Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1909-07-30
LOCAL OPTION DEMOCRACY
(Communicated)

is unit whose autonomy cannot be |
disturbed by the action of any of its
parts, Is one of the great |
questions-and the greatest one-set- |
tied by the sword
For convenience OF administration |
IL Is divided into smaller units and
so palnned, with powers so distribut-
ed, as to most effectually secure the
rule of the majority, beginning with
the smallest unit, on up through all
the gradations 10 the great haad. An
this principle is called democracy.
Local option, "as we understand II,
is the application OF this principle
To the smaller units i'm special
manneer, or as etfectinga special I'm te-
rest The policy of licensing the sale
OF intoXicants, as n beverage, has i'm
recent years attracted much attention
and awakened unusual interest i'm the
minds of the people of Virginia, and
of other states, and Is raTidly forg-
ing It's way into the politics of the
country at large. IL has not yet be-
come party question. That Is, be-
tween democrats and republicans,
but any man OF either party, seeking
the suffrages of the people for impor-
tant Office, is expected TO define his
position on this question and let the
people know exactly how he stands
I'm relation To IL.
Our two candidates for governor,
Judge Mann and Mr.. Tucker, have
been catechised by the Anti-Sasloon
League with view To- get def
mite and unequivocal information
on this point. They are both demo-
Gratis and both good men, and either,
we haze no doubt, would make
capable and efficient governor About
the only point of cleavage between
them is this question OF vital inter
vest To temperance peonle Judge
Mann has repeatedly made public de
claration that he favors local option
as the best means under present con
ditions OF securing the end; that
should the Legislature pass n State
wide prohibition bill, and under
circumstances TO satisfy him that
such measure was In accord with
the Will of the majority, he would as
governor, approve IL and that, should
IL at any time become his duty TO
vote on the question of wet or dry,
he would vote dry every time. Ills
past record gives force TO these declar-
ations.
Mr.. fuckers position Is somew hat
cloudod. lie declares In favor of local
option, and charges Judge Mann with
being In league with the whiskey
element, which seems rather thin.
We submit that on this occasion he
should be MAINLY, and take water
without spiking IL, or take whiskey
without diluting IL. lie seems to be
an earnest advocate OF local option,
but opposed to statewide prohibition.
lie favors local option, because IL Is
democratic. " He has never voted dry
I'm n local option contest, SO far as we
kuow and In his answers To theAnti
Saloon Lague's questions there is too
much of the air of defense.
The whiskey people, themselve
are jealous advocates Of local option,
as opposed To statewide prohibition.
II local option Is right and demo
cratic when applied to the-small Ter
units-townsphis, counties and
municipalities IL not equally
right and equally democratic when
applied To- the larger units-statC
and nation, should the majority o.
the state or nation declare at the bal
lot box in favor OF it? why should
"A principle be democratic only II
small spots? What is statewide pro
hibition more than the same prin-
ciple on a larger csale? National pro
hibition is the ultimate goal. May
the cause grow and gather stIengtf
till this Is accomplished Then will
those living, witness reformation
the like of which has never been seer
on this earth. Let all who are inte
rested in the cause of temperance cas-
their votes in the coming primary 70
the man who has the best dry record
FL. q. II.
Tazewell, Va, July 20.
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