Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-08-04
Entered at the Newport News va.
Postofilce as Second-Class matter.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4. 1909.
THE ANTI SALOON LEAGUE IN
TIE PRIMARY CAMPAIGN.


day is printed a communication from
Rev. James Cannon. Jr. superinten-
dent of the Antil-Saloon League of
Virginia. The communication pur-
ports to be a reply to an editorial APP
pearing in The Daily Press on July "a
In which comment was made upon the
alleged action of Or. Cannon in calling
upon ministers of the state to furnish
him with lists OF voters for use by the
Anti Saloon League in the gubernator-
Ia, campaign.
Though in the half column occupied
by HIS letter DIR. Cannon does not
deny. or confirm the report that he
called upon ministers OF the-State for
lists OF voters, careful reading OF
The communication leads us to assume
that he did get. or attempt 10 get. lists
OF voters from the ministers for use
in the campaign. and that his answer
to editorial criticism is intended TO
convey the idea that when he did this
he was acting in his private capacity
and did not want the lists of voters
for use in his capacity as active head
OF the Anti-Saloon League of Virginia.
This assumption may or may not be
correct. Perhaps DIR. Cannon did not
attempt to secure lists OF voters from
ministers, but In spite OF his state
ment that the fact that ii appeared
in the columns OF the Journal was
presumptive evidence that It was
false" he does not specifically state
that he, DR. Cannon. Jr.. did not call
upon preachers for lists OF voters to
be used in connection with the cam
paign.
Whether or not DR.. Cannon's active
support OF Judge Mann's candidacy for
governor has been given. theoretically.
as an officer OF the Anti-saloon
is not important. DIR. Cannon is
large pant Of the Anti-Saloon League
Of Virginia even when that body is in
session. and during the long interval
between sessions he and a few others
practically are the league. To say
that the Anti-salOon League OF Viz
ginia Is rot supporting Judge Mann in
this campaign. and then admit that
DR.. Cannon and half a dozen others
who might be named are among the
judges most active and powerful sup
pOr:ers in the State. is 10 ecuivocate
Such a distinction is so fine that the
public generally forgets that there is a
distinction in spite Of the doctors fire.
quent reminders.
However. even II We allow that any
Thing that DIT. Cannon and his as
sociates in the management Of the An
ti-siocn League have cone in the cam
Faign cannot be charged up against
the league Itself. The Daily Press stili
believes that the Auti-saioon League
has been placed upon record by its
Officers as officially endorsing the can
didacy Of Judge Mann IN opposition 10
Mr. Tucker. n the volumiBous docu-
ocnt sent out By the headouariers
committee q the league. in connec.
ton with the question propounded by
the feagne 10 the candidates and the
answers Of the candidates. was no'
pro-usnn u certainly sas anti-Tuck
CT. aid that II a case Of SIX Of cns
and half a dozen % another
This product had none Of the ear
marks Of an unbiased. non-parti<ar
Sccnmenf. The Nsnn people accept
- n a. Mann propzngsnaa AID ths
Taekcr people accepted 4 a. such. \