The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-09-03
THE PEOPLES FORUM
Editor of The Virginian:

Editor The Virgnian:
Sir am writing in behalf of the cause of State
"ide prohibition, because | have recently become "A
convert to that view the question ana hope INV
experience may influence others
s i nave believed in licensing the sale of alcoholic
thew desired tber9 No 49, o'!o s4Ne thein II
license, small number of saloons to population early
closing hours and proof of suitable character by the
applicant for license.
The of the Mann law in Virginia ana thu
WARD Ia" IN North Carolina has been all that
necessary TO convert State wide prohbitionist
for reason that no-license the rural districts
has reduced crime. taken away from thousands the
opportunity keep soaked and 10 get drunk shut
up bar-rooms (which every candid man who knows
them viii acknowledge incubators of vice and
towns, ''
am quite familiar with conditions in Virginia North
Carolina. South Carolina and Georgia, know that
no-fcense has done good in those reducing
the quantity Of alcoholic drinks used the amount
of drunkenness.
In the Caronas and Georgia the absence alcoholic
drinks has made reliable aborers of thousands of
ana am certain that but for that the great
of the past few years could have been made.
The community in which ! sojourning furnishes
a me example OF the good done by no-iicense in
rural community in Virginia AT railroad station
there was always one bar-room and part the time
two. This village stunned by neighborhood wo-
drunken hanging around. sale of alcoholic
drinks made other disgraceful conditions which /
depot-quarreling and fighting were continuous. The
writer carried business there a while -Four
men, who took sub contracts were given
to spreeing and when needed laborers they
drunk TO work.
Now what change Women drive to the village
alohe. DRINKS and labor is reliable
The conditions prevailed in a hamlet three
miles from the depot, where there bar-room
and the good results prohibition
at the depot
The county is divided by a high mountain range
The section write about is in the valley; the
courthouse is in the western valley, Since the bar
rooms were closed nobody In valley treaty.. in the
whole eastern sectionl viii have the office OF
be-not enough fees to pay
Another instance OF the OF the Mann law Is
reported to by friend, who is a railroad track
and bridge supervisor. His section road about
forty miles, is partly In city where there is license
and he finds the country laborers than
those living in the city, and attributes the
that the country cannot get whiskey. He saws
that great difference is between the city and
days in getting drunk and the country coming
regularly work. That gentleman favors Statewide
prohibition.
Having been selling goods the the nine
just passed. have been thrown with men my
kind and have great decrease in drunkenness
among them.
In the past four Ave years have had several ex-
periences such this: Being in hotels in dry"
ritory have invited many a half dozen men
my to have drink OF whiskey and had them
decline the invitation after another
My observation of people since the four States
toned have become entirely in part prohibition has
taught me that prohibition does prohibit
Very respectfully. PAW