Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-07-08
PUTTING THE YARD-sTICK.

PUTTING IHII rAhD-ShASh.
One year 10 South Carolina when the
Tillman and warehouse currency crazes
we're at their height the Tillnsn adher-
ents organized a process which they
called quitting the yard-stick." They
prepared a series of questions which
were submitted publicly at campaign
meetings to each candidate for Office,
great or small. The man who failed to
measure up to the yard-stick exactly
was put under ban and condemned to
defeat, whatever his character, quali6-
cations or record, however great his
promise of usefulness might be, however
sound his principles and policies on gen.
ersl questions. The whole country
laughed at the performance, which GER
tainly was lamentsble one, and after
little time to cool of the Tillmsn people
themselves recognized the absurdity OF
1t. Now the very men who were APP
pointed to apply the yard-stick and who
used to stand up a. meetings and roll
out the questions with great rhetorical
effect do not like reference to the matter.
1t Is time for our friends, the prohi-
bi:ionists and Anti-Saloon League, to
ask themselves whether they are not
coming to initiate pretty closely this
Tillman scheme, which was laughed ont
of politics after it had been effective to
the extent of retiring some of the best
and sblest men 10 the State and putting
In charge of affairs some deplorsble in
competents whose only recommendation
was that they would swallow the yard
stick. We observe 10 the Peters.
burg Index-Appeal correspondence
between representatives Of the Anti
Saloon League of Virginia and
Mr.. Charles T. Lsssiter, candidate for the
State senate. This shows that series
of six propositions was put to Mr..
Lassiter formally. They include q meas
ure to define the qualifications for voters
in local option elections; to require
social clubs to take out regular retail
liquor license and TO be subject to the
Sunday and holiday laws; to require
the State chemist to anslyze mixtures
supposed to contain intoxicants and
give certificates OF their contents: to
bring distilleries under the Mann Law:
to allow wards In cities to hold local
option elections; to prohibit agents or
dealers 10 liquor from soliciting orders
in dry territory; to increase the penal
ties for Illicit liquor traffic.
In very temperate and strsightfor-
ward letter Mr.. Lassiter says that he
fsvors some of these propositions, OPP
poses others. and as to others has no
special opinion. We judge from the
tone of the publication by representa-
tives of the Anti-Saloon League that
the league and its friends will oppose
Mr.. Lassiter. He has failed to swallow
the yasa-stick. We know nothing Of
the other caudi1.. s'-sadidstes.
They may be good men and it to take
Mr.. Lassitei's place on their own merits
compared with his. That is question
for the voters of the district to decide.
We do know, however, that Mr. Lsssi-
ter was very strong, capable and ener-
getic senator. We were interested partie-
ulsrly in his untiring efforts in behalf
of good roads in the State, which i'm
pressed us as being directed on sensible.
conservative and at the same time, pro-
gressive lines. He took the lead 10
that matter, which In our view 10 the
most vital and pressing now before the
people of Virginia. 1t goes along with
the other tremendously important ques-
ton of immigration and bringing new
people in to buy and cultivate our waste
land. We cannot hope for any general
influx OF immigrants until we have some
decent roads over which they can travel
and market their products.
Speaking generally from our know
ledge of Virginia people, they will be
disposed to resent with some vigor the
effort of the Anti-Saloon League to OBJ
trude itself as an organization into our
politics and TO apply its ysid.stick TO
candidates for important Office. They
will inquire with some pardonable Gu
riosity by what right Mr. J. w. West,
secretary, undertakes TO be the judge Of
the qualifications Of senators and repre-
sentstives and whether he possesses any
overpowering qualifications which give
him authority to lay his ysrd-stick
against q man, demanding that be
measure up to the last fraction of Its
inches or be retired to private life. They
will wish to know whether we are to
send to our legislature representatives
bound and tied by the Anti-Ssloon Lea
que, representing its policies and pur-
poses 10 the last detail or whether they
shall send thoughtful and wetl-informed
men who may be trusted to vote and act
on all matters according to their honest
judgments Of what is needed for the vel.
fate Of people and State. Richmond
News-Leader, July 3.
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and taste, yet he has not q single grain
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Coffee Imitation is made from pure toasted
grains or cereals, with Malt, Nuts, etc. Made
in q minute. No tedious wait. You will
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Sons.
DRY GOODS.
.IanShIIrgh &RrO