The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-08-05
CITY HAS GROWN
WITHOUT ANY BARS
Great Prosperity Shown to Have
Prevailed in Winchester I'm
der Dry Regime.
IN MIDST OF BIG FIGHT
Vote Allowing Saloons Again 10 be
Taken Next TuesdayBoth
Sides Working Hard.
IN MIDST OF BIG FIGHT

Especial to The Richmond yirginian.)
WINCHESTER, VA, August 5.--
Another local option campaign Is on
In WSnchester--cailed this time by
the "wets'' who are endeavoring to
have the licensed saloon returned,
after an absence of more than two
years. The campaign this time is a
brief one. but few more than the
necessary thirty days required by law
having been given. and UP to within
the past week has been conducted
very quietly. While all the local pas
tors have been deeply interested and
have from time to time advocated the
cause of temperance in general and
local option In Winchester In particu-
lar. 1t was not until last Sunday that
the first big temperance meeting was
held his wHs conducted IN the
auditorium. and was presided over by
Hon. Holmes Conrad who introduced
the speaker. Rev Charles ID. BuIla,
editor Of the Baltimore Southern
Methodist. and formerly a local pas
tor. WHO made an impressive speech
to the large congregation of men gath
cred TO hear him. During the past
week Rev. u. j. Richardson. OF the
-Anti-Saloon League, has been deliver
ing chalk talks on the street cor
",
has spoken to large crowds. An effort
was made to break up his meeting
when he spoke at Main and Mon
mouth streets on Tuesday night when
some rowdies rang the fire belt OF the
South End Hose Company, in the inn
mediate vicinity. which, however. only
served to draw larger crowd. Last
night Raw. u p. McAiistar spoke from
the courthouse steps to d large
crowd. The liquor people have se-
cured the auditorium for next Sun
day, and It Is reported will have a
former clergyman, Rev. Father Was
son. to make an address advocating
the return Of the saloon.
City Has Prospexed.
when the Champaign was on lit
tie more than two years ago In which
the "drys'.s were victorious by a ma
jority OF e6 in a total vote slightly In
excess OF soe.~ the newspapers were
used very largely by both sides. Thus
far only the temperance people have
presented their cause through the
press. This has been done. however,
with great skill. and some convincing
arguments have been adduced, show
ing that ell lines OF business in the
city have improved under local option.
that the city's revenues have increas-
cd. and that this year alone there will
he surplus of over $4,000 above all
legitimate expenses which can be used
for improvements OF the streets and
the like. More than t20 new dwell
ings have been erected In the past
two years. three miles OF better streets.
a sweraGe system. q new postoff}ce
building. a magnificent library and
many substantial improvements to
business houses and the banks show
net increase I'm deposits of indfyi-
duals Of over $4,000, notwithstand-
ing the fact that three new banks
have been organized within a radius OF
rs mites. taking some business along
this line which formerly came to Win
chester. The only business which
shows decrease is the jail. and this
has been entirely vacant at times dur
ing the past two years. something un-
usual here.
Working Quietly But Hard.
The liquor people are evidently con-
Quoting a gum shoe campaign, and
II is known that they are working
hard. several ex-saloon keepers hav-
ing returned to Winchester to help
with the fight and to direct the wet
forces.
II Is impossible tn forecast the re-
suit accurately. and while the liquor
people display great confidence. the
work Of the Anti Saloon League.
under the capable direction OF Mr.. J.
r. Cooper. the local president. has
been very effective, and your CORES
pendent is OF the opinion that Win
chester wifi remain dry" perhaps by
a larger majority than was given two
years ago.