The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-03-19
MANN OUTLINES
PROHIBITION VIEWS
UphOldS Principle OF Local
Option as Safest.
OPENS CAMPAIGN IN VIRGINIA
Says He VIII Veto Any Prohibition
Measure, AZ Passed by Legislature
without Instructions from People.
Would Sign Bill Enacted by Body
Elected on Prohibition Platform.
.pocial to me wsshlngton Hsnla.

Special TO The Washington Herald.
Petersburg. Va. March 1a-Before a
large audience. which enthusiastically re-
ceived him. Judge William Hodges Mann.
OF Nottoway. County, formally opened his
campaign for governor OF Virginia, and IN
lengthy speech outlined his views on
vital political questions in this State, es-
pecially the liquor question.
Regarding his position on Statewide
prohibition legislation from the next
legislature, Judge Mann took prae-
tically the same position as taken by his
opponent, Harry St George Tucker.
While reiterating his stand for the prin-
ciple OF local option In fighting the saloon,
Judge Mann said he would veto a State
wide prohibition bill, If the legislature
passed it without instructions from the
people but he would sign prohibition leg
islation If it was passed by a legislature
elected by the people on a prohibition
platform, and he would also sign a bin
submitting the queGtion 20 the people for
decision.
Judge Mann also outlined his position
on other important State questions. show
ing by his legislative career that he al
ways favored better roads, better schools.
and industrial and commercial improve
ments in the State.
Regarding his liquor views. which have
been much discussed in the State press.
Judge Mann said:
His Position MiscOnstrued.
In declaring my position on the liquor
question. 1 desire TO say that there has
been delay in answering certain ques-
lions propounded by newspapers. not be-
cause I was unwilling for the people OF
Virginia 10 know my views. or be-
cause ! was at all uncertain as to what
/ should say upon a question which has
been more or less vital TO me for thirty
five years. but because I preferred 70
wait. as I have done, until I was able
70 open my canvass in a 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-fve years ]
have been a jealous and consistent advo-
cate Of the cause OF temperance. have
proclaimed my convictions IN every sec
ton Of the State, and I had thought un-
I'll lately that my life would be a salts
factory answer TO the questions pro-
pounded 10 me
FavOrs Local Option.
Temperance has greatly advanced
advancement IN Virginia viii 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 beneficial results.
While these are my personal views.
declared in a public speech on February
last. and consistently adhered to for
many years. and while I favor the policy
OF local option as the best method from
the standpoint OF permanence and law
enforcement. and while experience has
demonstrated the wisdom OF this method
OF dealing with the liquor question IN
Virginia. yet I recognize the right OF
the people TO demand laws 10 deal with
this and every other question which az
fects their interests.
Would Veto Unauthorized Bill.
IN conformity with these views, II
elected. and II during my term OF Office
the legislature should pass a prohIbitory
law without previous instruction by the
people. ] should veto Il as violative OF
the fundamental principle Of local op-
-
point 10 the best permanent interest Of
the temperance cause.
But should the people elect a Iegis-
lature upon that issue. under such cir
cumstanees and conditions as 20 satisfy
me that the will OF the people had been
clearly and fairly expressed, and should
a legislature so elected pass a bill clearly
responsive 10 the widespread demand Of
the people expressed at the polls. believ-
ing that the governor OF Virginia IS as
much the servant OF the people as are
the members Of the general assembly. I
should feel obliged 70 sign such a bin
securing 10 them their wishes so ex-
pressed by their instructed representa-
tives.
Should I be elected governor OF Vir-
ginia. and should the legislature during
my term oL OIlCt pass an ACT submitting
the question Of Statewide prohibition 10
the vote OF the people. recognizing as
do the right Of the people 10 pass upon
all matters pertaining 10 their interests.
I would sign the bill.
Denies Combination Charges.
1T has been charged that I have made.
or that some OF my friends have made for
me, an agreement with the LIQUOR men
by which in consideration OF a modifca-
ton Of my views their support has been
secured. can answer that charge in a
very few words; indeed, I might simply
say that it is absolutely and wholly
false. The platform on which I stood in
1906 and that on which I stand now do not
show any modification Of my position. but
both Of them show that I am striving for
permanent results and law enforcement.
I have made no agreement. nor has any
one for me made any agreement. with the
liquor people. nor have I been asked 10
do so directly or Indirectly
And now that have denied any
agreement with the liquor people. 7 must
make the same denial with reference TO
the Anti-SalOon League. I sincerely wish