The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-02-06

the patron OF the bill would be, though
a few days ago Senator Strobe adj
mitted that he had been considering
whether he would introduce the bill. 1t
has been commonly understood that
he has been in consultation with the
authorities of the Anti-Saloon League.
though he himself drew the measure.
After some debate President Ellyson
at yesterdays session of tha Senate
ordered the bill to be referred to the
Committee On Privileges and Elections.
rather than to the Committee on Courts
of Justice, of which Senator Strobe is
a member. Opinion was divided yes
terday as TO whether the bill would be
Weighted down with an unfayorabie
report or not. whils some yentured to
say that the bill would be buried In
the catacomb Of committee considera-
ton.
My. Strode's Statement.
Explanatory OF his connection with
the bill, Senator STROBE gave out the
following statement:
Those familiar with the general
trend of sentiment in Virginia, outside
of the city OF Richmond, will, l think,
agree with me that the submission OF
the issue as to whether the present
policy OF local option In dealing with
1.-THE liquor question shall be displaced
/ by Statewide prohibition Is inevitable,
and that, too. at no distant date.
Indeed, whether we wish it or not,
this issue Is already upon US. and pro-
crastination can be fruitful of no re-
suit save continuance of tho veXins
agitation, which will continue to OBJ
scure and disturb the consideration OF
other important questions until 1t Is
disposed Of, and the sooner 1t is got
ten behind us and out of the way the
| better.
In this state of the case 1t has
seemed to me best that the way should
now be made clear for the people to
pass directly upon this question when
a substantial proportion OF them shall!
| so desire, and 1t would appear not un-
reasonable to RECOGNIZES the demand OF
the same proportion of tho voters OF
| the whole State that by the local OPP
! ton law in force for more than q
quarter Of century may now secure
| such an election for any locality. As
to this question the principle OF the
referendum Is thus not new In Wiz.
ginia.
.Further ! have thought that il
voting on the question as to Whethe!
| the present local opS1pH PoA1SS VI
license In certain localities where the
people Of the locality wish 1t shall
| continue or whether license should bt
4 forbidden throughout the State, which
lis the real question at issue, the vot
ers should have clearly before then
4 the legal conditions that will exist
/ subject, OF course, to future change b,
4 the Legislature, should they vot'
against license, and that this Issue
should not be submitted at an election
when offices are to be flled, thus Sc
curing fair decision, uncompltcatet
with other issues and divorced iron
partisan political contests.
Again. it has seemed Important y
provide az far as possible against IN
flooding OF the registration books WIZ.
negro voters, In preparation for suei
an election, and at the Same time =
have a representative, full ana tal
electorate. )
with these ends in view l'have O
fered- the bill allowing such an else
ton and undertaking 70 provide nov
i. shall be called, held and condueteu
and upon what conditions liquors ma
be sold II a instantly shall vote agains