs that might il
some unwarranted manner drive tn
people to them for succor. But
again We're they doomed to dlsap
pointment, and the city is assured o
dts usual revenue to be expended Il
running the government and maxim
improvements.
Petty politics We're attempted her
the same as in Charleston, but goo
Judgment prevailed in Clarksbure
ar !. ~ gsi'L