The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-08-01
Mr.. BRYAN on County OPTION

First County option ought to endorsed because
it is right. distinction should be drawn between
county option and the closing of saloons in any par
ticular county. The question Is whether saloons
shall exist in this that county but whether the peo
pie OF the county shall have the right decide ques
tons affecting the saloon, Either the majority the
minority must control II the majority OF the people OF
the county have right TO decide the saloon ques
ton for the then the minority of the people of
the county have the right 10 control on this subject
This is hot question 1t has appeared all
through history and not infreauently the few have
controlled as against the many Ihere nave been many
forms OF government in which the rights OF the ma,
the few has based force. in other
money Shall we now recognize new oligarehy based
beer? Are to have an aristooracy of appetite.
which is to determine the saloon question for u.s. Inc
Democratic party more champion this new
form of aristocracy than 1t could the Older forms
Democrats may differ as to the wisdom OF any par
ticular measure proposed in county, but can Demo
Gratis differ as to the right Of the majority to act on
this subject?
BY what logic shah distinguish between the right
OF the people Of city to act upon the hquor qnes
tion. the right the people of precinct the
people Of a county people of state? County OPP
ton simply recognizes the right of the people OF a
county speak this subject the people of the
town city speak and the people of the state
have the undoubted right TO speak When the right
of the people Of county TO this question is
recognized in this State it is in many other states
the people of each county can be trusted to consider
the subject and TO act il according to the con-
dtons to be met
Second, The County option Democrats who
ddates in the various senatorial and representative
entitled the support OF the state organ
ization the help which they win derive from the
stand for it as legislative candidates entitled
the which platform declaration would give
them. They certainly have a right to ask that the
party in the state will not rehuke them openly by
declaration against county option Indirectly by an
evasion of the subject.
Third The conditions which confront US In this state
at this time require immediate action. The conspiracy
which has been formed between the liquor interests
continue until it is overthrown More than that, 1t will
grow stronger and arrogant with each victory.
It be defed and defeated some time and 1t will
he eier IN do
In 1908 1t is spending money now and 1t
will politics until Its power is brok
en- Then. too have presidential campaign two
wears hence and while national issues ought to be
paramount In present state campaign 1t will be
still more important that they shall be paramount In
1912 Now ia the time for action. There are other
be given and other legislation this
subject that ought be considered but shall discuss
them within few days,
In taking up this subject am fully Of the
strength of opposition that shall encounter. We
against the liquor interests OF the nation and
corporations of the state their
allies Our opponents supplied with an abundance
of money, they INSCRIPTIONS as to methods and
able deceive great many voters through the news
papers which they control But have an abiding faith
in the intelligence and in the integrity OF the rank and
file of our party and these | appeal / a
candidate any Office desire nothing at the hands
of INV co-workers: they already rewarded far
beyond my deserts and am indebted to them for
whatever influence have. This influence. whether
81 he much or little, regard sacred trust, and
shall their interest according to the light that
have / am that great many of those who
from me on this question have no personal in
terest the liquor trHffc and no sympathy with It's
debauchery the home society. and the state.
shall not allow difference this subject to make
me forget the support which they have given In
na st campaigns I shall do my duty in this
pasn as tried to do It before, and believe it
10 be my duty citizen and Democrat to do
all In nv power the Democratic party from the
domination of the liquor interests and their allies
w. J. BRYAN