Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1916-03-04
LAW Emf ORCEMENT
THE KEYNOTE Of
VOTERS LEAGUE
ALL CANDIDATES WILL BE RE
CURED TO ANNOUNCE Po.
SlTiON PUBLICLY.
PLEDGES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED
AMONG VOTERS BEFORE THE
NEXT MEETING.
LOCAL CONDITIONS THOROUGH
LY DISCUSSED AND FIGHT
WILL BE CONTINUED.

Because of the inclement weather
the Voters League meeting in the
Firemen's hall was not very well at
tended last night. but those present
were unanimous in their opinion that
every voter in the city and county
should support candidates who viii
pledge themselves to enforce the law.
It was stated chat a movement is ON
foot. and is being financed by tle II.
quor interests of New York. Mary
land, Ohio ana other states, TO have
the old parties name candidates Tor
city, county and state officers. espe-
cially executive officers. this year VINO
will not exert themselves In enforc-
ing the laws. or who viii mutlate
them so that their execution viii be
of no avail. If that is done, it was
stated, then the LIQUOR men Of the
states mentioned can point to West
Virginia as an example of law en-
forcement. so far as prohibition goes.
The object of the league is 10 APP
peal to the voters. and have them
sign a pledge not to support any can
didate for any Office, who viii not
favor law enforcement. In other
words. every candidate will be requir.
ed TO publicly announce that he will
use every effort to carry all laws into
xecution, and help made the prohibit
ton amendment effective The fol
lowing is the pledge which will be dis.
tributed
Good Citizenship Pledge of the Local
Five Million Voters Club.
Martinsburg, Berkeley county, State
Of West Virginia
! hereby agree to give my vote and
support locally only to the candidates
who pledge themselves publicly to en-
force the prohibitions and civic laws.
Name ------------------------------
Street -------------------
p. ..
In discussing the primary law it
was announced that the Prohibition,
Socialist and Progressive parties have
been legislated out of existence. This
was severely denounced, one party
stating that we are now where the
negro used to be and have no more
rights" When it was stated that on
ly the Republican and Democratic par
ties will be allowed to have tickets
there was a general protest, some ex-
pressing themselves that perhaps they
would be unable to vote because they
had not been affiliated with either.
The Republican majority in the
state legislature is responsible for the
primary law. The Democrats support.
red it because they were pledged to
enact such a law, and tried to amend
lit so all parties could have tickets,
but the amendment was lost by
strict party vote.
Local conditions were pretty well
discussed, II being stated that the two
most important Offices are that of may
or and prosecuting attorney, the for
mer to enforce the city laws and the
latter the state laws. Special empba-
sis was laid upon the Importance If
naming candidates for these offices
who will declare themselves openly
for law enforcement, ana an effort
along that line will be made.
Several matters were discussed. and
the opinion prevailed that further ac-
ton toward organizing a league
should be taken. 1t was decided to
hold another meeting on Thursday
evening March IS, to perfect the or
ganization and outline a plan for the
primary.
Heavy Snow storm.