Peninsula Enterprise, February 18, 1888

Prohibition Meeting on Chincoteague.

Moral -- Alcohol

To say that our people are excited over the attempt of the liquor men to force high license upon this community is putting it mildly. The call for a public meeting Monday night, 6th inst., to denounce the movement, was answered by the crowding of Temperance Hall to its utmost capacity, by the voters of this district. Such a gathering of the bone and sinew has seldom been witnessed here.

The meeting was called to order by the hero of our local option campaign, Rev. S. U. Grimsley, when on motion, J. T. Kenney was elected chairman, and Rev. R. I. Watkins, secretary. The following resolutions were offered by Rev. R. Irving Watkins.

Whereas, There is being handed to the citizens of this island, a petition asking for legislation on the subject of temperance; and

Whereas, We believe there is no reason for a change in the present law on that subject, unless it be to make it stronger and more severe in the penalties to the violator; therefore be it

Resolved. By the citizens in mass meeting assembled on February 6th, 1888, that we solemnly protest against the law making body of this State making any change in our present law, which has for its object the vending of intoxicating liquors in our midst.

Resolved. That although much has been accomplished in the temperance reform, that much more remains to be done before we shall be forever rid of this awful curse.

Resolved. That the business of manufacturing or selling intoxicating beverages of any kind is against the principles of morality, political economy and the public welfare. Therefore

Resolved. that we believe it to be the duty of our State government to enact such laws as will guarantee the complete legal prohibition of the traffic in alcoholic drinks.

Resolved. That we heartily approve of all lawful efforts to save society from the evils of intemperance, and earnestly advise the citizens of this island to co-operate in all measures which have for their end constitutional prohibition.

Resolved, That licensing of men in any way to sell intoxicating beverages at this time will materially affect us as a community, lessening our influence as a power to elevate mankind; that it will be a dishonor to us, an injury to the church, and a blow aimed at the cause of Christ.

The following resolutions were offered by D. J. Whealton:

Resolved. That we earnestly request our representatives in the legislature to use their efforts to maintain the local option law enacted two years ago; but if the law of the State be changed, we do urgently pray that they will submit a bill which shall be stringent in its provisions, and which shall be in accordance with the desires of the people of this Island, such a bill to be special act for Chincoteague Island, Accomack county, Virginia.

Resolved. That a copy of these resolutions shall be furnished to each of our members of the legislature, and to our county papers for publication.

Resolved, That we urge upon the people of our county to use their efforts for the maintenance of the local option law, which defends our homes and firesides from the effects of the rum traffic.

Strong speeches were made in support of the resolutions, when they were unanimously adopted amid a storm of applause.

A petition to the legislature praying a continuation of the present local option law was circulated, receiving the signatures of about two hundred bona fide voters, with the prospect of swelling it to three hundred. The people of this Island have sworn allegiance to their homes and vengeance against the saloon, and the political aspirant who would acquiesce in foisting upon us the "body of this death" will feel the shock when he again asks the suffrage of this people.

PROHIBITION.

Untitled

Sea -- Finfish - Methods : Pound-netNatural resources -- Conservation - Resources

MR. EDITOR. -- An effort was made in the Legislature during January to curtail the destructive operations of pound nets, fyke and other like nets. Several petitions were sent from the county to our members and Senators, begging that the people of Accomac might have a little chance to get a fish now and then, and that the county of Northampton should not monopolize almost entirely this great interest. These petitions, together with petitions from the pound nets were duly presented to the House, and referred to the Committee on the Chesapeake and its tributaries. On this committee is Mr. S. S. Wilkins of Northampton, whose duty it is to represent the county of Accomac as well as Northampton. He is sent there by both counties and neither he or any other person could represent the latter except by the vote of the former. Nineteen-twentieths of the people of Accomac are opposed to the use of pound nets during the spring season when trout, mullet and sheepshead are coming up from the capes to the waters of this county, when the fish could be taken by the hand line, and draw seines. A large majority of the people of Northampton are also opposed to the use of these nets. The committee met, I think it was on or about the 6th or 8th of January. One speech was made before it, and then on motion of Mr. Wilkins the committee adjourned.

