Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-24
A Word 60 the IsEfs'assre'
tn m, F5ilor of the Dispatch


will you allow me space In your
columns for parting word to the mem
bers of the General Assembly, IL
seems that the Senate has done its work
in regard to local option, and has there
by offered gross insult to every tenn
perance man in the State. Mr.. Eliyson,
Senator from Richmond, said yesterday
that it would be wise in the General
Assembly to pass local-option bill
somewhat satisfactory to the friends OF
the measure. "If we do not" said
Mr.. ElIyson, "the agitation will con-
tinue. and this will be an issue in the
next election for members Of the Legis-
latuTe."
If Mr.. Eilyson OF any other man
thinks that the bill passed by the Sen
ate will stop agitation on this subject
he is very much mistaken. 1t will be
regarded as an outrage and an insult
by every self.respecting temperance
man in the State. Not county or city,
in my opinion, will ever seek an cleo
ton under this law.
This bill requires-frst, that before
any election can take place one fourth
of the voters in any city or county must
petition for it; and secondly, that when
such election is held the sale of intoxi-
eating liquors shall not be prohibited
unless a majority Of the voters voting
in the next preceding general election
shall vote in favor Of such prohibition.
What does this mean? Why, simply
this: The saloonist, the bartender, the
keeper of the low rum-hole at the door
of the brothel, can go to the polls at
every election and vote for the privi-
leee to spread moral debasement, pau.
peIism, death, and untold sorrows Id
the home circle, while the friends Of
temperance and humanity must go up
and down the county or city seeking
petitioners, humbly begging for the
poor privilege of casting their votes on
this subject. 1t means more. 1t means
this That these men can carry on their
wretched and woful work, and when
election comes can remain quietly in
their dens and have their votes counted
against God and humanity, while the
friends of right, justice, and truth are
required to 60 to the polls, however
stormy the weather, and by their votes
overcome, not majority Of those who
legally vote against them, but a ma
iority of those who voted in some en-
citing preceding political election.
Do the rum-power and its advocates
believe that the temperance whale can
be amused with this tub, reeking and
sinking, as 1t does, with the foul fetor
of the beer.pit? Then they are mis-
taken. Do they suppose that the tenn
perance-men will take patiently this
contemptuous slap in the face? Then
they will be disappointed. We will
take this question to the ballOt-bOx in
those elections where we can vote with
out begging for the privilege and where
majOrities rule.
Gentlemen, be assured that for the
future there is to be no peace for the
liquor-uafiic and its friends. You mag
halt and hesitate, you may squirm and
twist. you may scheme and consult
with the liquor.power; but die you and
they will beneath the votes of an in
dignant and long-Outraged people.
Senator Edmunds stated the case truly
when he said A:
Now. Mr. President ! earnestly hope
that the senate will pass falr'and equita-
be bin and allow the people to vote upon
IL. Ttey ask no more they Will be salts
fed with no less. IL has been promised the
people by our party platform; 1t has been
promised them from every hastings In this
broad land Of curs from the mountains To
the sea.ccast. The people are not to be
fooled with on this question. They demand
a vote-a fair, square vote: and they are
entitled 10 It, and they should have II.
The man who opposes this. politically he
had better never have been born; on his
future political prospects there Will be writ
ten as with pen OF fine Meme, meme, te-