The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-02-11
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stzf Correspondence Ths Washington Head
Norfolk, Va, Feb. 10 - The Virginia
Anti-Sslocn Leagues in session at Ep-
pSerth Methodist Church. to-day turned
down by almost unanimous vote two
propositions looking 10 a Statewide pro
hI5ition campaign in Virginia this year,
and adopted the legislative committees
report, which declares for continuance OF
local option methods in fighting the
saloon.
This action Of the convention was taken
sStsr bitter discussion and stormy ses-
sion. At times feeling ran so high that
= threat to bolt was made on the part OF
the prohibition advocates. and several
times cries OF Gag rule" and Dis
courtesy" rang through the building.
The fight for prohibition was precipi-
taJe5 By former state Senator Harmsn.
Of Tazeweli. He offered a substitute for
that section OF the legislative commit
tees report which declared for local
option. and opposed Statewide prohibi-
,fon. This substitute declared for pro-
hibition in Virginia by legislative enact
ment.
No sooner had this substitute been
offered than Rev. J. " Ware. Of Cui-
peper, arose and moved the substitute be
tabled. Several cries Of protest were
heard. as his melton would have cut OF
debate on The question. Rev. J. T. Bate
man, Of Norfolk, and Senator Thomas
both got the floor and demanded that
Senator Harman was entitled to explain
his substitute. Mr.. Batemsn said il
would be the height Of discourtesy 10
deny him the right. Senator Thomas de-
clared he would leave the convention u
he was denied the privilege. Cries Of
go on greeted his remark
Rev. James Cannon. jr.. assisted By
other local option advocates. by motions
and counter motions. sought 10 prevent
discussion Of the prohibition substitute
They made so many points Of order that
the convention got IN an uproar, and the
chairman hardly knew where he was
at Finally a vote wss called for on
motion 10 table the HarmaD substitute.
and Il was lost. and then the fight
opened
Leaves Platform in Anger.
Mr.. Thomas, fntimated that grand
moguI al washington was trying 10
OF Virginia was dry and yet the league
stood for a stand still policy. After
speaking a half hour, remark that the
speaker was discOurteous caused him TO
leave the platform. after saying he would
surrender his cause rather than be ac-
cused OF such a charge.
The big tight in the convention IS over
Rev. James Cannon and the friends OF
Judge William Hodges Mann candidate
for governor. are victorious They ad-
vocafed local option. because. II is said.
such a measure VIII keep prohibition
from becoming complicated in the guber-
Material campaign.
Now on Common Ground.
This action OF the league also brings
Judge Mann. the Antj-Saloon League, Of
which ne e vice president, and the Demo
cratic machine leaders together on q
common ground.
Now the gubeTnatorial situation Is this.
Judge Mann is the State machine candi-
date for governor. he was also virtually
fndorsed for governor by the Anti Saloon
League last night All che Anti-Salt On
leaders are supporting him, and while
they say there Is no politics in the con-
ventlon. they make no bones OF saying
they are for Mann. first. last. and all
the time
Judge Mann stands for local option; The
State machine stands for local option,
and the Anti-Ssloon League also stands
for local option: thus il is seen that all
three are harmonious on issues and can
dIdates IN the Democrats guberaarorial
urinary this summer
With all this influence behind him the
gubernatoTiai race in Virginia locks to
night that Judge Mann viii be an easy
winner Harry Tucker favors i0cal op-
ton. and therefore does not cross: The
views OF Judge Mann in such a way as
10 command the support Of any powerful
following such as the Anti-Saloon League
and the State machine is able 10 cum
rnand IN Judge Mann's behalf.
The league tonight elected Rev H P
Atkins. Of Richmond. president, and Rev
J b Pitcher. OF Petersburg. secretary
Sesborn Wright. the Georgia prohibit
zionist, addressed the convention tonight.
which was tired and worn out by the
stormy session this evening