Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-08-14
THE QUESTION OF PROHIBITIOA
IN VIRGINIA. POLITICS.

We published last week an address of
the Committee of the Prohibition Club of
Staunton, to the people of this city and
county, in which, after statement of the
evils of the manufacture and sale of spir-
ituous liquors, they ask conference of
the friends Of Prohibition in the county.
-~ith those in the city, to devise the best
means of frsthering the cause at the ap-
preaching election AS we learn from
other sources than the call, the subject of
putting up Prohibition candidates for the
Senate and House will be discussed at this
conference. The majority Of the members
of the club we are informed are Democrats
and we pres ume that the majority, If not
all, of the Prohibitionists in the county
belong to the same political party. They
are gentlemen of strong convictions as to
the evils they are seeking to remedy, but also
with convictions quite as strong that it is
questionable policy for the Democrats of
this State to weaken the party that, up to
date containsan overwhelming majority of
the intelligence of Its population in its
ranks. How to accomplish their object with
out doing that, is hard question to answer.
1t is certain that out of that party will
come nearly all the white votes that will
be diverted to Prohibition ticket, though
of course not enough to carry the county.
1t is said that, concede this defeat, the
Prohibition cause will, at least, have as
certained and shown to the world its
strength in the county. But we doubt if
even this is certain. The vote cast for
such ticket in Augusta will not be COM
posed of. save in small part, Prohibition
lists, but will consist of Republicans who
simply wish to oppose the Democratic
ticket, and by cunning system of swap
ping votes increase the vote for Wise in
this county. While this is game that
could not be played on those Prohibition
Democrats who are familiar with the Sit
uation, still in all organizations there are
a large number of men who are not up to
the dangers of swapping. In such case,
Democrats in this movement who sincerely
wish the election of Fltz Lee and will give
their own votes to him. will yet find that
they have unwittingly aided in giving
Wise many votes.
1t is not seriously expected anywhere,
we think, that half dozen Prohibition
candidates will be elected to the Virginia
legislature, so that the only thing accom-
plished by putting tickets in the field in
Virginia counties would be to reduce the
Lee Democratic and increase the Wise
To 70
Prohibition to come out of this reduction
and increase? Has the Republican party
in Virginia been more friendly to it or
its kindred measures than the Democrat
ic? When the Republican party had the
whole government, legislative and execu-
tive, it declined to pass even Local Option
bill. What good is to be gained from
giving that party power that it will not
use in the direction expected? The Dem
ocratic party of Virginia for the first time
10 its history has Local Option plank il
its platform, and 1t seems to US good poll
CIV for Prohibition Democrats to take that
first. In Georgia by the same perslstency
that animates the Temperance people of
Virginia. local option has been introduced |
into all the counties of the State save, we
think, fifteen or sixteen. We throw out
these suggestions for the benefit of those
Prohibition Democrats who will take part |
in the conference which is proposed. 1t |
ia a fact that must disturb all Democrats,
whether Prohibitionists or not. that just |
as we are going into campaign in which
is at stake the government of our State for
four years, and when our opponent is Sen
ator Malone of whose government for
four years we had such bitter experience,
there should be sprung movement which