The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-02-17

Statewide prohibition and local op-
ton joined battle yesterday at the
Capitol, when small army of advo-
Gates of both sides appeared before
the Senate and House Committees on
Privileges and Elections to wage |,
war of words over the Strobe state
wide prohibition bill. From all parts
of the state came adherents and allies.
overlooking the State Corporation
Commission room, packing the nan OF
the senate. and finally filling in the
afternoon the House forum ~ NUMBER
of women were present
The hearing was presided over by
Senator Sale, chairman OF the Senate
Committee on Privileges and Elections.
rev. James Cannon. Jr.. presented the
sneakers on the prohibition side. whlte
S +. Kelley introduced those OF Inc
opposing wing.
The patron of the bill. Senator
| strobe. opened the case for state
| wide prohibition. The prime object OF
! his bill. he asserted. is to give the
| people OF the State an opportunity 10
say whether they approve the leglsla-
tive policy of local option OF state
| wide unity"
II this is not done now, he said, two
wears hence the Legislature will re-
! turn with majority instructed either
| Ia vote for Statewide prohibition or
I; 10 submit ii to the people. He feared
that il submission of the question to
! the people were deferred two years
manv unqualified and negro voters
would he put OH the registration books
inst to vote on this special question.
avoid bitter Conflict.
"a direct referendum now" he said,
would avoid the bitterness Of a con-
| test that can now hardly be estimated.
/ Now is the time to decide the policy OF
the state in this matter. The principe
of the referendum is not foreign 70
Virginia: it is recognized in the fact
that no amendment to the Constitution
can he PASSED, except 1t be referred to
the neople for their approval"
4 His bill, he pointed out. provides that
when the people arrive at tho point
Of voting they shall have a clear un-
derstandins OF the result. II a ma
sor,tv vote "license'' the same condi-
lions that prevailed on the day OF the
election would be In force. but u
maioritv voted mo license then the
4 bill would so into effect
" In case the proposed eiectloh ss'a az
,,shaa statewide prohibition the
LIQUOR dealers would be given 1 ..a;,.
nnable time In which to close up their
u,a;ness. he held. He was willing TO
,ra,,,de that the law should not TAKE
arfo.t- until six months after It's pas
. sage. ro,.;a;ne. IL
a,,nr tor medicinal purposes, he ue-
c,a,e1 that while he knew It would ne
cr,ticized the bill would have been
cr,t,cized even more had this proVl-
/. sion been left out.
Cuts Iuto States Revenue.
whether or not the State should s've
l IL, the tax from the LIQUOR business
5 expected this year to amount TO soVo''
{ 900 or 100000. he thought a r'ops.
t question for the people To- decide =
the people express their Willingness t
, cut or revenue rram that source. they
likewise express their WILLINGNESS =
have that amount OF revenue RAISED
from some other source.
Delegate Myers. patron OF the bill II
{ the House. approved the bill. but de-
sired tn put in an amendment restrict
: Ing it's provision as to cider
Rev e. w Berrpman. of Norfolk
, said that tho question Was one for the
people TO decide The chief question
lie said is. "Is It Just
william j. ilelms. of Newport News
, said thar the liquor question Is more
momentous than the war, because y
Ia stain more people. moro costly
,han tho state debt. because 1t cost
i move move .-lf the Democratic party falls
:. take hold of it, he said, the Re-
nnhIicans may embody 1T In sheir PLAY
a form next time 90,
I'VE are going to keep on asking TOT
\ the privilege OF voting declared tiev
George w. HAY. or Norf"lk, and We
shau get it. The question has ALREADY
! settled ITSELF
Opposition Argues It's Gaze.
me prohibitionjsts having exhaust
al their time. G, S. Williams, of Alex
amlria said that IL the hill haeame law
tho commercial interests at thnt CITY
would suffer tremendously. There i
: large brewery in that place, as wei