Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-10-06
Entered at the Newport News va
postotIice as Second-C,ass matter
WEDNESDAY. OCTOBER C, 1909.
CAPTAIN kENTs REPLY TO THE
ANTI.sALOON LEAGUE.

,ican nominee for governor, yesterday
addressed communication to the
president of the Anti-saloon League
Of Virginia. in reply to a series OF
Questions submitted to him on behalf
of the league. In his communication
which is published in full IN another
column OF this paper today, the ne
publican nominee practically makes
M attempt TO answer the questions
asked him. lie very deliberately
evades the issue by quoting the Re
publican platform on the liquor ques
tion. and saying. Il do not recognize
your right in the capacity OF an or
fetal Of the Anti saloon League OIL
virginia TO catechise me as to tenn
perance legislation other than that
adopted and advocated by your league
rs an organization"
Captain Kent does not fall to make
,Athe mos;f fol what is generally suppos-
ed to be fact. that most OF the
members of the executive committee
OF the Anti-saloon League favor the
candidacy of Judge Mann. the Demo
cratic nominee He refers to this
rointedly and remarks that he views
the questions propounded by the COM
mittee with suspicion" This I'M
doubtedly weakens the leagues posi-
ton and perhaps will tend TO detract
from the effect OF the demonstration
OF the fact that the Republican can
didate is straddling on the liquor
question.
In order to appreciate Captain
Kent's reasons for standing on his
platform and attacking the officers OF
the league instead of answering their
questions, we have only to recall ono
or two things that have happened
very recently. few weeks ago II
was announced that the prohibition
leaders Of the Southwest had inform
ed Republican State Chairman Slemp
that Immediately after the November
election petitions would be circulated
lature to submit the question of state
wide prohibition to vote OF the peo-
pie. Shortly after this announcement.
MIR. Slemp gave out an interview IN
his own name. in which he accused
Judge Mann Of no; giving an answer
10 the question OF whether or not he.
il elected governor. would sign a bill
putting that Statewide prohibition
question 10 a vote of the people. In
the event such bill were passed. The
intimaiion in this vas that. while
Judge Mann would sign such a bill and
was afraid 10 say so. the Republican
nominee probably would veto such a
measure
Nov. among ether things, the Anti
saloon League Oflcers have asked
Captain Kent the point blank cues
ton whether OF net he would sign ;
bill putting the State vide prohibition
10 a VOTE OF the people in the even
the legislature passed such a bill Ans
Captain Kent does just what the Re
publican chairman charged Judgl
Mann with doing the cues
ton.
A a matter Of fact everybody WI
read the newspapers during the recen
Democratic primary campaign knows
Il Mr. Slemp does not. that bot
Judge Mann and Mr. Tucker. Will
declaring IN favor OF local option. san
repeatedly and explicitly that II IN
legislature shos'a see At to adopt
BIN giving the people q virginia n
right 10 vote on the question Of Siats
vide prohibiticn TRY would sign
captain Kent would not dare sa
tAat he you'd refuse 20 sign such
measure. He knows, IN the arst plsc'