The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-02-04

inferred January ~, 1903. ut Richmond, Va
: tecond.eas, matter under act OF Congress O
iarch ). 1879.
FRIDAY. FEBRUARY 4, 1910.
THE .PoPULAR ELECTION" OF Tnt
.iNTI-sALOON LEAGUE.
The Anti-Saloon League desires The
1assage of a bill which WILL in effect
axe from the Legislature the right tc
5lake liquor laws and give over this
light to the people under the cap
,aincy, and upon the supported de-
aand, of the Anti Saloon League. II
7as reported yesterday that Senator
ftrode would introduce such n bill to-
3ay. This report, the Senator says,
3as not authorized by him. But the
ONT is UP now; an active contingent
sesires the Introduction and passage
f the special referendum bill; ii is
aeing assumed in high places that the
eople have right to vote upon
he liquor question; and it is worth
fhile for once. TO examine the Anti
taloon Leagues proposal with some
thoroughness
Now, of course. no right" belongs
9 the people of Virginia now to make
heir own liquor laws, or any other
inds of laws. That Special act of
extraordinary provisions must be
Aassed to give them this right in a
tarticular instance, conclusiyely proves
his. II any proof We're needed. De-
iberately, with open eyes, and of their
wn choice, the people long ago sur
iendered their legislative rights TO a
representative body selected BY them
elves. and now no such rights what
yer belong to them. OF course. this
process can be reversed 1t the peoples
secretion. They gave and they can
AXE away. As they voluntarily gave
yer all their Legislative powers to a
representative body. so they can call
this representative body to hand
hose powers back. AT thelr own good
leasurc the people can abolish the
tate Legislature. wipe out all gov
rnmental machinery. blow up the
itate Capitol and proceed to make
l heir own laws direct under the prod
inss of various specialized organiza-
ions powerful enough TO procure the
leqnired petition.
The principle OF the referendum is
no more sound IN one case than 1t is
n all. IL II Is right wise and de-
&'lrapie Tor lhe Legislature 10 abdlcate
(ts powers ana lay down It's respon-
ltotiities ~ one case On oeiiahd OF q
mai fraction OF the voters, 1t is
Bill WISE anu oeslraple for the Legis-
ga'ure 10 anolcate ana Jay down IN all
i'asee on d s1lhiiar demand. me prin-
sipie staiius VI iais us pfihclple'
she honest anu 2ealous anu-saloonists
.hihk mat the barring out OF the
aiooh Is the most important move
1'ehe no" petofe the people. but other
'ien. as true' as honest ana as we'll
deserving OIL the state as they think
T .Ae1l the teachlhg OIL agriculture in
'ur country schools is me most impor-
ant OF an Pubic movements, or the
t'sAS aus1'iii-ii's OF our highways. or the
I N.Y. ~ seiieht or town sanitation and
I'uoiic heaith ago eaeh Of these groups
e men WouH IKE FAR larger appro-
!. .'fta' iohs lof 'heif special work than
me Legislature would think of giving |
mem. II the anti-saloon group is
gwen the revolutionary right to carry
y specially over the heads of the
e islatufe TO the people, the same
isht shoutu De given TO all these other
srouPs OIL honest and devoted men. The
seiefehdum is no more right of the
'lohioltiohists than 1t is of the far
iiers. therefore we consider that If
ne Legislature thinks 1T proper to
~ oeiuc inns principle INTO the estab-
'shed governmental machinery of the
pa ee' ~ should NOT DO SO IN any mani
So -s'ued OF partisan spirit. 1t
uouiu enact q law authorizing the
oi popular elections on all
u ave questiohs--hot SIMPLY on
ne ste'iaiS favored question-when-