The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-02-10
Anti-SalOOnistS Will Accept
Views of Judge Mann
REAL BATTLE THIS MORNING
OId-time Democratic Doctrine IN Viz
GINA of Local Option VIII Probably
Garry af Norfolk, Although Slight
Notifications Are PrObabIe-Jndge
Mann Makes Opening address,

do so would cCmplcate the issue Win
gubernatoriaI issues and make It 'po-
Ii;ical football for the politicians, the
Virginia Anti-salOon League, which con-
vened tonight in Epworth Methodist
Church here In its eighth annual session.
heard the report Of the legislative COM
mittee, the most powerful and influential
body in the League. which for its strong
Endorsement OF local option and Us earn
est plea against forcing a statewide
prohibition fight IN Virginia was really
sensational
This report was read by Rev. James
Cannon. jr. president Of the Anti
saloon League. and chairman OF the leg
islative committee, who IS the most In
fuentiai character In the body. This COM
mittee shapes future policies Of the
League and directs its fight against the
saloon. The reading Of the report fol-
lowed the perfunctory addresses Of vel
come and response II was heard by
the largest gathering Of Anti-saloon del
egates in Virginia. and a body OF men
prominent in their section Of the State.
Report Is Laid Over.
The report was laid over until to-mor-
row morning. when II viii come for dis
cussion- It IS then the real battle Of
the entire convention viii take place.
It was evident tonight mat the local
option section Of the report VIII be
fought. No sooner had It been read
than a delegate jumped I'D and asked II
the report was under consideration This
delegate. It was stated. was ready 10
protest against the local option section.
It Is learned tonight that a substitute
has been prepared and this substitute VIII
urge Statewide prohibition. instead Of
commencing local Option.
After interviews with the leading dele
gates. I do not believe the prohibition
substitute can carry. even II an effort
70 stampede the convention Is made. The
local Optionists, headed by Judge William
Hedges Mann, who came out strongly for
that principle In his address before the
convention. and Rev. James Cannon, the
most influential character In Virginia
anti-saloon work, 50 far as 7 can observe.
control the convention. and win dictate
its policy
MumbIinEs of Discomfort.
8Iumblings OF discomfort ara already
being heard over the local option stand
of the committee. One delegate said the
Endorsement by the league OF the report
means nothing more than standing still
In the fight to Danish the saloon from
Virginia
s-,,A, s...-.-- - -, -e,,c-. -,-t,g-h
showed its tendency Internationally was
IT'S strong Endorsement OF Judge William
Hodges Mann, candidate for governor.
for his temperance reform fights in the
Virginia legislature
The report also recommended much al
ditional temperance legislation. especially
more stringent laws where saloons exist.
and for the protection Of dry territory
from wet districts. It farors the labelling
N red 70 eonsignor OF shipments, with
name Of intoxicant and quantity. Il
favors the cutting out Of profits in mu-
nicipal dispeasaTies. prohibiting sale OF
intoxicants contiguous 10 dry cities. pro-
hibiting sale 70 minors and females, in
creased penalties for drunkenness, so as
to make It a crime in the eyes OF those
who take lone too many" increased
power 10 the governor 20 control saloon
traffic. and for the county unit.
Hope Law VIII BE Upheld.
The report also touches on the Ward
law, which il believes VIII be upheld
by the Supreme Court, but if declared
unconstitutional a new condition viii
arise which must oe met in future-may
be. forcing Statewide prohibition.
The report further states that perhsp:
next year the prohibition fight may BE-
pressed forward. when there viii be TIC
complIcating features n the fight Thi:
IS taken as a suggestion for a compro-
mise in order to smooth the feelings o.
the staunch prohibitionists in convention
The adoption OF this report will NEAR
that prohibition VIII be removed from
the Democratic gubernatorial campaign
this year.
Hundreds Of delegates are here and
there is much political talk among them
Judge William Hodges Mann is tn,
lion Of the hour" He Is the center o.
every group. and the Anti-SalooI
Leaguers co not hesitate to declare h
Is the candidate for governor. In fact
no other gubernatorisl name is heard
Even Carter Glass, the Statewide pro
hibitionlst, has yet failed to enthuse an
OF the delegates. II Is Mann gathering
and the followers OF the NOttOway candi
date for governor, supported by Jane.
Cannon. IT.. president OF the league, ar,
n control Of the convention and vii
more or less influence its deliberations.
One OF the most important Development
OF the day is that the Republicans vii
almost certainly enter the gubernatoria
race On a Statewide prohibition platform
In fact, the Anti-Saloon League VIII b
served notice that the Republicans vii
make such a campaign, and the bod.
VIII be asked 10 declare whether It sin
| cerely favors prohibition in Virginia.
Not Ripe for Prohibition.
It is learned that the Democratic loca
I optionists viii reply to this argument b.
stating that Virginia and Virginia cite
are not ripe for prohibition. and tn
/ prohibition issue viii not be forced to thr
front in Virginia until public sentimen
: CT the State viii support it This attitud,
Of The Anti-Saloon League indicates tia
the Democratic organization leaders an
the Anti-Saloon League leaders are Il
harmony.
Judge Mann, in his speech at the open
ing OF the Anti-Saloon League, came on
hstfooted for local option. He says. 9TH,
principle Of local option. which is tn
policy Of the league. and which ] thinl
wise. permits communities 10 settle thi
great question for themselves, and hai
not been slow in its operation. as result
VIII show; but the determination Of tn,
question BY the communities for them
selves has made law enforcement easy
and the Old Dominion has moved forwar.
along temperance lines In such a way
and presents to-day a condition so ad
vsnced. so solid and satisfactory that tn,
/ league may oe proud Of IFS splendid lead
ers. and follow with confidence and viii