The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-14
The Man Bill.

Editor OF The Times Dispatch:
Silt would be a great mistake. for
tho Legislature to turn down the Mann
bill Our aw-n3akers are supposed to
reflect the wishes of their constituents
and probably no proposed legislation IN
or historic Capitol has ever had back
of II such general and genuine support as
Is being manifested for this bill There
is ar avalanche Of petitions from all sec.
tons OF the old Commonwealth represents
ing loyal citizenship. These appeals arol
genuine. hearty, spontaneous--from the
pulpit. from the churches, regardless OF
creed, from organizations of5reform. from
mass-Ineetings; from individual citizens.
good and true in all the social and com
morcial relations of life, and from thous-
npds or virginia's noble mothers, wives
and sisters. comes the urgent appeal TO
pass this bill Surely our law-nakinE
lower will not ignore such powerful
public sentiment
There are some facts In connection Win
the empcrance question upon Wnlch there
Is & general agreement. nave yet 70
hear any one dissent from the proposition
lin, IN general the saloon Is detrimental
10 society and that there Is neea ZOE
Legislative remedy or some prac teal ana
efIica cious character. True, the concen-s
s,ls OF Christian5Sand moral sentiment -
Enthusiastically that It Is the GROWING
c,,rsa AZ the age and should be altogether
n,nh;hited. Others consider that local
lsGbtion should prevail and that whers
T,rense lis obtained very rigid restrictions
should be provided. But even promA.
nent liquor publication has recently open
~ confessed that the average saloon Is
n curse and should not he defended by tho
license people. but rather condemned
and that 1t behooves "the0 Grade" to
Keep abreast with the advanced and NOR
al sentiment of the day. Il Just mention
this to show that the condemnation OF
tile "average Balloon" Is universal.
Now, the Mann bill simply requires that
tie party desiring license shall first OBJ
tainiSthe signatures of majority Of the
5titizensF Of his district to a petition for
hthe grant. and shallgproye himself to be
IN proper person f6rSthe business, and that
|jsuch business willsinot be lnlmical to the
moral peace and dignity Of the COM
immunity, If majority of the citizens say
Enuy, who is therewho will dare contend
land wherein is this unfair" forsooth.
Pray, who should be the judges OF their
wants and desires but the people them-
selves? ri tE
| The question ofareyenue should not on.
ter into the question at all, Dollars and
cents Is an insignificant matter m me
premises as compared with, the. WeighteE
considerations. But If those who rear =,
loss TO the States Soffers as q result OF
the law will consider a moment they WIZ
be convinced that every dollar the Stalo
roses as a result of the closing OF 9 sa-
loon will be many times offset ny pros
porous and normal conditions following
the closing, HereEit Is In nut sneA'
every applicant TOR license falling to pro-
cure 1t furnishes a proof that had license
been obtained in tho absense of this la1
tho State would have sanctioned fos
petty revenue an Institution tnimICsl to
the peace, dignity ana morals Of the CONS
u,inity and hence en- ultimate state,reve-
nue. loser! This cannot be answered.
Gentlemen of tho Legislature, heed tbs
ltYoIce of the old Commonwealth. and pass
1.-THE Mann bill !. !,
Richmond, Va, Feb, q,