Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1912-06-27
No License In Jefferson County.

| No License In JEFFERSON County.
The County Court of Jefferson County
has decreed that there shall be no L.
censed saloons in this county for another
year, and there is rejoicing among those
persons who have labored so earnestly
to keep these nuisances out of our COM
munity. Applications for license for sa-
looms had been made by T. ]. Burleigh,
T. M. Conner and Shepherd Gatrell and
for wholesale license by Charles Smith
all from Harper's Ferry. The court met
on Wednesday of last week TO consider
the applications, and large number Of
persons from various sections of the
county were present in opposition. The
fight against license was led by Judge
Frank Beckwitfi and Captain John T..
Colston, of the Law and Order Society,
and the Woman's Christian Temperance
Union, of which Miss Daisy Engle is
president. was also active A petition
containing the names OF over 1000 men,
including many of the most substantial
citizens of the county, and another with
the names of about 900 women, were
presented to the court. Forrest w.
Brown appeared as attorney for the sa-
loon men, while Judge Beckwith con-
Quoted the case for the temperance peo-
pie. All of Wednesday afternoon and
part of Thursday was taken up with the
consideration of the matter.
Harper's Ferry was largely represented.
A great many ladies from the town were
present, one of the most impressive ad-
dresses against license being made by
Mrs. Charles Newcomer. Others who
spoke against the saloons were Rev.
William Rogers, Rev. R. Y. Nicholson
and former mayor George L. Martin, of
Harper's Ferry; Rev. &. Sydenstricker,
of Shepherdstown, who made a very
strong argument; Rev. John S. Alfriend,
Rev. w. R. Flanagan and Rev. H. M.
Moffett, Of Charles Town.
In his presentation of the cause OF his
clients, Colonel Brown put on the stand
Bernard ]. Miles, Democratic candidate
for county commissioner, Geo. H. Child,
Republican candidate for county commits
sioner, and William Doran, merchants OF
Harper's Ferry, all of whom advocated
the licensing OF saloons. Underth cross
examination of Judge Beckwitt, however,
their testimony was rendered compare
lively valueless, and seemed to impress
neither the court nor the spectators.
The matter was concluded Thursday
afternoon, and the members OF the court
retired to consider. Later the court re-
appeared and announced its decision,
namely, that all licenses were refused,
whereupon mighty shout and loud clap
ping of hands expressed the feelings OF
the temperance people. The ladies be-
sieged the commissioners and shook their
hands, giving expression to their CRATE
full appreciation OF the decision, and then
everybody Joined in singing "PraiSe God
from whom all blessings flow."
The decision means that no license for
saloons in Jefferson county will be granted
this year, as the attitude of the court thus
made public will prevent applicants from
other towns from going to the useless
trouble OF trying to secure the privilege.
The people of the county are to be
congratulated upon the assurance that we
are to be free for another period from the
curse of the liquor saloons and the evils
that accompany them. All honor to the
manly members of the County Court who
have stood so firmly for the right, and to
the noble men and women who have so
earnestly and consistently fought for So
briefly and morality and decency.