Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1911-04-13
Eirhtina Against the Saloon.

fIgnIfn& Against the odtVVh'
In response to call for conference
of persons who oppose the open saloon
in Jefferson county, an enthusiastic meet
ing was held in Charles Town last Mon
day afternoon. The interest in this
movement was surprise evento the tenn
perance advocates, for many representa-
tives OF the very best citizenship OF this
county we're present and showed an earn
estness that was most significant. Law
yers, doctors, merchants, newspaper
men, farmers, ministers and men OF vari-
GUS avocations were present, and they
all meant business.
Bishop w. L. Gravatt was made tenn
porary chairman of the meeting, which
was held in the county court room. and
in assuming his office made clear-cut
address in which he stated the object OF
the meeting to be the Punishment OF sa-
looms from this county. Conservative in
tone, the Bishops remarks were none
the less pointed and emphatic, and ne
struck the keynote in his inSistence that
for the general welfare OF the people the
saloon must 90. While committee was
preparing the draft for permanent or
ganization, Editor c. w. Boyer, of the
Martinsburg Statesman, was called upon,
and he spoke in an interesting manner OF
the recent victorious fight OF the temper
ance people in that city. His remarks
were encouraging and were applauded
by the gathering.
The committee on organization, OF
which Judge Frank Beckwith was chair
man, reported a form OF constitution
which was adopted, and then a perma-
nent organization was formed by elect
ing Capt. John T. Colston chairman, Geo.
M. Beltzhooyer, Jr., secretary, and Judge
Frank Beckwith treasurer. Five vice.
chairmen for each district in the county
were also provided for, though all OF
these were not named at the time, and
committees were appointed to carry on
the work.
When Captain Colston took the chair
he made some characteristic remarks OF
a pointed character, stating that while in
the past he had been a license man, he
had become convinced that the time was
now at hand to get rid OF the saloon and
he would do all in his power to this end.
He was heartily applauded, for his in
fluence will be great in tine fight for tem-
perance reform.
The plan of this organization is TO pre-
sent to the County Court petitions pray
ing it not to grant license for any saloon
in Jefferson county. The town council
OF Charles Town having declined to per-
nit vote on the question OF license or
no license, the people OF that place pre-
pared 10 petition the court, but the in
tereSt in the movement assumed such
proportions that it was found necessary
o take in the entire county. The petit
tons, therefore, will be to memorable
the court to issue no saloon licenses at
all. 1t is believed that an overwhelming
majority OF voters and taxpayers will sign
the petitions, and it is asserted that ma
jority OF the voters OF Charles Town will
endorse the no-license plan. We have
never before known of such an earnest
temperance sentiment, and il cannot but
result in great good.
Former State Senator William Campbell
announced at the meeting that Captain
Richard Pearson HobSon had agreed to
visit Charles Town and speak on the
temperance question. and Mr.. Campbell
was instructed TO wire him and arrange
for two addresses, one on Saturday al
ternoon OF this week at 230 O'Clock and
another on Sunday at 3 O'Clock. The
officers and committees OF the organiza-
ton will meet at 100 p. m, and there
will be general meeting at the conclu-
sion of Captain Hobson's afternoon ad-
dress.