The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-03-09

The strode-Meyers Bill in the House.

II The Strobe Movers enabling act when was ue
i feated in the senate last week, and which some oi
our contemporaries pronounced dead Is d'
not buried On the other hand 1t proved mNe,S
corpse in the House Tuesday, when Dr' n D
Myers asked that il be made the special order 'or
consideration Tuesday evening. The vote tdkeh
after only few remarks by the patron ana tie
statement of Mr. Oliver in objection, disclosed inc
fact that 10 out Of % members desired 10 'dNc y
up-a clear majority OF five. This majority Fo,e'
however did not succeed as under the rules Oh , w.
House teo-thirds vote is required 10 take plii
I'D out of its order But this was signh' am
vote disclosing the vrility OF the bill for aItei
the defeat in the Senate it was ireey predioteo 'lia
nothing further would be heard OF this OH at inc
N present session of the General Assembly ana !,
under ordinary circumstances this prediction would
have been fulfilled but the circumstances attendant
upon this measure are extraordinary.
Nothing that has been proposed at this session
has excited SO much interest this bill. More IMAM
IS 600 voters have petitioned the Legislature -
grant the people an opportunity to vote on ulG
question OF granting Of liquor licenses. None OF
the public hearings before the various committees
has drawn such crowds None of the legislation
not even the railroad hshas brought sllen q LOBBY
as both sides marshalicd on this question mere
arc rurnors of threats (which doubt OF political
cravevards and all of that sort OF thing some OF
the papers have ignored the question and adroit!y
tried to excite public interest III other measures
but despite their efforts the enabling act has hed
the centre of the stage Like Banquos ghost IL
will not down.
There arc many who believe that in some way the
leaders Of the Democratic party or at least some OF
them are responsible for much OF the opposition to
this very reasonable request OF the people ior the
privilege OF voting directly on this subject mere
are MANY people who believe that men III paDhc
life are afraid to meet their responsibilities Wheh
the liauor question is involved. The Senate Chating
under this sort of criticism acted wisely and bravery
In meeting the issue. The House can afford to 90
4 no less 1t is true that there measures OF I'M
portance to he considered by that body, as Delegate
Oliver observed 1t is that the time Is short
But il is not true that many measures are as I'M
portant as this measure. And 1t might economic
i tirnc for tho consideration OF other measures
time for the special consideration of this BILL and
to limit the debate within reasonable bounds, and
equally divide the time apportioned between the
friends and opponents OF the bill. and be done with
it. Indeed the decisive majority for special order
deserve consideration and VIC hope that the minority
will Yield their technical parliamentary advantage
and allow the bill to be considered Thus criticism
will be dsarmed III a measure and the House VII
assert the fortitude characteristic OF Nirginians
And, this, regardless OF the result. Men may not
be condemned for opinion or for its expression
Condemnation begins where courage tails. Whether
We agree with the conclusion OF the Senate on tins
matter or not. all must agree that the Senate
PROMPTLY lis responsibilities and Me repeat thai
4 the House afford to do no less
The House made mistake in not providing ol
n direct vote en this bill, This mistake shonle
now he corrected by prompt action. Let the bil
for which the people ali over the State have made
demand have vote directly on its merits.