Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1905-04-27
THURSDAY, APRIL %, 1905.
AFRAID Of THE RECORD.


The Virginia Democrats are greatly
troubled over the Mann liquor law.
They are between the devil and the
deep sea on the liquor question. If
they try to uphold the Mann law they
are afraid of the effect it will have
upon the liquor men; and if they assail
that law they are doubtful as to what
influence it will produce with the anti
saloon vote. The Mann law is acknowl-
edged to be of Democratic enactment;
but there is evident intention Of the
Democratic managers to escape the re-
sponsibility, if possible, of the legisla-
ton. Can they do it, and hold the sup
port and respect of the liquor men and
those who are opposed to the traffic in
the State?
The Anti-Saloon League has taken
steps through its president, Rev. James
Cannon, to ascertain the views of the
Democratic candidates for Governor on
the Mann law. Of course it was con-
ceded that Judge Mann was for the law
which bears his name. The inquiry Of
Rev. Cannon was, therefore, directed
to Messrs. Swanson and Willard. The
latter has replied in an open letter to
the inquiry, and has undertaken to
point out several Objectionable features
of the law in question. He tries to
straddle by declaring:
81 approve the Mann Bill when con-
strued as controlling and regulating the
sale of whiskey, but l do not approve
of it when construed as prohibition. "
This is the little dish of sop handed
by Mr.. Willard to the temperance ele-
ment. He presents a large and full
dish to the liquor men in the following:
al favor rigid control of the whiskey
traffic 1 am, however, opposed to
prohibition, first, because the Demo-
cratic party and its policy have always
been against sumptuary laws; second,
because prohibition does not prohibit;
third, because if prohibition does not
prohibit and the whiskey traffic will ex-
list, then should the State regulate the
traffic so as to minimize its evils, and
derive therefrom it's proper revenue;
fourth, do not believe that public SEN
timent will sustain prohibition laws,
and am opposed to the existence of
any law on our statute books which is
not enforced.
There is no mistaking the position of
Mr.. Willard. He is opposed to the
Mann law, because it is Sumptuary
law and in it's operations prohibition
measure. i.
Mr.. Swanson, of course, cannot re-
main silent. He will have to declare
his position on the liquor law which a
Democratic Legislature has given to
Virginia. Will he be as outspoken in
his opposition to the Mann law as has
been Mr.. Willard? If so, it will then
give the Anti-Saloon Democrats an OPP
portunity to show their faith by their
works at the coming Democratic pri-
mary. 1t will also furnish a chance to
determine whether or not there is any
considerable part of the Democratic
party in Virginia that is opposed to the
open saloon. The vote for Judge Mann
will prove how many of the Democratic
voters are sincere in their hostility to
the liquor traffic. -
The Richmond Times Dispatch OBJ
iects to the Mann law because cit prac-
tically legislates all saloons out Of exis-
tence in the rural districts" without
letting the people pass upon the question
bv a secret ballot. Our Richmond con-
temporary says:
eve should like to see the question
tested, and we believe that it should be
tested. 1t should be submitted to a
vote of the people. That would settle
it one way or the other beyond perad-
venture. If the law is backed by pub
lie sentiment, it should be continued; II
not, sooner or later, it will fall OF It's
own weight. +"
No doubt our contemporary and the
Democratic leaders in Virginia would
like to see the question settled in the
above way by the voice of the people,
without regard to political parties. But
that is hardly likely to occur. The
Democrats have gotten themselves into
a muddle over this liquor question and
they will have an opportunity at their
apuroaching primary to define their po-
sition as to the Mann law. The Demo-
Gratis who are for that law will vote for
Judge Mann. Those who are opposed
10 it will vote against him. We appre-
bend the Mann men will be greatly in
he minority. According to our ooser-
,ation the average Virginia Democrat
will lay aside his moral convictions to
further the interests of his party