Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1910-03-30
STATE WIDE COMING.

almost entirely the opinion of the
COURIER that no power on eartl
could prevent Virginia from facing
Statewide Prohibition fight.
1t was our hope that the Legis-
lature would pass the enabling act.
so that the question could be
settled without coming into conflict
any other election, but the measure
was killed, and the State will now
suffer the consequences.
After giving a detailed history
of the fight for the enabling act,
the report says
Since the five days of fighting
in 1905 in the Senate on the Byrd
Bill, at which time ii was necessary
to amend several sections of the
bill in order TO secure its passage.
it has been realized that it would
be an exceedingly difficult, if not a
hopeless task, to secure any kind
of Statewide Law from the Senate.
and, therefore. while putting forth
our utmost endeavor and insisting
that the wishes of the people should
be regarded, your Committee l.
obliged TO state that the past record
of the Senate has been such that
the action finally taken should not
come as a great surprise to the
temperance people of the State. y
That is pretty warm shot at the
Senate, but it appears not entirely
undeserved. We have not been
able to appreciate any reason for
refusing TO pass the enabling act.
even though the Democratic policy
has been stated as committed en-
tirely to local option. The Demo
cratic organization has, for wears,
been admittedly the associate and
friend of the liquor interests, So
what else could you expect!
In forecasting the future action
of the League, the report says:
by this action ofthe General AS
sembly it will be necessary to carry
the fight into the election of the
next General Assembly, and then
the issue will become mixed with
personal and political issues. This
the League has always greatly
desired to avoid, but inasmuch as
this method has been thrust upon
us and there is no alternative, your
Committee urges upon those who
favor a Statewide Law the absolute
necessity of beginning the fight al
once and of continuing it until the
next General Assembly has been
elected. If the liquor interests
and theirsupporters are not willing
that this question shall be settled
apart from all other questions in
an election by itself, but insist that
it be mixed with personal and
political issues in the hope that
they may secure an advantage by
such a method, the temperance
people should fatty declare thai
they propose TO elect a Genera
Assembly that is sound on thi:
issue, regardless of personal anC
political affiliations.
The report is signed by James
Cannon, Jr., j. ID. McAlister, c.
+. Stuart, Jno. A. Taylor, j. w
Hough, K. 5. Barbour, w. H.
Vincent, +. j. Richardson. the
Legislative Committee of the Anti
Saloon League.
The COURIER wants to state now
so that thee will be no possihl,
future misunderstanding, that ",
unqualiti"j'y favor inStructing IA,
member %; 81" Srnate. who vii
soon bc e! e. Il. 30 vote for IN,
Slrnde c'i"Iii = act "a finali,
amende a'a make due provision
for an e. T. ~ Il time when n,
State of'ic ~'v bring chosen.
This Question can be settle,
alone, AMI e INK it should lee.
1t is c"nc I'd that the lex
Senator fr",n this District shall
come from Clarke county. 1t i
therefore only proper, we belle, e
that the CogRIER-representin:
Clarke cunlt.-should lead tn,
way.
We do not now, and never will
favor the - age cf a State wild
law by the Legislature. We be
Eeve it should be submitted to tn,
people for vote Then, if
mistake. il made. it Cannot be- lait
at the door of he Legislature.
We we're opp 5 q 30 the BA =,
Bill. or any other bill which. b,
legislative enactment. Interfere