Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-01-30
TUESDAY. .......JANUARY 30. 1894.
The Local.Option Bill.

II is evident from their communications
tn the subject OF the Miller bill. as these
have appeared IN the Dispatch. that the
Rev John T.. Massey. of Albemarle, and
pohn y. Opie. Esq. OF Augusta, have
the same object In view, though the orc
advocates the Miller bill and the other
opposes Il. Both deprecate the disruption
bf the Democratic party. and both warn
their opponents that the path OF. duty
leads In a. different direction from that
in which they are walking. All that
Abe Legislature has TO do. therefore. "
II is a Democratic body devoted to the
interests of the Democratic party and
Fearing the ascendency of its pohtical
enemies, is u ascertain which OF the
Two gentlemen named is right In his con-
fention. and govern itself accordingly. In
pther words. the real question at issue
is whether the Miller bill Will tend to
promote peace and harmony in the Demo
cratic party or to breed strife. conten-
lion. I'll WILL and hard feelings.
We concede that the object OF the advo-
Gates OF the Miller bill is TO keep the
Prohibition question out of the general
politics of the State. But we cannot
but think that they wofully deceive
themselves when they allow themselves
10 hope that such law could possibly
operate as they expect it to operate
Instead of quoting strife. 1t would re-
new the agitation OF the prohibition ques-
hon from one end Of the state 10 the
pther, and such scenes as Augusta couh-
~ recently witnessed would be presented
10 the public view throughout the broad
limits OF the Commonwealth. The pass
hge of the Miller bill would be the signal
Tor the uprising OF the Prohibitonists
Ind a renewed agitation of the questions
(which the local-option law has so Ell
Sectually kept down almost everywhere IN
she State. Richmond. for example
voted down prohibition and has since
had no contest on the subject. but
There are thousands Of men here favor
tnr prohibition who will at once take
hp arms In that cause II they are de-
MED the right TO demand a vote upon
Hhat question whenever they may con-
slider themselves strong enough to carry
their point.
At present all would he peace and quie-
tude IN Richmond If the Miller bill had
not been introduced into the legislature
Though there are here numerous "coun-
rils'' OF the friends Of prohibition. All
these councils will. as they have done
heretofore, content themselves with the
law as 1t stands. knowing that when
rver they have a majority of the voters
mn their side they can demand vote
upon prohibition But pass law de-
hying to them this privilege and agita-
zion, III will, strifes. and all sorts of evils
will result. They will not stand compul-
pion, and. like Falstaff. they will give no
reasons on compulsion, though reasons
traisins) were plenty as blackberries.
Ehey will not listen to the voice of the
Democratic .charmerp charm they
never so wisely" but will persist in
clamoring for the right to ballot on the
prohibition question whenever the terms
Of the existing local-option law will al
low them to demand u vote upon 1t.
And the various cities, towns. ana
rounties will soon be In whrlwind
Of passion. We will have ruined the
Democratic party.
The State Constitution provides that
Pho law shall embrace more than one
object which shall be expressed in its
title" What is the object OF the Mil
ier bill? Is that object expressed In its
title? Is 1t not a bill to divide the peo-
oIe of Virginia into two hostile camps?
Is Il not bill TO deny 20 the Prohibi-
tionists a privilege which Is TO be ac-
corded to the anti-Prohibitionists? The
smaller cities OF the Commonwealth are
In favor of prohibition, and will be al
lowed to vote upon that question when
over the terms OF the existing law are
compiled with, but the larger cities are 10
be denied this privilege. Thus 1t is to be
assumed that these larger cities are TO
be continued forever under anti-Prohibi-
lion rule. whilst the smaller cities and
towns will. whenever they make a law
full demand for vote, be allowed 10
change sides. We repeat what We said
the other day. that the members of the
General Assembly do not seem to know
that the Prohibitionists are numerous In
this State. Let us stand by the compro-
mise we agreed to years ago, which has
operated 50 successfully to keep the
Trojan horse out OF the Democratic
party.
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