Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1910-01-26
The State Wide Question.

Until the liquor question is
settled by a statewide election in
Virginia there is going to be
turmoil; and, unless there is pro-
vision made against recurrence
OF a statewide vote except by a
large part OF the voters petition
ing for such an election, or setting
time in which such an election.
may again come, there isgoing to
continue to be turmoil and such
wrought-up conditions that will
mean injury to business and state.
This paper believes that the call
for 4 statewide election on the
liquor question should be placed
before the legislature in sufficient
strength 10 show cause for an cleo
ton call. We believe that such an
election should come. if that call is
sufficiently strong through the
petitions now being circulated, at
the earliest possible date. Only in
thiS way will the distressing dis
iurbsnceS cease. We believe that
t9c question be put before the en-
ure voting populace of Virginia.
for II concerns every man and is
no, party measure. 1t is not
only moral but also a business
and an economic movement, parti-
san only in the manner of support
and opposition: and that support
and opposition exists in the ranks
of all leading politicalparties.
We believe that If an election is
called, there sAold Toe "a provision
that another election cali cannot be
issued II az least five years. or
Without 8 certain percentage of the
vu,cr, enrolled. There are many
aho say. 20, Is a statewide election
IS held. that puts an end TO it; if
the state goes dry, dry 10 will stay
forever" How about the constitu-
iion. which is the supreme law of
the >tate-and the United States
constitution, aS well. Can't those
bee changed by the will of the
peopiei Virginians heard only
yesterday plea from the governor
eft their state for an amendment TO
the national constitution. 1t has
been only little less than decade
since Virginia itself secured a new
constitution through the will of the
people. In view ofsuch conditions,
Is II reasonable to say that an cleo
ton will be absolute, will be for all
time. 1t will be the part of wisdom
20 make provision that 3 vote of
the people shall say that another
election cannot he held with in a
certain period, say five years or
some period that may be agreed
upon as reasonable; and with a
certain percentage, say one-third.
of the electorate petitioning for an
election.
Should the "drys" win in state
election, there will be drawbacks.
The principal phases will come in
the shipment of liquor from wet
states into dry, but this may be
remedied before the present con-
gresS adjourns: and in the conduct
ing Of blind tigers or speakeasies:
or even in the insincerity of the
man who wants the state to be dry
yet keeps his own supply of liquor
always on hand. Especially would
the former two conditions exist.
But 1t will be simply up to- the
people TO say whether or not the
laws shall be obeyed. They may
say that in their state and local
elections.
There is, to any observer, lust
cause for a cry againt high cost of
living. There is also, as part and
rarcel or the cause of high living,
the liquor drinking that makes a
man such a beast that he cannot
/ perform a mans work in produc-
t'"n for his family and something
FIR his ncighbors. But there is no
Intention in this article to enlarge
upon this side of the question.
{ We are concerned in the state wide
question. 1t should be solved
reasonably and in order and in a
manner To set at rest the turmoil
thai nay arise from either side
Roanoke World.
Bet for coughs and colds is Kennedy
I Iaxafivo E.,vi - ,,, =, .s... "a