Connecticut western news., 1911-01-12
"Citizen" Hits "Liberal"

Editor News: have been quite in terested in the communications appear ing in your publication of late concern 1 ing the revival of the Board of Trade, and am in hearty accord with your sug- gestiOns, but having lived in the town for thirty eight years and having seen this little village prosper for twenty seven years under no-license, l would state that the suggestions hitherto made Ill previous communications to your 1 columns that business has fallen off since the October election seems absurd and untrue, and to come from a source not representative of the business interests of the town.
 I have personally interviewed a majority of the stores ill town and they inform me that this information Is 1n- correct and untrue, and as matter of fact the business done by them during the holidays far exceeded that of d year ago, and that thelr business has ln- creased rather than diminished since Town Meeting.
 The business interests of the people l,who held licenses to sell intoxicating liquors undoubtedly suffered somewhat ot depression on account ot the October election, but all other business of the town is in as good shape financially and are doing as much business as before. In your last issue there appeared a reference to those who voted mo- license" as being fanatical and as hay ing cut off their own noses. Have you heard anyone who voted mo o-license" make any apology for so doing? l am willing to openly state that no person in town who voted "No' on the license question last October has had any reason to regret it. The only people who have grumbled and roared over the result of the vote are those who were depending, either directly or indirectly, upon the sale of intoxicating liquors thereby talk ing advantage of their fellowmen's B weaknesses and thereby depriving wives and children of clothes and food. AS to the fact that out.of-town trade had diminished 1 would inquire if g, / one who has watched this out-of-town trade departing for home while the town was licensed ever saw them carrying home clothing, groceries, or toys for their children. No. They were loaded all right, but not with toys for their child. ren, or clothes for their wives. Ask the conductors on the passenger trains. They will tell the truth. They will tell you how such and such character from Mt.
 
 ing killed in trying to get on or off their trains, after having made his purchases in Canaan. They will tell you about fights and quarrels, swearing and the use of vile language upon their trains by these people who made their pur- chases in Canaan while it was licensed. Ask any of the employees around the railroad station about this. Since the sale of liquor has stopped uur wives and children can go over to our railroad station, or pass through our streets, and not be compelled to listen to insult ing and vile language of the drunken men as they were compelled to during the two years of license.
 We existed for twenty-seven years without license and have seen the town grow and prosper. It was interesting to notice from the last census that North Canaan was the only small town, save one, in Litchfield county which showed an increase of population be- tween 1900 and 1910, and during the greater part of this time the town was no-license, while several other towns which have been licensed showed that not only they have not grown, but that they decreased ill population. think that the person who has been contributing to your columns as a representative of the business men is suffering from an extreme case of exaggerated ego," and is expressing his own personal views upon this question under the guise of representa- tive business man, and does not fairly express the views of majority or any great number of the town.
 In closing this letter am almost in clined to sign my own name to the communication but will make this offer. If the person who has written the communications appearing in your col umns will come out and make himself known by sending another communica- tion with his correct name added, I will do likewise.
 Respectfully yours,
 "A CITIZEN D