Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1911-04-13
THE NO LICENSE
MOVEMENT.

1t is an orderly dignitied move
ment along constitutional lines,
to accomplish long needed re-
form, by Kidding the body polite
of an evil influence, against
which a majority of the people
of the County of Jefferson have
declared "a war to the knife
and the knife to the hilt." A
maiorityof the voters, not float.
ers, of Charles Town, as
does a majority of the people
of the whole County, asks
for the abolition of the saloon,
and we yet have hopes that the
Town Council of Charles Town
may properly guage the publll9
sentiment and decline to recon-
mend the issuance of licenses, as
may the representatives of Har-
per's Ferry and Shepherdstown.
The County Commissioners con-
stitute our Court of last resort.
They are typical representatives
of those they serve, and are good
men and true, who will neither
be swayed9 by public claror, nor
refuse to duly weigh and con-
slider the petitions of their fellow
countymen, and to decide for their
best interests. We do net, as the
English mobiles at Runnymedehave
to wiring from a King John a re-
1uctant consent to a great ri form,
but as servants of the people,, the
County Court may be re1iedion to
fairly and freely do theSright as
appears to them.
That labor conditions wild be
vastly improved with a Dry
County is proven by the action
of our neighbors of Clarke, whose
farmers and housekeepers. recent
~ voted the County dry a second
time by an increased majority.
1t may be said il this connee-
ton that it is to Their credit that
the best element of our colored
population is in favor of this re-
form which means SO much for
their. race.
That general business will be
better undera dry regime is assur-
: ed in the light of the experience
of Winchester and other Valley
towns which have tried both the
License and No License systems.
Different motives actuate those
who engage in this latter day
crusade. Some oppose the saloon
on the highest moral grounds.
In this category may be placed
the good women of the corn1nun-
ity than whom none have a great
er stake in the right settlement
Of this question. Others, just as
conscientious, do not believe that
in taking drink under proper
conditions, they are violating
any law, moral or divine,
yet realize that the open saloon
offering as it does, temptation to
the young man, onwfom in few
years the responsibility Of citizen
slip will fall, is not the best and
safest method for the distribution
of liquor.
Others who reserve to them
selves the right,to regulate their
personal conduct, resent the arro-
giant interference ip~aad domino
ton of our politics by tRe~Saloon
q interests.
A Democrat, believing i'll the
great principles enumerated by
Jefferson and Jackson. does not
propose to- deliver the Ark of
the Covenant into such unfai=
lowed keeping. Our Republican
friends likewise equally resent
such domination Of their party
affairs. Good citizens will he's,
after demand. that they shall be
untrammeletl in selecting their
party candidates, who Shall submit
their, claims to the electorate on
their character, ability and party
record, and That the liquor inter
!. estS shall be estopped from fore
ing the candidates who wear
their collar, on an unwilling pub
lie-not on account of their quail
ifications for the Office sought,
but because they will hear and
obey their masters voice.
Others again believe that the
liquor traffic, as conducted, is in
defensibiet on economic grounds,
and entails a direct loss to the
community in excess of the