The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-03-16
EDITO RIAL
Where are the 4,seo1

The reference of Mr.. Folkes, one Of the Senators
from the city of Richmond to the 20. 600 Bible Class
Men" mot Bible Mem seems likely to furnish so-
gan. or il that repudiated word be offensive
4 rallyine cry, for an approaching con-
flict. Whatever may have been the meaning
or the purpose OF Mr. Folkes, his remarks
have been taken gage OF battle thrown down
in the Senate of Virginia to the temperance people
Of Richmond by a Senator of this city Whether
In his utterances, Mr.. Folkes represents anybody
but himself, whether he expressed the sentiments
of the liquor traffic and its political supporters in
Richmond is not a matter OF any special moment.
The personality of Mr.. Folkes is not the question
of importance. The real question is Where are
the 4,0009"
Are they on the registration books Of the city?
The liquor interests to it that the poll taxes OF
the buns and the hoodiums, and the porters. and
the walters, connected with the liquor shipping
houses, and the saloons, and the restaurants, are
all paid up, so that they m be voted to elect
councilmen, aldermen, de- and senators who
will favor the liquor traffic nat about the 1000
men who marched in the BiLie classes to the Audi
forum last year? What about the thousands who
attended the Chapman Alexander meetings last
Year, What about the men who filled the Academy
Of Music, about two weeks ago? Are their names
on the registration books,
About year ago there was meeting IN the
Academy of Music, the slogan 1--WE beg pardon OF
the Supreme Of which meeting, as set forth by
the three then existing newspapers in the CITY, was
meant, do not disturb the right of every man to
place where he can drink liquor to his comfort.
The public was also informed that Personal Lib
erty League had been formed, composed OF 5000
Thirsty Men, who had banded themselves together
to defend their right to drink liquor to their COM
fort These men, we were informed. were banded to-
pether to fight for the saloon. Where do the 1000
stand on the question: Are they set to defend the
liquor traffic, to protect the boys and girls, the
homes and firesdes OF the city?
The columns OF the Supreme and OF the
News-Leader and OF the Journal (thc latter
somewhat feebly) have since January first,
resounded with the praise of Local Option. State
wide Prohibition has been denounced as undemo-
cratic, and majority of the Senate OF Virginia
have denied to the people the right to vote the
question of State Option versus Local Option. So
for years longer the Local Option method is the
only method of handling the liquor question in Vir-
ginia Where are the 1000 men standing on the
question of Local Option election? Are they
ready to meet the issue? The Supreme" believes
in that method, and the News-Leader, and the
Journal are singing the same tune. OF course they
viii not oppose the calling of such an election
The whole matter lies with the 1900 men. VIII
they pick up the gage of battle that has been THROWN
DOWN
All honor to Rev. j. D. McAlister and Rev. Fl
ID. Maclachan for their utteranccs on this question
The Nirginian Joins in the call and asks Where are
the 4 900? Where do they stand on this question
Will they accept the challenge and enter the lists
against HE saloon, will they remain silent, while
the Liquor traffic destroys their children