SYDENHAM LICENSING QUESTION.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1645, 29 May 1879, Page 2

SYDENHAM LICENSING QUESTION.

To the Editor of the Globe. ■ Sib,— Allbough not wishing to rush into print, I yet feci I should bo wanting in duty to myself, my family, and my fellow thinking men, after reading the very admirable letter by “ Truth ” in last night's Globe, did I not say a few words on this most important licensing questi n in Sydenham. I need not refer in detail to your correspondent “John W. Smith,” as 1 think he has already had a pretty good dose from“ Truth.” (ipd were be wipe b<9 would cry “Hold

enough,” as the cause ho would represent will not bear the scathing attacks of “ Truth.” A great deal has been said and written about the meeting last week, and not wishing to tread in the beaten footsteps of others, yet having attended that meeting for the purpose of recording my vote, I think I may here remark why I was prevented from doing so. After one or two temperance men who attempted to speak had been bellowed down by the men of beer, the Mayor repeatedly called out for some one to produce a programme, and say what the meeting had been called together for. Both the would-be publicans stood close to the chairman at the time, but would not respond. At last aMr Webber, the last speaker, touched one of the applicants for a license on the arm, and exclaimed “ Why don’t you get on the table man, and tell the people what you want. If you feel nervous I’ll stand beside you on the table while you speak,” but the young man would not take this friendly offer, and contented himself by energetically calling out “Mr Ingram, Mr Ingram,” but Mr Ingram still kept dark. Again did the Mayor call out for some one to speak, still no response 5 then amid the general hubbub the meeting collapsed. The few promoters of the public house say if licenses are granted it will enhance the value of their little property, and increase trade. Admitting this to be so, which is very doubtful, why I ask should the moral and social good that has been and still is being done in this prosperous community be neutralised by the baneful and evil influences that ever did and ever will surround a public house ? Sydenham every one admits has made rapid progress without public houses. Statistics will show that crime here is of rare occurrence. Even one policeman to seven or eight thousand inhabitants appears to have some difficulty of “putting in his time.” More public houses mean more policemen and more taxes ! Ah, there’s the rub ! Think of this working men. Eor the sake of those dear to you keep that neat little cot, and that cherished little plot free from the polluting and the degrading influences of the tap room, Yote against the system that is permeating itself in this country. The great brewers buy or build hotels, put in some one there as a dummy landlord, then brew away while the dummy landlord sells their beer reckless of the evil he is doing. Residents of Sydenham, this is what I wish you to think of and to give your vote accordingly. Hoping you will give this a corner in your widely circulated paper, I am, yours, &0,, A WORKING- MAN. Sydenham, May 27th, 1879.