Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1911-03-30
Martinsburg Goes DRY"

BY the decisive majority Of liz votes
the people Of Martinsburg on MONDAY
last expressed themselves as opposed II
liquor saloons in that city. There were
1873 votes for license aud l $40 against
the total of 2,448 being the heaviest vote
ever cast in the city at any election.
Both sides worked to their utmost to gel
out the vote, the temperance people being
aided by the good women of the town
very materially. An aIl-day prayer-meet-
ing was held in the Lutheran Church, and
when the result was announced there was
great rejoicing at the temperance head
quarters. The dox Jlogy was sung twice
and the church bells were rung loud and
long in celebration OF the victory. The
sentiment of the town was strongly for
no-license, and business and professional
men and ministers and laymen reioiced
together.
The election was held by permission
of the council in order to get the sense of
the people on the question of license or
no license. Although it is not legally OBJ
ligatory, the council will obey the wishes
of the voters, and will refuse recommen-
dation for licenses for two years from the
first Of next July. Sixteen saloons and
three brewery branches will be put out Of
business.
The campaign was begun as matter
OF public necessity, almost, for the sa-
looms were so "wide open" and drunk
enness and disorder had become so ram
pant, that the people determined to put
an end to the evil. AT each weekend
the roughs and toughs from the town and
the public works in the county adjoining
took possession of the place, and it was
annoying and dangerous for ladies to be
on the streets. Saturday nights the lock-
ups would be filled beyond their capacity
with drunken men, and many country
persons found conditions so objection
able that they hesitated to 60 to the place
to trade. When the movement was start
ed to clean the city, most of the leading
men joined in heartily. and they put up
splendid campaign. Speakers of nation
al reputation delivered addresses, local
workers were enlisted, facts and figures
given the people and temperance literature
extensively circulated. The liquor ad-
vocates were busy, also, but before they
realized their danger they were practical
ly beaten. They held but one public
meeting-last Friday night-when the Sa-
looms were defended by former Mayor
Rose, OF Milwaukee, Congressman Adam
Littlepage, of Charleston, and Stuart w.
Walker, OF MartinSburg. The meeting
was not much OF success, for the tenn
erance speakers like Captain HobSon,
Governor Hanley, Seaborn Wright and
other noted men had set pace that was
hard to follow.
The Martinsburg Statesman was
straight-o for no license, and gave very
effective help to the temperance cause.
The World and the Journal took no sides
in the contest editorially, but published
advertisements OF both the vets and drys
with cheerful impartialty. The men who
were most active in carrying on the work
of the temperance campaign were Rev.
w. F. Gruver, chairman OF the executive
committee; c. w. Boyer, secretary; Rev.
John S. Douglass, Postmaster E. c. Hen
shaw and Alexander Clohan. The sa-
loon interests were represented by those
directly interested, OF course, and also
had the services OF Attorneys Stuart w.
Walker, H. H. Emmert and Clarence E.
Martin. Former Senator Faulkner had
a letter published expressing himself
against local option. The business men
of the town, as rule, we're for temper
ance, and on Monday closed up their
stores and engaged in active work among
the voters. Many old combinations and
were broken up during the
campaign and new friendships were FORM
ed that will have decided influence upon
the future political situation in Berkeley
county.
The Register offers its siIcereSt con-
gratulations to the courageous men who
have fought such a good fight and won
such splendid victory, and we rejoice
with the people generally in the triumph
OF order and decency and temperance.