Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-10-12
go
STATEMENT TO VOTERS
Continued From Third Page.)

/ ity the president of the league has
propounded the questions of our OFF,
cial letter-questions. which in his
| Judgment. are at variance with the
well-defined purposes of the league.
We would answer that while the
league dominates no candidates and
supports no political party, yet it does
urge the voters of Virginia to select
men for public Office who are in IA
,vor of tho abolition of the saloon. The
league was organized for this purpose,
and this has been its program from
the beginning. No candidates can reas-
Jonably object to a statement con-
corning his past record and present
position. especially when he Is ro-
quested to make that statement in his
own words.
The closing paragraphs of Mr..
Kent's letter are as follows:
In considering your Undergraduates
you must remember that i am not
unmindful of the fact that practically
the entire executive committee OF
your organization IL committed to
the candidacy and support of my OPP
ponent. Such being the case, natur-
ally regard with suspicion the series
of questions propounded TO me which
are so openly at variance with the
principles adopted by your .organiza-
ton in conyention assembled.
Il desire to make the formal re-
quest that you publish for the infor-
nation of the rank and file Of your
organization throughout the common
wealth a list Of the members of your
executive committee as shown Oh your
printed letterhead who voted for my
/ opponent in the recent Democratic
primary. so that the people of Virgin
! la may know whether or not you and
those engaged with you In submitting
! these inierrogatories are already If.
, revocably committed to the support
of the candidacy of my opponent. And
! If this should be true. I would like to
! inquire why you submit these inter-
rogatories when, no matter what my
| answer may be, it could not affect
your action or vote In the coming
| clection?"
In answer to these paragraphs we
would say that the executive commit
tee Of the league, as a committee is
| committed to the candidacy of neith-
er the Democratic nor the Repubii-
can nominee. and we regret sincerely
| that Mr.. Kent has regarded our in
quiry with suspicion
|, Moreover. Mr.. Kent must know that
these questions are not asked to OBJ
tain information simply for the small
number C voters upon the executive
committee. but for the information Of
all the voters of the state-Republi-
cans. Democrats and Third Party Pro
hibitionists-all Of whom have the
right to know the position Of Mr.. Kent
on these questions.
Will Not Poll Committee.
As to the formal request that a
Est Of the members OF the executive
committee be published. together with
thc information as &c whether OF not
they entered the recent Democratic
primary. We would say that party poll
tics have never been discussed In our
executive committee meetings. as the
league has always had within its
ranks Republicans. Democrats and
Third Party Prohibitionsts. At the
present time Hon. VIM. VI. Mann.
Democratic candidate fer governor.
and Hon. A. T. Lincoln. Repuhlican
candidate for lieutenant governor. are
both vice presidents Of the league.
Fer Us 10 poll the executive commit
tee a. suggested by Mr.. Kent would.
therefore BE- contrary 20 one Of the
fundamental principles Of the league.
The lcaeuc has nov performed rs
duty 10 the voters Of Virginia In re-
ference 20 The candidates for the gov
crnCrship. u has propoundcd fhc
same Questions 10 all the candidates
and has presented their replies "a
the public n nov leaves the matter
sith the vcters for settlement In the
general election The letter % Mr
Kent follows IN fpii below
HENRY PEARCE ATKINS.
President.