Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-12-08
THE viRolNiAN's EXPLANATION
Of IT'S ATTITUDE.

Addressing itself to The Vireinian-
Pilot and "other pro-conyention adyo-
Gates" the Richmond Virginian, in a
iwo-column editorial. explains its atti-
Jude as an opponent of the proposal
that 4 Democratic State convention
he held. In brief The Virginian's at
tituda Is what II always has been.
ins;s ing thar the liquor question Is
a moral issue. with which no politt
cal marty has anything TO do, and be-
lloying that IL a Democratic conven-
ton is held il will declare for or
against Statewide prohibition, The
yirginian protests against any at
tempt 10 have the party undertake to
control the consciences" of its mem
hers. Moreover. the paper expresses
the fear that the opponents of State
wide prohibition would control a con-
vention. through their superior knowl-
edge of the game of politics.
This paper. for one, had not misun-
ders,ood The Virginian's position In
this matter Rev James Cannon.
Ir., superintendent of the Anti-Saloon
League, is lighting for Statewide pro
hibitinn. The league, dominated by
Dr Cannon. has called upon its ad.
herents TO vote for legislative candi.
dates who are sound" on this ques-
ton. regardless OF party affiliations.
IN other words. the league has said
10 it's followers. IF the Democratic
nominee is not sound and the Repubii-
can is, vote for the Republican"
Therefore DR.. Cannon Wallis no Dem
ocratic convention, unless he can be
assured in advance that a majority OF
the delegates will favor either a
declaration in favor of Statewide pro
hibition or no declaration on the sub
jet at all. And since DR.. Cannon is
supposed to dictate the policy OF The
Virginian just as he dominates that
CT the Anti-Saioon League, the atti-
tuce of the Virginian in this regard
was to be taken for granted
This paper Is one OF the other pro-
convention advocates IL believes
that the convention should be held for
various reasons. not the least of which
being what il regards - the desira
bility of having the Democratic party
again declare its position on the IL
qGor question. With Dr. Cannon and
mis- followers giving warning that they
are going to vote In the next iegisla-
tive elections without regard to polit-
ical affiliations. 10 seems 20 us essen
tial that the Democratic nominees go
into the election with regular party
platform. The dominant party is re.
sponsib.e for LEGISLATION in Virginia
and il is proper that the Democratic
party's candidates for the assembly
30 before the people with q definite
statsment Of the psrty's position on
important current Issues.
In tie last gubernaiOriai primary
campaign Dr. Csn,nn ana the Anti
Saloon League Thought It was proper
to demand tina; the taree candidates
state heir positions 0a the liquor
questions. knowing IN advance what
soa;d be the answer OF the candidate
they were advocating Thus tney
practically forced a party declaration
o. policy. because. IN the alb
sence ef platform adopte1
in convention. the platform Of the sue
cessfai candidate for the gube-na;o
rial uomiEation became the platform
NJ the party. Had their policy at thai
tire been in line with the course the,
advocate today. they would have sup
ported the Republican nominee fol
governor in the event the platform .
the Democratic nominee failed 70 con
form 20 their iceas. And YET Ne arr
toIc - Dr. Cannon through the Var
finfar and otherwise that a politics
parry sa< no rixhi 70 Jake posiiiol
% fhe EQroF DIGESTION.
Dn se mus remember ihst IN N
er5ernasorisi primary Dr. Cannon an
re ~ Saloon LEAGUE were local OF
tLe15e,- sal rere supporting Dr car