The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1911-01-12
BUSINESS MEN MEET
COUNTY JUDGE
By appointment Judge Martin Receives
Large Delegation Of Citizens = Sa.
loon License Question
Discussed.

Friday afternoon a delegation of
Mcna business men. who desired to
express in this way their feelings re-
eardine the granting OF saloon licenses
in Mena for the year 1911. called on
County Judge Martin at the court
house.
Judge Martin first arranged to re-
ceive the citizens in the ChanceTy |
court room, but this was found to be
inadequate and the Circuit court
room was opened and soon filed with |
citizens. 1t was representative
gathering capitalists. professional men,
bankers, big merchants. little merch-
ants, and. in fact, men of most all
callings of business nature. There
were no saloon men present.
In few words it was made clear to
Judge Martin that the delegation was
not thus representing the saloons or
even champions of the license ques-
ton. Il was not their intention to
attempt to bring any influence upon
the county judge that might effect his
decision in the question, but realizing
that the issuance of licenses when a
county has voted for license is yet en-
tirely matter within the discretion
of the county judge. they felt that in
the present case where the result of
the peoples expression had been
thrown in doubt and uncertainty until
the case seemed to call for the county
judge to exercise his discretion to a
large degree, il would not be out of
place to come before his honor and ex-
press their feelings.
1t was made clear that they were
not there in that attitude as a general
principle. but that the peculiar condi-
tons surrounding Mena following the
removal of the division point. with the
thousands of dollars spent in the fight
and the loss of income in many other
ways placed the city in position of
serious need of all revenues possible
to obtain.
After these expressions had been
given Judge Martin assured those be-
fore him that he had the interest of
Mena and Polk county at heart, but
the people must remember that he, as
county judge, was but a creature of
the law, and while he appreciated the
spirit in which they came before him,
nevertheless his sworn duty was to
get at the true facts in the case be-
fore him and be guided by the results.
He called attention to the fact that
about four-fifths of the voters of Mena
were in favor of license, but under
the existing laws the voters from over
the county came in and had a voice
in deciding whether the sale of liquor
should be licensed in the city or not.
He said that he would not attempt to
say whether such law was right, but
as it was law he was under oath to
follow it,
| In the consideration of this case he
was seeking the facts and giving both
sides full opportunity to aid him by
producing such evidence as would
tend to show the expressed wish of
the people. which under his oath he
would follow.
j. b. Littlejohn came in during the
meeting and upon asking the question
and receiving reply as to the object
Of the meeting, urged that the vote
was IL against license and he was sur
prised at what he termed an effort to
set aside the will of the people" He
was assured by Judge Martin and 9TH
ers that this was not the desire of those
present. but that as the issuance of
a saloon license under certain condi-
tons became a matter within the dis
erection of the county judge they we're
there to urge that should Judge Mar
tin in finally passing on the case, find
that he could, under the law, grant
license, there we're at this time spec
lal reasons why such should be done.
After thanking Judge Martin for
giving them an audience the party of
business men withdrew.
1t is not known when the case viii
be finally passed upon. The hearing
was continued from January 2 to Fri
day, but owing to the absence of
attorneys II was not taken up by
Judge Martin.
|
i fight ON HOUSE RULES AGAIN