The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer

MAYORS MEETING
An Interesting Session of the West Virginia Association
AT CLARKSBURG YESTERDAY.
Speak-Easies and Liquor License the Main Topics Discussed—The Mayor of Charleston Advocates an Amendment of the Law, so as to Prevent County Courts From Having any Control Over Municipalities that are in Favor of License—The Speak-Easy a Hard Nut to Crack—Governor Atkinson Addresses the Association.

Special Dispatch to the Intelligencer.

CLARKSBURG, W. Va., Nov. 30.—The mayors' association was called to order at 8 o'clock this morning, President Kendall presiding. There were several additional arrivals to-day, making the total number of towns represented about forty. Mayor Thomas, of Parkersburg, read an interesting paper on street paving, in which he said an important question was what kind of pavement will come within the limits of the finances of small towns, his opinion being that vitrified brick or block answered the question, not only on account of cheapness, but of durability and from a sanitary view, and the ease with which it may be kept clean. Mr. Thomas also gave short history and description of street improvements in Parkersburg, saying the first paving was put down there in 1885, according to what is known as the Charleston plan, claiming that Charleston, W. Va., was the pioneer of street paving with brick in this country. The reading of his paper was followed by a general discussion of the subject.
The paper of Mayor DeGruyter, of Charleston, on the granting of licenses, attracted considerable attention, and the sentiments expressed were heartily endorsed by those present. He reviewed the trouble they had in Charleston regarding licenses and closed as follows: "I earnestly urge that all interested in good local government without regard to party or political affiliations, make an active vigorous and concerted effort to induce the next legislature to so modify existing laws as to free all municipalities in this state from the obnoxious interference and control in license matters of county courts that do not represent the municipalities in the matter under discussion; that are seldom disinterested and frequently corrupt and venal in their conduct in this regard."
Mayor Gardiner, of Sistersville, being absent, Mayor Scovil, of Cairo, spoke on speak-easies and their prevention. He said his experience had been that they could not be prevented, and that as soon as one was closed, another was opened, and in some cases vest pocket or walking speak-easies were established. He has adopted the plan of arresting the owners of such places each month, and fining them $50 each. His town is in favor of granting licenses, but the county court refuses them. Mr. Scovil closed by saying that the only solution of the liquor question was to grant license, and then you could control the sale of the same.
In a general discussion every mayor present agreed that the only way to prevent speak-easies was to grant license. While this discussion was in progress, Governor Atkinson made his appearance, and was called upon to address the meeting. He responded by congratulating them on their successful organization, saying he was in favor of co-operation and organization, that being the only successful means of securing any desired end, as the individual could do nothing alone, but united in a body they were a power. The governor also referred to the speak-easy question, saying he was opposed to the sale of liquor, but if it could not be stopped to regulate and control its sale by high license.
Mayor Kendall delivered an instructive address on street cleaning, giving Fairmont as an example of what can be done for $40 a month toward clean streets.
The programme having been carried out in full, the association adjourned. Parkersburg was selected as the next place of meeting, October 18, 19 and 20, 1898.