Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1909-02-17
No. so.
CORRESPONDENCE
Two Great Reform Bodies Differ.


At the last Annual State Convention
of the Woman's Christian Temperance
Union held al Roanoke, Va, the follow
ing resolution was unanimously adopted:
In view Of the fact that prohibition
Is so wondrously extending its benef.
cient influences, especially throughout
our loved Southland, and believing that
The time has come for Virginia to take
her place with her sister states and de-
clare for statewide prohibition:
I've, the Woman's Christian Temper
ance Union Of the State Of Virginia. In
convention assembled in Roanoke. 1908.
do hereby declare our unfaltering alle-
glance to the cause of prohibition, and
pledge each other to use our best en-
deavor to speedily bring about the day
when the saloon shall be outlawed from
every county and municipality Of our
loved State:
And 10 this end we call upon Chris
tians Of every denomination, upon all
reform organizations, to unite with us
In petitioning our next State Legislature
70 pass a bill which shall outlaw the
saloon from the entire domain of the
State OF Virginia"
At the recent convention of the Anti
saloon League, Judge William Hodges
Mann was practically endorsed for Gov
ernOr Of the State.
Judge Manns policy is that Of Local
| Option. as against statewide prohibi-
ton; and it is not likely that he will re-
cede from his position.
These two great organizations. work
ing toward the same end. namely, the
abolishing Of the saloon from the State.
have come TO the parting of the ways, as
to method of procedure.
This seems rather unfortunate at this
time, owing 20 the statewide interest in
this question, the approaching election
OF Governor and the need Of perfect
agreement.
We believe it is a recognized fact that
the Republican party is growing in
numbers and influence in the State.
The action OF the Anti-Saloon League.
which is against statewide prohibition,
presents a splendid opportunity for
Republican Governor 10 ride into office
on the wave Of statewide prohibition.
But again. Is not the object of the
Anti-Saloon League 20 abolish the saloon
from The State: If this can be done by
single act Of the Legislature or by a
state wide election, why should there be
any opposition:
Why is it thought necessary. or. even
eXpedient, that this question should be
settled by the town, city or district,
when 1t is the only question of state
wide interest and importance that is not
placed before the Legislature?
The Legislators are elected by the
people 70 serve the people. Am I mis-
taken when I say that the very purpose
of Legislature is to relieve the people
OF the necessity of considering and vot-
ins upon the laws by which their in
terests are 20 be protected and advanced?
Another very important reason why the
Anti-SaloOn League should not make
the mistake Of opposing statewide pro-
hibitiOn Is the uncertainty regarding the
constitutiOnality of the Ward law.
Many legal minds are Of the opinion
that this law Will not stand the test OF
the courts. Il not, then some of the
most important local option victories
secured in the past year will be lost; and
instead OF ninety per cent of the State
being dry, as now, it Will leave the State
with perhaps, barely seventy per cent
dry.
Can the An.i-SaloOn League afford to
assume such responsibility and ignore
such an opportunity to put the State in
the column of Prohibition States?
The ". T. c. L. has shown great
wisdom and skill in the past, in hand
ling this question of prohibition; and we
believe she made no mistake in declar-
Ing for statewide prohibition. Y.