The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-03-14
PLAN OF THE "DRYs."
They Do Not Propose to Make it
Public Vet.

Considerable speculation has been
INDUCED in within the past few days in
regard to the course that will be
pursued by the local option people and
especially about the position they in
tend to assume during the approaching
municipal cam paign.
A gentleman. whose name is with
held for good reasons, but who is
known to be high in authority in the
councils Of the "Drys," and who is
really one of their best leaders and
organizers, talked quite freely about
the situation with a TIMES reporter and
in the course Of the conversation gave
out good deal of information which
may be taken as authoritative
In answer to the question, "In view
OF Judge Whittle's decision what stops
will be taken by the local optionists? So"
he replied:
They will undoubtedly make an
effort to get the case before the court
OF appeals, but will be governed in that
matter by the advice of their attorneys
Whilst Judge Whittle delivered a
learned and logical opinion, assuming
as he did that technical compliance
with the statute is necessary in the
matter Of issuing writ of election, we
believe that he erred in that assum ption
and that substantial compliance is
sufficient. Again, the authoritative
construction OF that statute as to who
are lawful petitioners is the one thing
desired by the people interested in the
question, pro and con, all over the state,
and for this reason 1 think the court OF
appeals should pass upon It, am not
q lawyer, but 1t does seem to me that
the distinguished Judge (who 1 am in
formed ls most excellent gentlemap)
gives construction that would render
the statute obn :xious to the constitu-
ton of the United States protecting the
rights OF citizens
IF you should abandon the appeal, or
in case tho court of appeals should
affirm Judge Whites decision, will
your people ask for another election?"
quoried the reporter.
Il do not apprehend either conting-
ency az likely to OCCUR" continued the
temperance leader; "but. should it so
turn out, | doubt not that the people
will, at the proper time. ask for another
writ of election. / do not think the
question will be agitated at present
God has decreed the abolition of the
liquor traffic, and all over the world the
forces are training to that end Roa-
noke will be rid of the traffic in less
than eighteen months. Our organize =
tion is the most comprehensive and the
strongest in the city, and our people ar
more in earnest then ever. The paoplo
OF this city are, by large majority,
against licensing the sale of intoxicat-
ing liquors
THE TINES mans next question was
What part will the local optionists
take in the approaching municipal cleo
tion?" To this the dry" man merely
smiled, shook his head and said "You
will know better when the election is
over"
The substance of this conversation
was repeated to James NJ. Gambill, who
is the chairna an of tho executive com
mittee and the acknowledged leader of
the local option movement. He en-
dorsed the views of the other gentlema an
but declined to state the local optionists
posi- lion in the coming campaign.
There is not much information for
the public in this last answer, Mr.. Gam
bill, p" remarked the scribe, to which he
replied
Information about our plans is lust
what we don't want tho public to know
at present"
Judging from various remarks made
by different members Of the local option
party yesterday it may safely DO as.
serted that they will not either nom in
ate ticket for municipal offices. or en-.
dorse either Of the tickets, but will vote
for the men they think will come near
est to enforcing their idea of city
government.