The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-01-17
TO FIGHT SALOON
IN DEAD EARNEST
A1lti-Saloon Convention
Makes Strong Showing
ATTENDANCEIsLARGE
Oyer Two Hundred Delegates repre-
senting Third of State.
STRONG ADDRESSES ARE MADE
DR.. Hawthorne Scores the Constitutional
Convention for Delay, and Pleads fos
Action on Barbour Resolution.
Judge Mann on Legal Status.
Interesting Features OF
Opening Day.
Oyer Two Hundred Delegates Repre-
senting Third of State.
STRONG ADDRESSES ARE MADE

The Anti-saloon League Of Virginia Is
holding it's first annual convention in the
Grace-Street Baptist Church.
The opening session was held yester'
terday afternoon, when there were pres
ent 200 delegates representing 90 counties
of the State, and a gathering Of friends
and sy1npathizers in the movement
which filled the lecture-room OF the
building.
Last nights meeting was held in the
main auditorium of the church, When
before large gathering, representing
the laity and ministry of the city, ad'
dresses were delivered by Dr.. j. B. HaW-
thorne. of Grove-Avenue Baptist Church;
Professor S. c. Mitchell, of Richmond
College, and Judge William II. Mann,
Of Nottoway county.
Dr. Hawthorne's address was the fea-
ture of the programme, being cafetuiiv
prepared appeal to the Constitutional
Convention and Legislature OF Virginia,
entitled the Ethics OF the Anti-Saloon
Movement Judge Mann in his address
of thirty minutes, devoted his time to
the legal phase Of the question discuss
ing the liquor license laws of the State
The result of such a meeting III the
opinion of delegates, expressed last night
will be far reaching, and launches the
movement against saloons in Virginia
with a sweep which Will spread over the
Commonwealth. arousing the people Of the
State in the work s never before. Inc
deep and earnest interest in the work
was evidenced by the prompt and busi-
ness like manner in which, by popular
subscription from the audience and dele
gates, the $3.50 indebtedness incurred by
the league in organizing during the last
wear was readily raised.
The League has been organized but a
wear, but within that time those inter-
ested in the movement have sown the
State down with literature and canvassed
every county and town with the result
that the present gathering presents the
most formidable opposition TO the liquor
traffic which ever came from the people
of Virginia. Organiza ton is the strength
of the movement and to that end every
effort is being eyerted.
The meeting will continue through to-
day, closing with the night session. The
morning song service begins at $50;
workers hour at / o'clock; afternoon
session, 8 o'clock; prayer and praise SER
vice. at 7:30; address by DR.. John Han
non, at o'clock.
The Afternoon Session.
The meeting was called to order shortly
after o'clock by the president of the
league, DR.. S. c. Mitchell. OF this city.
There were in attendance at this time
about fifty or seventy-fivc persons, most
of them delegates. AS the meeting pro.
gressed the crowd gradually increased
until the lecture-Toom was comfortably
filled. There were two hundred delegates
present in all, representing thirty coun-
ties.
After a. short devotional service, con
of NV nn nf
Scriptures and prayer Dr.. Mitchell spoke
briefly, expressing his pleasure at The
presence of so many out-of-town dele
gates. The formal address of welcome
followed, delivered by Rev. DIR. 9. S
Gardner, pastor OF the Grace-Stree
Church. Speaking for his congregation
Dr. Gardner assured the convention O.
his great interest in the work of the
Anti-Saloon League and of his Giadnes:
to welcome the body to his church. III
felt honored. he said. in being allowed II
appear before the body, offering to it th
hospitality of his congregation.
With regard to the work for which tn
members OF the league had assembled il
convention, Dr. Gardner declared that h
sympathized in 1t most heartily. He hat
always liked to take a strike at the sa
loon He believed it a safe principle t.
live by to oppose every movement mad
bv those who were the friends Of tn
sale OF intoxicating liquor. For this rea
son he hailed the advent Of the Anti
Saloon League, with its hfsh-soundinE
motto. 1.-The saloon must co. He con
sidcred the very name of the league t.
be fetching one.
Great progress had been made in tn
temperance cause, said DR.. Gardner
| This progress had been in the spirit o
-, op N
| vital principle that the saloon is tn
| which the forces of the Temperance
| cause should be fiunS. The saloon shoult
! go and must so.
| The response to DR.. Gardners addres
| was made by the Rev. +. NJ. Edwards. o
| Onancock, who made lengthy ane
| greatly interesting speech. anent the sa
| loon question.
GREETINGS FROM OTHER BODIES
Greetings from various organiza ton
| represented in the audience followe'
| next Mrs. Hoge, of the w. c. T. Y.
| made a short talk. in which She state'
| that she represented 2.G00 or more Wn1I
| ribboners, who are heartily in sympathy
| with the work of the league.
| The Rev. Nfr. Guy represented the Goo
| Templars. which organization. ne salu
| stands for the destruction OF the saioo'
| as well as total abstinence.
! The crying need in the teinpeia1c nc
| cause. in Mr.. Guys opinion. Is organiza
| ton. There Is enough sentiment, he said
and IL it could be soiiditied every salooi
/ in Virginia could be closed within twen
ty-four hours He hoped that the leagu
would accomplish thorough organtza
! 4ior a,,d prepare to go into the field 70
| ,,,or,r The only argument that count
/ with the politician is the vote and II the,
will not promise good legislation, IN
Loo s,,e should muster its forces agains