It again met about twelve days after, at 10 o'clock a.m. At this meeting there were present two lawyers, one from Accomac and one from Norfolk (whoever selected these two men showed considerable shrewdness for reasons not now necessary to mention.) and a number of men owning and running pound nets and fykes. These latter were called on to testify in their own behalf, and the burden of their testimony was that it would be a great loss to them to stop their traps at any time because they were making so much money and distributing the same in their neighborhood. -- that the fish increased by reason of their traffic -- that it gave employment to so many men, and that it destroyed no small fish. On the other side petitions were presented setting forth the destructiveness of pound nets and fykes, and the absence of fish in the creeks of the county of Accomac since the introduction and use of these nets, and their abundance before the introduction and use of nets, that the people of this county now scarcely ever see or can buy a good fish, because they cannot catch them with hook and line or draw seine, and those caught in their traps are sent off to northern markets. These facts so set forth in a number of petitions signed by good and reliable men were not heeded, and had no proper consideration. At 12 o'clock, m., the committee, adjourned to meet at 7 o'clock p.m. At this meeting Dr. Ewell was not present. After hearing the testimony of one or two more of the pound netters, and a short speech from the other side, Mr. S. S. Wilkins, with hot haste and a sort of fiery indignation moved the bill then and there be killed so dead that the hand of the resurrection would never reach it. And there it died, and then the interests and rights of Accomac on this question died with it. Now I will state by way of information that all we asked for was that the law passed in 1879 might be so amended that where the word pound nets occurs in that law, the words "fyke and other like nets" might be added, or so amended; this being refused, we then asked for two months intermission of the use of nets. This proposition was refused. It was seen, and was so declared before the meeting of the committee, that neither May or June would be given up, nor was it in my opinion agreed upon by these men that any month should be given up. They wanted all and got all. Now to suspend the setting of the use of these nets during the month of May is what we in Accomac especially want. In this month the trout, mullet, spot and sheepshead, all game fish are wending their way up the bay to our creeks, where by the hook and line and by the haul seine they could be taken by our people, and thus furnish to them a supply of delicious and wholesome food. Some years since the creeks of our counties were a veritable meat house to hundreds and thousands of our poorer class of people who would catch in a few hours enough fish -- trout, mullet, sheepshead, and spot, to feed their families, and to buy the necessaries of life. But now they may fish a whole day and catch a half dozen or dozen small trout, or in a week's fishing they may by good luck catch one sheepshead. The fish of our waters are common property, they belong to all the people of the State alike, and the State should hold this interest in trust for the use and benefit of all, and not allow a few greedy men who have money to monopolize it. I am opposed to all monopolies, and especially to a monopoly of this kind when property that belongs to all is made the property of a few. These pound nets are a quasi corporation, and the corporation is for the most part wealthy and influential, bound together by the line of interest, and mutual protection. They are aggressive and defiant, out of seven fishing months they are not willing to give us the one we ask for, they are not willing to take six out of the seven, they must have all. Let the people of Accomac and also the people of Northampton arise in their power and strength and demand their rights. Let them see to it that they demand that the candidates for the Legislature shall express their views on this and other local questions, and let them send men there who will when conflicting interests arise between the two counties settle the question by a fair and just compromise.

ACCOMACK.

Untitled

Transportation -- Road - MaintenanceTransportation -- Road - Sand and clay

MR. EDITOR. -- It has been shown in the columns of this paper, that

The present road system demands an onerous, heavy, and increasing tax; $3,800 for the year past, $4,100 for the present year. This money is wrung from the people for no good -- it is wasted.

It demands compulsory labor of 4,590 men -- time wasted from their business, that might be profitably employed. A useless tyranny that cannot be defended.

It damages teams and vehicles fifteen thousand dollars yearly. A destruction not to be tolerated.

It depreciates real estate $24,000 yearly. A curse on this fair land.

Total loss -- more than all the taxes collected in one year.

The above are facts not disputed.

Assert the figures are too high, then fix them as you like; and it is a heavy tax in money, a waste of labor, a destruction of property, a damage to realty. A shameful profligate, squandering of the means and substance of the people.

It has been shown, that roads can be worked and kept in order, for less than $15 per mile by hired "labor intelligently directed."

This county is 40 miles long, three roads the length of it, is 120 miles.

It is ten miles wide -- place a cross road at every two miles, making 20 roads, equal to 200 miles, total 320 miles of road. Fully one-third of the roads need nothing doing to them.

The best soil for cheap roads is sand and clay mixed -- the material is on every ready for use. If the land is put in proper shape, the natural tendency of it is to stay so. See the corn rows of 20 years ago now in the pines.

Drainage is absolutely necessary, it is easily accomplished -- water will run down hill; (do the old fogies doubt it?) it must, however be the business of some one to see that it is not obstructed (by these gentry). A new system properly enforced, will reduce the tax of $4,100 within three years, and prevent the waste of labor, destruction of teams, and the decreasing of the value of real estate.

PROGRESS.