Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1912-01-17
Consistency Thou Art A Jewel
(Commnnicafedl

! Mr. EQltors-ln the Baltimore sun ]
| find an article from Secretary Of the
/ Navy Meyer to Superintendent w. II.
Anderson on temperance. protesting
! against issuing a license for the sale
Of liquor in the City Of AnnaDolis.
on account Of the United States Ma
val Academy being in close proximity
70 this city. He thinks bv do
ing so il viii make the future adj
mirals abstainers, and drive from
their midst the temptation to indulge
ia strong drink. Recognizing in his
case he has about seven hundred
youths, ages ranging from l6 TO 23,
which the saloon keepers in Annapolis
are trying to make dunkards. / often
wonder if the Hon. Secretary Of
the Navy is aware Of the fact that
within the sacred walls Of the Naval
Academy. within a stones throw Of
Bancroft Hall, and the remains Of
the illustrious John Paul Jones, in the
shadow of Herndon Monument, the
Naval Academy authorities are main
tanning a liquor establishment which
would put to shame any saloon in
Annapolis in magnitude, and convent
ence in the sale and drinking Of intoxi-
eating liquors. For porters, vehicles TO
deliver wines, beers, WHISTLES to any
part of Annapolis. Eastport, Wardour
on-the- Severn, in any quantities,
from a barrel of whiskey to a case Of
beer TO the quench-thirsting high
ball. Phone No. 152.
Quality does not suffer on account of
price, as this establishment has it's
own quarters built by the United
States Government, maintained by
the same government, heat and light
Furnished by the same government.
Water, use all you want-furnished
by the same indulgent government.
Lastly, but not least. immune from
all license. Six pool and billiard
tables, two bowling alleys and no
license to pay-City or State. How
can the so-called Annapolis Rum
Mills" compete with such an estab-
ishment as this with its financial
backing Of the government? Its SER
vice is frst-class, luxurious lounging
and card rooms, telephone service TO
Annapolis and Wardour-on-the-Se Severn
and the United States Marine Bar
racks superb baths, so exhiarating
after a meeting of the strategic board;
cuisine unexcelled, music by the Naval
Academy band, forty-two members,
and all this rum under the very nos
trils Of these seven hundred future
admirals.
1t strikes me m ost forcibly, Mr..
Editor, that if the Mr.. Secretary of
the Navy would devote some of his
most valuable time cleaning out his
own backyard it would be an incen-
tive to his neighbors to do likewise.
will venture to say that there is no
city of the same inhabitants as An
napols, in the United States, where
there is less violations of the liquor
laws by bonafide licenses than Annap-
oils. OF course we have clubs and
boarding houses.
1t would, indeed, Mr.. Editor, be
better for the Hon. Secretary of the
Navy and the citizens of Annapolis to
be acquainted with facts in regard to
the sale Of spirituous liquors in An
napols, and not blame the licensed
liquor dealer for what is done by the
so-called private rooms, clubs, speak
easies and walking Sunday delegates.
1t is matter of record where two
colored individuals were arrested and
tried at the last Court for selling
liquor without license on Sunday.
What became of this? Nothing.
A few weeks ago a room over
Photographic establishment was
raided by the civil and naval au-
thorities. Did it have a license?
No. / suppose all these fragrant
violations of the liquor law are
charged to the licenses of Annapo-
lis. How many times have the
naval authorities issued orders for
bidding midshipmen from visiting
drug stores, haberdashers, tailoring
shops, confectionery stores, board
ing houses, etc. Surely it was not
because they bought too much Of sooth-
ing syrup, neckties suits of clothes,
bonbons, etc. They have no license
to dispense liquors, but the middies
get drunk and charge it up to the IL
censed liquor dealers.
Now, Mr.. Editor, in conclusion
know that the fair-minded citizens of
Annapolis will agree with me when
| say that the majority of the Ii
cenceed in this city are men of sterl-
ing worth, law-abiding, property hold
ers, fathers of families, that have been
a credit to this city, men who are
identified with the foremost organi-
cations of our city; men who occupy
positions of honor and trust and COM
mand the respect of any fair-minded
citizen in the community wherein he
lives. Thanking you, Mr.. Editor,
for taking up so much of your valu-
able space. feeling satisfied that the
good-thinking citizens of our city will
not confound the reputable licensed
liquor dealers with the furnished
rooms, blind tigers and walking Sun
day violators of our city. / am
Very respectfully,
F. r. SMITH.
Il -