Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-01-19
STEP RECOMMENDED
TOO MILD FOR SOME
Measure Calls for the Passage Of an
Act of the Legislature Allowing
the Voters to Call Election When
ever One Fourth of Qualified Elec-
tors Make Demand.

KlOt MOND, "a, JAN TO-. EhO""
ocning the policy of local option TO
which the Anti-saloOn League OF Nlr-
ginia has held for a number of years
and under which the greater part OF
Virginia has become dry" territory,
the legislative committee reported to-
night to the ninth annual convention
of the Anti-saloon League of Vlr-
ginia in favor of a State law. which
viii provide for a State option
While not contemplating an i'm
mediate election or the submission OF
the question Of State wide prohibition
by the legislature, the report calls
for the passage of an act which Will
allow the voters of the State to call
an election on the question OF State
wide prohibition whenever enc fourth
of the qualified voters may demand
such an election.
Report Too Moderate.
In his annual address, President
Henry Pearce Atkins took the ground
tonight that the time had come for a
forward step. There was not lacking
signs in the meeting. from the APP
plause which broke forth, despite the
request Of the pastor Of the church.
that the report of the committee Is
too moderate, and that there is
large element prepared to force %
fight on an immediate Statewide is
sue at all costs. Each of the leaders
of the convention seemed ITO realize
that fact.
Dr. Hatcher. who conducted the
opening devotional exercises, prayed
earnestly that the body might be
swept by fire" and Governor elect
Mann, in a thoughtful and well pre-
pared review Cf~the liquor question in
Virginia, openl Unsupported the report
Of the committee. The goverRor-elect
argued that no Statewide issue
should be made until the league is As
sured of the support of a strong pub
lie sentiment. rather than to be ad-
vance CT such a sentiment. For him
self. he repeated, that he still be-
lieved in the local option method as
calculated to produce the best results
Yet, asserted that if a Statewide cleo
ton were held he personally would
vote dry
Probable Amendment.
The report Of the Legislative COM
mittee presented tonight by Rev. Jas
Cannon, ID d., superintendent of the
league. was not generally discussed
nor was it further commented on. be-
ing left over for general debate and
POSSIBLE amendment tomorrow morn
ing.
Following its reading the conyen-
ton heard an able address on the sub
ject Of temperance by Hon. John G.
Woolry, now of Honolulu. who, In
dramatic and picturesque terms. pic
:ured the evils Of drunkenness and the
responsibility of both church and citi-
zen, to drive from the country all
.ega!ized forms of beverage drinking
The registration, which continued
until late hour tonight, showed that
this would be one of the most largely
attended meetings the Anti-saloon
League of virginia has ever held. The
main floor Of the great Broad street
Methodist church was taxed TO its
capacity and the galleries were lined
with eager listeners. Though the ad-
dresses lasted until nearly midnight.
no ere left the house
=. Report Of Committee.
The report o. the committee In part
follows:
The aim Of all restrictive and pro-
hibitory legislation concerning the IL
oror traffic is the salvation Of the
invididual and the protection Of so
c;ciy. The root evil Of the traiiic
Ice in the fact that Il is trafi1c
in intoxicsnts. in that which has IN II
the power 10 rob he individual o.
his reason. to blunt his affection. to
destroy his self-control. to damn MIN
for time and eternity and to make
the individual a sorrow. oftentimes IN
decd a terror 10 his wife and chill
drcn. and a menace to the prosperity
happiness and personal safely Of ne
fellow m n. thar Is a society At lar2e
Anv view Of the subject that takes N
oniy the so-cslied personal liberty
of the individual to drink liquor 10
~ comfort Is q iamcntsbly partial
sr5 makes light Of the terrible result
to the individual 80 likely 70 follow
tho drinking Of liquor 70 ones com-
fort. aud in addition utterly ignores