The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-01-19

News responded to tho address of well
come, turning the laugh on the stately
WELCOME OF tho Mayor by telling how,
as Richmond boy, and son Of Judge
II. b. Wexford. he had once bought
n horse from Mayor Richardson, then
tho communicating Attorney. Mr..
Wexford silid that the convention was
but as individual churchmen, ,iiitram-
melod by ecclesiastical Affiliations.
The Presidents Report.
President Henry Pierce Atkins pre-.
scented lis annual report. telling of
past year. He especially defended
the work of tho Norfolk convention
OF last year. which. he said. had been
widely criticized for adjoining after
a somewhat spirited, If not stormy,
session. without declaring for state
wide prohibition. He said that events
had shown that no mistake had been
mfdo at Norfolk, as It had not been
shown then how far the league could
go under the principle Of local option.
Now. he held, the limitations OF that
policy have become more apparent.
The liquor interests, incvading dry
territory and multiplying the laws OF
those communities he went on are
forcing new measures on us. At this
time we have no political campaign
before us; and the issue. IL the issue
should be raised. will be clear-cut
and decisive. And If shat issue arise
within twelve months or In twenty
four it will not be because the Anti
Saloon League OF Virginia is unwilling
TO wage It's warfare according to Its
former policy. but because the soulless
liuuor interests of this Commonwealth
have precipitated the occasion which
makes a change OF policy absolutely
necessary"
The president said that the defeats
which had been met with of late IN
some sections were not reaction, put
only apparently So The organization,
he declared. had not enlisted for
battle, but for war. The Alabama
constitutional amendment had been
wropped up in local politics, 50 that
| 1t was not a square issue, the very
difficulty the Virginia league is SEEK
Ting to avoid, He confined: Here in
Virginia the area Of prohibition is
spreading with each succeeding Year.
The liquor business is being made
more and more disreputable. Brewers,
distillers and barkeepers are less and
less admired as members of society
to put 1T mildly" He concluded with
euuloSy of the work of the field SUI
perintendents of the league--Messrs
McAllister. Richardson, Stuart and
Taylor-who, with Superintendent
Cannon. he said. had made possible
the splendid report to be submitted
to-day for the year.
Address of Mr.. WooIcy.
John G. Wooley, of Honolulu q
leader in the Prohibition party in this
country. made an eloquent address on
the subject of temperance, arguing
for the responsibility of the individual
in the protection OF the weak He
painted lurid picture of the sin and
disgrace and effect of drunkenness
saying that the saloon which caused
such things was q part of the system
for which men voted or which they
had failed to vote against.
How far are You responsible for
| your citizenship" he asked. Every
drungen man is the victim OF civili-
! cation of which you are a part, You
| should measure up to that duty before
| you criticize the drunkard. You can't
prevent men getting drunk. but you
can prevent their getting drunk in