The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-10-23
OPPOOESPROHIBITION
Kent Stands Squarely for
Local Option in Virginia.
WOULD VETO SUBMISSION BILL
Republican Candidate for Governor
AmpIihes Temperance Views, and
Calls Upon Judge Mann TO State
Clearly Where He SIRnds-Says
Democrats Have MuddIed the Issue.

Roanoke. Va, Oct 2.-Capt W. P.
Kent. Republican candidate for governor.
in simplifying his position on the liquor
question. threw down the gauntlet TO
the prohibiuonists to-day and came out
strongly and unequivocally for local
option. personal privilege, and local self
government Following his declaration.
he called upon Judge Mann to declare
in a clear way where he stands on the
liquor question.
Capt Kents declaration, though not
saying so in as many words. means that
he will veto a Statewide prohibition
submission bill should one pass the next
legislature and If he is the next governor
Of Virginia
The effect OF Capt Kents attitude TO-
ward prohibition, which is the goal OF the
State Anti-Saloon League, IS problemat-
teal 1t is believed that his declaration
comes too late to catch the wet votes
or the influence exerted by the whisky
and brewery interests Of Virginia. II is
an open secret that these interests are In
clined to balk at Judge Mann, as they
believe he is leading the State toward
prohibition. but II is further asserted
that these same interests are afraid to
run counter 20 the wishes Of the powers
that be" IN the Democratic party.
McKinIay Also Speaks.
Speaking with Capt. Kent when he an
nounced his stand on the liquor cues
ton. was Representative Duncan B. Nc
Klnlav. of California. Mr. McKinlay
confined his remarks to national issues,
while Capt. Kent discussed State issues
and hurled broadside after broadside into
Judge Mann and the Democratic party.
In opening his address, Capt. Kent
nraised the tariff bill. which he said is
starting business to boom all over the
land He said confidence is being re-
stored. and he wants Virginia to have its
share of the prosperity which Will soon
sweep over the nation.
Cant Kent took roseate view Of his
chances Of being elected governor. He
said:
Hundreds Of letters have been re-
ceived from Democrats, saying they are
going 20 vote our ticket. Thousands Of
warm hand grasps have been accom-
panied with the remark, I'm going to
be with you this year
Capt. Kent claims that thousands of
Democrats will vote the Republican
ticket this year, because the Republican
party stands for something, and il has
not lodged and straddled Issues, while
the Democrats have no doctrines to
preach, no principles to elucidate, and no
policies 70 advocate.
Democrats Confused, Says Kent.
After placing himself flat-footed on a
platform OF local option. Capt Kent said.
regarding the liquor question:
Now, NY hearers. and all the people
Of Virginia who may read my words,
you know exactly where the Republican
party and its candidate stands on the
LIQUOR question. DO you know where
the Democratic party and it's candidate
stand? Has not that party and It's can
didate, in collision with the Anti-Saloon
League, purposely made the issue on
their side a confusing and perplexing
muddle? First we are told that local
option Is the best solution and for the
best interests Of temperance Then we
are told, evidently as a sop to the liquor
interests, that there will be no attempt
at liquor legislation OF any kind for at
least two years. Then we are told that
petition viii be circulated asking the
legislature to put the matter OF State