Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1909-03-24
JUDGE MANN SPEAKS.

enthusiastically received him.
Judge William Hodges Mann, Of
Nottoway County. formally opened
his campaign for governor Of Viz
ginia, and In lengthy speech out
lined his views on vital politicai
questions in this State, especially
the liquor question. in Petersburg,
last Thursday night.
Regarding his position on State
wide prohibition legislation from
the next legislature, Judge Mann
took practically the same position
as taken by his opponent, Harry
St. George Tucker.
While reiterating his stand for
the principles Of local option In
fighting the saloon, Judge Mann
said he would veto a Statewide
prohibition bill. if the Legislature
passed it without instructions from
the people, but he would sign pro
hibition legislation if it was passed
by a legislature elected by the
people on a prohibition platform.
and he would also sign bill sub
hitting the question to the people
for decision.
Judge Mann also outlined his
position on other important State
questions, showing by his legisla-
tive career that he always favored
better roads, better schools, and
industrial and commercial i'm
provements in the State.
Regarding his liquor views.
which have been much dicussed in
the State press, Judge Mann said:
In declaring my position on the
liquor question, desire to say that
there has been delay in answering
certain questions propounded by
newspapers. not because was un-
willing for the people of Virginia
10 know my views. or because |
was at all uncertain as to what |
should say upon a question which
has been more or less vital to me
for thirty-fve years, but because
1preferred to wait, as | have done,
until / was able to open my canvass
IN public speech and state my
views on the liquor question along
with other important issues in the
campaign. am sorry to say that
my delay has been misconstrued,
and has been made the occasion
of ungenerous attack upon my
motives.
For more than thirty-five years
have been jealous and consistent
advocate Ofthe cause of temperance.
l have proclaimed my convictions
in every section of the State, and !
l had thought until lately that my |
life would be satisfactory answer
to the questions prOpounded TO me.
Temperance has greatly adj
vanced since 1904, and i believe
that Its further advancement in
Virginia will be best served by the |
policy of local option, and that an
educational campaign carried on
under this policy will best promote
the cause of temperance and secure
the most effective law Observance.
and the most permanent and bene
fetal results.
While these are my personal
views, declared in public speecl.
on February 8 last, and consistently
adhered 10 for many years. and
while favor the policy of locai
option as the best method from tie
standpoint of permanence and law
enforcement, and while experience
has demonstrated the wisdom of
this method of dealing with ae
hquor question in Virginia. \, Z.
recognize the right of the pt -
To demand laws g, d~al ith ln-
and every uln-r question winch ,
affects their interests.
In conformity with these views.
II elected and during my term ofrr
office the legislature should pass a j,
psohibitory law without previous /
instruction 10y the people, / should
veto it as violative Of the funda- .
mental principle, Of local option =
and as damaging, from my stand 9
point. to the best permanent in "
terest of the temperance cause. .
Bat should the people elect a 9
legislature upon that issue, under
such circumstances and conditions a