Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1909-02-19

On our nrSt page Will be found in full
the sane and safe resolutions of the
Legislative committee at Norfolk last
week, which was adopted practically
unanimously. 1t was q jar to those
newspapers and politicians who had
hoped for this powerful organization to
make mistake and declare for State
wide prohibition. Some so-called Demo-
cratic newspapers averse to the tenn
perance movement had hoped by pro-
hibition declaration to throw the Anti
Saloon League into disrepute with the
Democratic party and majority of the
people of the State. These papers mis-
represented the proceedings by pub
fishing unfair and sarcastic reports.
Another element, exceeding small,
hoped to put the League out of accord
with Judge Mann and then have the
Republican convention when. it assem-
bles declare for Statewide prohibition
and claim the Leagues support for the
Republican ticket-which it would neces-
sarily have had to do to be consistent.
This latter element was led by ex-State
Senator Harmon, Republican. of the
Southwest, who introduced the State
wide resolution This Republican pro-
paganda should have been shut off, but
the few advocates were given every
opportunity to be heard, notwithstand-
ing the allusion of inimical papers to
gag law" This constituted the only
friction of the entire convention, but It
was slight. We have seen more feel
ing in many religious conventions, and
the reports of newspapers that there
was bitter discussion are utterly false.
Senator Harmon is a receptive candi-
date for the Republican nomination for
governor, and this was the only politics
injected into the proceedings-careful
planned by enemies of Democracy and
squelched by the convention.
The wise policy OF the convention is
being commended by those who know
correctly the proceedings. The Reverend
James Cannon needs no defense at our
hands. At the same time some news
paper meddlers tried to breed distur-
bance between him and the Honorable
carter Glass. congressman, and the
latter bit. Mr.. Cannon made no allu.
sion to Mr.. Glass in Norfolk, nor did
ne make speech or address as reported.
The excuse for the newspaper canard
was in the report of the Legislative
committee, read by Mr.. Cannon as
chairman, and the far-fetched applica-
ton might have fitted any one of half a
dozen politicians. The report was
signed by Mr.. Glass pastor as we'll as
by DR.. Cannon and others. However.
the irascible Congressman quickly
took the bait the newspaper sensa-
tionalists threw out for him. After due
time all the people will come To see
that certain papers are not to be relied
on for reports of things that don't 90
their way. We append comments by
fair exchanges, showing the reception
of this giant movement that is causing
many to ''sit up and take notice.:
lStaunton Dispatch.l
All that has been done in the way of
restricting the liquor traffic in this state
has been done by democrats, and so long
as they continue in the way they have
been going, there is no logical reason
why the progressive temperance advo-
Gates should desert the democratic
party.
Local Option Is Democratic.
alexandria Gazettel
The Anti-Saloon League, now in ses-
sion in Norfolk, will do well by adopt
ing the committees report, which
stands for local option and not for State
wide prohibition. The latter measure
is un-Democratic and contrary to home
rule ideas upon which Democracy is
founded.
Not Along Prohibition Lines.
lSalem Times-Registerl
Statewide prohibition will not be an
issue In the coming gubernatorial cam
paign in Virginia. This is the decree
OF the Anti-Saloon League. This action
on the part of the Anti-Saloon League
is wise, for Statewide prohibition as an
issue would divide our people along
lines upon which it is best to keep them
together. Democracy can and may be
assaulted in this State along just this line
and the welfare of the State damaged
thereby. The people of Virginia are in |
favor of banishing saloons, and this will
shortly be done, but we hope and trust
not along the line of Statewide prohi-
Dition.
Newport News Times Herald
The Times-Herald thinks that the
League has done wisely to
dhere to the principle of local option.
local option is not prohibition, as MANY
'ersons seem to think. The two terms ,
re often confused, but they are by no
neans synonymous. Local option is
ne right conceded to each and eyerv ,
ommunity to regulate the liquor traffic .,
'ithin its own confines The voters ,
lay decide to prohibit theliquor traffic, ,
ut, under local option, they decide the
uestion for themselves in lepalized
lection.
fredericksburg Free Lancet
we are glad to note that conservatism | q
larked the attitude of the Anti-Saloon r
'eague at Norfolk. 1t is practically f
ettled that no effort will be made to Y
ring about Statewide prohibition this t
ear. To undertake to do SO now vonl6 E
Il