Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-03-19
JUDGE MANN SPEAKS.

candidate for the democntic gubernato-.
rial nomination, announced his posi-
ton on the prohibition question.
This hiss been awaited with great To-
terest for weeks, and Judge Mann ex.
plsined that the delay In making the
announcement was not because he was
at sll uncertain, bat because be pre-
ferred to wait uulil he was able 10 open
his canvas in public speech aud state
bis views on the liquor question along
with those on other important Issues of
the campaign.
He took a shot at Mr.. II. st. George
Tucker, his competition for the nomins-
ton, when he said:
81 am naturally reluctant 10 declare
ostentalionsly aud beforehand, and with
out being able to know the conditions
which may then confront me, how /
should administer the functions Of high
constitutional Office, aud still more 30
10 threaten the chosen representatives OF
the people in General Assembly with q
veto In a contingency which think
very unlikely t. arise, aud which trust
will not arise"
Mr.. Tucker had announced that If
elected governor he would veto any
measure that might be passed looking to
state vide prohibition, unless the ques-
ton bal previously been submitted to
the approval by the people.
Judge Mann referred to bis record on
the temperance question, quoted extracts
from previous speeches, and then con-
tinued:
"While l favor the policy Of local OPP.
ton as the best method from the stand
point of permsnence and law enforce
ment, aud while experience hiss demon
straled the wisdom Of this method OF
dealing with the liquor question la Viz
GINA, yet recognize the right OF the
people 10 demaud laws to deal with this
and every other question which affects
their interests.
''In conformity with these views, II
elected and If during my term of Office
the legislature should pass prohibitory
Law Without previous instruction by the
people, l would veto it as violatiVe Of
the fundamental principle Of local option
and q, damaging, from my standpoint,
to the best permanent interest Of the
temperance cause.
''But should the people elect legisla-
ture upon that issue, under such circum-
stances and conditions as to satisfy me
that the will OF the people had been
clearly expressed, and should legisla-
ture so elected pass bill clearly re-
sponsive to the widespread demand Of
the people expressed at the polls, be-
lieviDg that the governor Of Virginia Is
as much the servant Of the people as are
the members OF the general ASSEMBLY, |
would feel obliged to sign such bill,
securing to them their wishes so ex-
pressed by their instructed representa-
tiyes.
"Should l be elected governor Of Vir-
GINA and should the legislature during
my term Of Office pass az act submitting
the question OF Statewide prohibition to
the vote Of the people, recognizing as ]
do the right Of the people to pass upon
all matters pertaining to their interests,
l would sligo the bill.
Judge Mann characterized as "abso-
lutely and wholly false" the charge that
he had made an agreement with the
liquor men by which, In consideration
OF modification Of his views, their sup
port would be given him.
10 outlining his position on o.her pub
lie questions Judge Mann urged an ap'
preparation sufficient to care for needy
Confederate veterans, the strengthening
OF the public school system, declaring
that he favored the establishment in
every properly equipped high school OF
department OF agriculture and manual
training; the development OF the normal
school system, and the adoption OF q
comprehensive plan for the improvement
of the roads of the State. He Endorsed
the use of conyicts on the roads, aud on
this point said, among other things:
"The greatest drawback to the use OF
convicts under our present system is the
expense of guarding them while at work,
making, with other charges, the cost a
day of 10 hours 70 cents for each con-
vict. An effort will be made by those
in charge to reduce this expense. A
suggestion has been made by the State
Highway Commission, which ] approve,
for the state to purchase qusrries at con-
venieDt points, put the long.tsrm prison
Iers to crushing rock for road material,
and then furnish 1t to the counties free
Of cost. The railroads hsye shown, as |
understand, Iiberalty in hauling con-
victs free of charge aud In hauling read
material at greatly reduced rates and, |
think, are willing to accept crushed rock
10 payment for at least part OF their
freight.
''This arrangement would enable the
state 10 locate quar- es In counties where
good road material exists and thus save
the cost OF transport s!ion, while 1t would
enable 1t to furnish good material to
counties having 10 rock, delivered with
10 their bounds. and thus remedy some
Of the present Inequalities OF our road
law"