Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1909-07-13
Business Men form Association.

the Virginia Hotel from $3.50 to Il
clock for the purpose of discussing tn,
situation in regard TO the wet and dry
campaign now being waged in tn,
city, and forming permanent organi
cation opposed to prohibition. An or
ganization to be known as the Business
Mems Mems Association was formed
with the following officers:
President, Mr.. Clarke Worthington
ice-President, Mr.. w. B. Anderson
Secretary, Mr.. James III. Woodward.
Executive Committee: Messrs. Frank
Walter, James H. Woodward, M. T.
Bergin, J. }. Kilgalen, Fl. G. Braxton,
c. S. Hunter, L. w. III. Peyton, w.
T. McCue and George Blackley.
The meeting was presided over by
Captain James Bumgardner.
The object OF the association as
stated in its platform, is as follows:
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
l. This Association, believing that
the continued agitation of the question
of legally licensing or not licensing the
sale of alcoholic and malt liquors in
this community tends to disturb the
peace of the community, and the bust
ness prosperity of the city, do protest
against it as unnecessary and uncalled
for.
1t is within the memory of all citi-
zens that the election held two years
ago created much ill-feeling; and the
renewal of that contest. however con-
servatively conducted by those on
the other side of this question, cannot
tend to that unity of social and bust
ness feeling which makes for the best
interests, moral and material, of the
2. The Business Mems Association
stands for temperance and sobriety in
all things. 1t does not encourage in
or the indulgence in the
use of intoxicating liquors. Its men,
bers believe that the best method of
regulating and controlling the liquor
traffic in Staunton, as demonstrated
by past experience, and upon a fair
and impartial comparison with the ex
perience of other cities where prohibi-
ton through the local option laws has
been tried, is by the legally licensed
safe of intoxicants, by responsible par
lies under the control of the laws,
and rigidly executed.
3. The Business Mems Association
point to the dockets of the courts of
.he city for the demonstration of con-
litions in this city, showing that the
avs governing the liquor traffic are
obeyed by the liquor deal
rs, and citizens, and properly enforced
oy the authorities; that there is no
Sunday selling, or selling after pre-
cribed hours; no selling to confirmed
no selling to minors, and !
10 infractions of the rules laid down in
he statute books ON this subject.
They point further to the fact that
he business is confined within a linn
ted section of the city, where there
re no schools, private residences, or
hurches, and in a radius easily Access
ible to the police.
Tney believe that the present situa-
ion is one that should not be changed
Or one that may materially injure the
business prosperity of the city, and
orrnpt its morals by the introduction
f acts of law-b breaking and immorali-
Y that have characterized many places
there prohibition has been tried.
We are city of churches, schools
nd public institutions, of a religious
nd moral atmosphere, where the spir-
,ual and moral law reigns, and where
he civil law is rigidly enforced. We
rye upon the citizens of Staunton that
his condition should be allowed to
lntinue
4. Our position in this matter is
iken in spirit of perfect good will
,ward those whose opinions do not
gree with ours, and because we are
onvinced that any change in present
onditions will not be fruitful of good,
ut will, on the contrary, be produc-
We OF much harm. Our city is in the
fost prosperous condition of it's histo-
y; peace and good order prevail; our
eople are employed and at living
7ages: business conditions are excel
ent; new houses are arising on every
and and the old ones, both business
nd residence, are occupied; our banks
re teeming with deposits; property
alues are high and property of every
ort is in great demand; our present
ak rate yields just enough to meet the
emands OF government, and with the
eavy obligations imposed by the an
IeXatlon OF our new territory, it will
re impossible to carry out our agree
nent with this territory and to meet
lecessary demands without an increase
+ taxation, in the event an important
present source of revenue is lost. The
liquor business of the city is in the
lands of men of character and respon-
'ility who make conscientious effort
o observe the laws strictly Minor
iolations of the law, although rarely
are promptly and severely
punished.
8. Believing, too, in the right of
'ersonal liberty, and believing that
leither morality nor temperance are
apable of being created or enfored by
tatute, but proceed from the influences
+ the church, the home, the school,
nd from civic pride and righteousness,
We appeal to the citizenship of Staun-
on in behalf of what we conceive 10 he