Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1911-03-04
ANTI-LICENSE FIGHT
Rather Dry "Wet" Meeting Held in
Court House But Resolutions Have
the Anti-Prohibition Ring.

TIC MN
From The World OF Tuesday.
A number OF the business men, to-
gether with a gprinkling of profession
al and other men OF town to the num-
Der Of fifty or more, met in the grand
jury room in the Court House last
night to take gone action relative to
the stand the business interests of
Martinsburg ought TO take In the cam
paign that is now being waged against
the saloon. and which is % BE- settled
at special election to be held in this
city Monday, March n.
Or. J. w. MdSherry briefly stated
the object of the meeting and incl
dentally expressed his personal dig
approval CT any laws curtailing the
natural rights Of citizens but especial
~ those prohibitory laws effecting the
liquor traffic. To show the futility OF
prohibition as q means to change the
nature OF men, he cited the example OF
Maine where the principle, in name.
has been in force for years but where
the law IS practically dead letter;
and that some OF the finest saloons
and bars in the country are be
found in the Pine Tree state.
Mr.. Harry S. Cushwa was call d to
the chair and Mr.. Frank Van Horn
was made secretary. On motion it
was decided that the organization
should continue until after the license
or mo license election referred to.
In order to bring the matter square
ly bsfore the meeting and to express
the sentiment Of the men that inpired
! 1t, Mr.. p r. Harrison read series of
resolutions embodying their views on
| the prohibition question as effecting
the business interests and which were
adopted without remarks After this
the meeting adjourned, subject to the
call of the chairman.
1t was expected that some fur would
fly in discussion but it turned out to
Re a rather dry wet" meeting.
Resolutions.
The following were the resolutions
presented by ex-Maycr Harrison;
Whereas, during the past ten years
Martinsburg has almost doubled its
population and has become center in
industries, such as hosiery and wooden
mills. wagon and carriage factories,
and occupies a unique and exclusive
position as center for high grade
lime rock. apples and other products,
and 81
Whereas. it becomes a grave ques-
ton to the business interests OF this
city as TO what effect local option may
nave on the further growth and pros
perity of its business interests and
that the question of local option may
be investigated impartially from a
business and property standpoint,
therefore be 1t
Resolved, that the business roen of
Martinsburg investigate individual
~ and collectively and gather such
data for distribution among our citi-
ems as in our judgment will show
light ON this subject and aid the vo-
tiers in solving right the question on
the 9th day of March, 1911.
BE it further resolved, that the chair
| dppOlnI committee OF three TO pro-
vide, if possible a speaker or speakers
of marked reputation from local option
or prohibition states and cities to de-
liver an address or addresses in this
city, having especially in view the eff
feet of local option or prohibition upon
the business interests where it has
been tried, especially in cities within
a radius Of twenty miles accessible by
rail to cities where Intoxicating liq-
ors are sold so 1t may be determined
by the voters of this city located. as
We are, within a radius of twenty
miles of Hagerstown and Harpers Fer
ry, what effect local option will have
en- the trade and general business of
this city if adopted, and be it further
Resolved, that said committee is in
| structed to report such data and other
information to any called or adjourn
ed meeting of this body of business
and professional men.