The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1916-01-07

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l. may help
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nv truly,
=. ROGERS.
81, 1915.
unity Delegation
m B. Clagett.
lapolis, M d.
nunication called
Ie demand for some
ne reform of present
Georges county as
.trahc, stating therein
st prominent evils re-
m in connection with
ID property interests.
to invite your serious
the moral and political
directly traceable to
nd the thought of our best
N the subject.
geological and indisputable
while the material and indus
is of a people is dependen'
pom the religious and economic
.ce, or to express it differently
leral spirit. and aspiration to-
right, Just and high-minded &C
all the activities of life, still the
Sc of the proposition is still more
ent and striking in its truths, name
that upon the moral conditions OF
people the integrity of the indi'
iuals, the purity of the home, the IN
ustrial energy, the spirits OF ambition
and progress. the political thought and
action, constitutes the very health and
life of society.
The question as to what is and shall
be the moral and social status of Prince
Georges county, is dependent upon the
collective desire and purpose OF the CT
tizens; upon their interest in all thai
makes for the common good; upon
their opposition to everything that con
tributes to the general injury.
The question as to whether there
shall exist in our county a constan
and successful effort, in all branches OF
the local government, in behalf OF the
general welfare, is dependent upon the
general interest Of tho people, and the
power of their demand for an efficient
and honorable public service together
with the exaction of strict accounting
from the public servant as respects the
obligations of the Office. legislative, ex'
ecutive and judicial.
1t does not require any statements
from me to emphasize the fact that the
present natural, inductive, moral and
political conditions in Prince George S
county cry aloud for improvement.
Many things probably have contri-
buted to this state of affairs, but the
most pronounced and greatest has been
the saloon, with its attendant evils OF
gambling. idleness. poverty and crime
in our midst.
The use of Intoxicating liquors under
the best conditions and to limited
extent, is contributive to much that is
harmful. but its unrestricted and ex-
cessiye use is everywhere destructive of
the health, morals and prosperity OF a
people.
From this proposition there is not a
dissent by any intelligent and fair
minded man, nor as to the desire and
demand for a reform of such condi-
tons, the only difference of opinion
arising as to the means of securing a
change.
The saloon man and those interested
with him are opposed to all reform, foI
with him it is matter. dollars alone, but
to those who desire reform, and are un.
certain betweenI prohibition, Local
option or high license, have word tic
say in connection with Prince Georges
county.
1t is said in respect to this, as of al
other reforms, that you cannot make a
people moral by law-that you cannot
legislate people into righteousness.
True, perhaps, you cannot stop the
use of whiskey entirely by legislation
but it is reasonably contended that
there may not be good laws and bad
laws; laws consistent with morality that
either through their palpable error OF
weakness are an invitation to wrong?
l maintain that a sovereign and God
loving people can lessen the evil of the
liquor traffic (; can regulate the charact
er of tine saloon the quality and guam.
tity of the liquor that may be sold can
protect to a large extent the young men
and women who have not reached years
of discretion can defend the habitual
drunkard from himself. and can keen
the Sabbath free from profane and
criminal dissertation.
What we need as respects the liquor
question, is effectual, rigid legislation,
backed by strong moral sentiment
What is the character of our present
laws upon this subject
proclaim it and defy successful con.
tradiction, that they are made i'll favor
of the saloon that the license is the
guarantee Of protection on the part OF
the State that the license tariff is a
bribe in the shape of revenue that
these laws are mere pretense in their
limitation and penalties toward guard
ing the health morals and happiness of
the people.
No one who knows anything about