The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-02-11

sion that the AntiSaloon League is not fair because
it does not propose such vote. Let us put aside
this scarecrow. 1t deceves nobody who stops to
think which, apparently the Times Dispatch has
not done, IT would not continue to Use 1t.
The issue before the General Assembly of Nr-
gInia is simply Will that body give to the people Of
Virginia the right to vote upon the one question:
Shall the local option law be the law of Virginia in
dealing with the liquor question, shall the local
8 option law be superseded by a Statewide law
There is nothing difficult in the question. nothing
to cause the agonizing throes OF the Times-Dis
patch; nothing to justify its use OF laundering rhct-
s4efic. 1t is simply plain question OF fact.
q T. The method OF local option was adopted by the
State OF Virginia only after strenuous efforts the
part Of the temperance leaders. 1t was bitterly
fought BY many leaders of the Democratic party
as slnpuary legislation, the taking away OF the
personal liberty of the individual The temperance
people rolled up petition with seventy thousand
names upon il into the legislative halls and the pc
tition was denied But at this time the two polt-
ica parties were nearly evenly balanced 10 voting
strength, and when the political conventions met
and The temperance people appealed FOR reeogni-
ton III the party platform both parties promised to
pass local option bill, and the matter was set
tied That was very little more than quarter OF a
century ago The method OF local option was not
accepted and proclaimed by the liqour papers as
the sound, just and proper way to deal with the
problem" 1t was denounced and bitterly fought,
but it finail. adopted the law OF the State.
= Why should there be proposal to change the
Iaw2 Are not the temperance people rrevocably
bound to this law by the action of their fathers a
quarter OF a century ago. The Times Dispatch SO
declares and puts forth this bit Of sophiscai stuff:
If local on;i0a is the right way to deal with the
liquor problem, then State prohibition cannot be,
cad i LEGAL option IS not tie right way 20 deal with
fhe iq1or problem ther never was and the assur-
snec that it was contained in the existing law, vas
esther legislative disqualification, hollow
prstcnce maintained for time TO cloak an Interior
design"
Ard nc paper that prints this bit of nfantle
dognsatsm arrosac. to itself the title Of Supreme
in Virginia" This either brands the paper a
inosshack OF The most antique design, or as attempt
ing 10 deceive the people.
Oar fathers enacted law. They honestly
thought it % he the solution OF the question. But
after the Jaw has been given fair test it is evident
that TIE purpo@e OF the law is being violated. HE
dry" territory oannct enter into the wet terri
tory ard nuilfy its will but the wet territory can
enter into the dry territory and nuliity its will,
ard the local option Of a town be rid OF the i'll
effects of drunkenness is nued by the persistent
and aggressive efforts OF the liquor traffic, entrenched
in the towns and cities, to flood the dry territory
with liquor. he towns and cities become menace
to the rest OF the State, and for the sake OF large
revenue nulliiy the will OF the surrounding country,
whicS will is not TO prevent any man from drink
Ing liquor to his own comfort which is the avorite
5iosdH oi tne iilee-i1isPdteh Dut 10 prevent men
IRON drinking liquor TO the discomfort OF their
ncighbors. The object of the dry communities is
not simply prevent the sale of liquor, to pre-
vent from drinking liquor. The object is to
prevent the drunkenness and misery and crime which
come from the sale and drinking of liquor. Viewed
from this standpoint after experience of twenty
4 five years the temperance people find that while
the people of three-fourths OF the State have de-
ciared that they want be rid of drunkenness and
3 the fruits OF drunkenness, the people in certain
Towns and cities for the sake OF the revenue are I'M
willing 70 give up the liquor traffic and by the regis
tration OF the debased and ignorant element among
tho negroes able overcome the vote of the c-
zen opposed 10 the saloon. This fact has been so
xieafiy brought out within the last twelve months
that the issue IS NOW perfectly plain The will OF
hreeourths OF the State is being nulified by towns