Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-01-28
THE LocAL-oPTIoN LAW.
Why II Should BE Repenled-A Reply tn
Mr.. Massey's Letter.

why IL should BE Repented-A hepiy u
Mr.. Massey's Letter.
sTAUNTON. VA, January "a. 1894.
To the Editor OF the Dispatch:
The facts given by Mr.. Massey concern
Ing the attitude Of the Prohibition party
In the last campaign conciusively con-
vince me that the Miller bill should be-
come a law. I quote Mr.. Massey as fol-
lows: 'Tn the last campaign a party COM
posed OF Republicans, Populists, Third
partyites a few true and honest Demo-
Gratis, and disappointed aspirants with no
defined political principles or affiliations,
sought political office under the name Of
"Prohibitionists.
They dragged the cause OF temperance
into the arena OF politics, and made their
fight upon that single issue"
Therefore the local-option party is no
more nor less than a political party with
all OF its machinery and equipment. 1t IL
the bitterest and most uncompromising
enemy OF Democracy, which has hereto
fore responded to their demands, and
which gave TO them this very iocal-option
law. They have shown their ingratitude
by va!nly endeavoring to overthrow the
Democracy. / ask is It wise and reason
dblt tfldl We toitluur W fO5tNi'
encourage. and build up this enemy OF
peace. good order. and OF Democracy? Is
1t not suicidal to introduce this Trojan
horse into our citadel? IL not so, let us
also pass law for the encouragement
and benefit Of our other political adver-
saries-the Republicans and Populists.
| maintain that the local-option law
should be amended as provided In the
Miller bill, because as II now exists IL
Is contrary to public policy and ruinous
10 business wherever and whenever the
question Is agitated.
Because II disturbs the peace and good
order. and harmony of communities.
and creates the bitterest hostility between
families. neghbors. and congregations;
because it demoralizes and corrupts the
voter. who is frequently induced by
bribery to sign local-option petitions. and
then sell his vote to the highest bidder:
because prohibition does not prohibit in
cities and towns. but places liquor in the
hands of low men. and in the very lowest
dens and brothels, SO that although the
traffic continues no revenue is derived
therefrcm. necessitating an increase OF
taxation on all other business: because
It will eventually enable political hypo-
critics and local Pharisees TO advance their
ambitious designs upon the ruins OF
Democracy: because the ultimate object
OF the Prohibition party Is the estab-
Iishment OF female suffrage. These and
many other reasons too numerous TO men,
ton should induce our Lawmakers TO
adopt the bill reported by the Senate
Committee on General Laws. II there Is
any one TO answer for II, let II rest upon
the heads Of those men who have been
guilty OF bad faith and ingratitude to
the Democracy.
If the General Assembly could have wit
messed the warfare made upon our nomi-
nees by the Prohibitionists with their
Doodle. brass-bands. and Georgia bum
mers there would not be dissenting
voice against repeal. Mr.. Massey himself
was outrageousiy blackguarded by one OF
these hiTelings as he terms them, and |
ask him II Democrats should show such
people any quarter; are they worthy OF
consideration?
Respectfully. JOHN y. OPIE.