The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-08-14
CURRENTCOMMENT


Ahe SioSe OF the PrOlnbttfOn Campaign.
After several weeks OF the most strenuous
campaign ever witnessed In Texas the election
came off last Saturday. the s2d of the month.
On the face of the returns the ants barely
escaped humiliation at the polls. They saved
their precarious existence by about 5000 votes
out of a vote polled approxiuating $4,000.
in the beginning of their campaign they
claimed the State by 100000 majority, but
instead of making good that claim. they are
1etually swinging to the ragged edge of
1umiating defeat They have awakened to
40 fact that large majority of the best and
most influential people of the State have
pudiated the saloons They owe their almost
invisible tenure to further existence to fifty
or sixty thousand ignorant negroes and vicious
Mexicans Take that strength from them, and
they would be wiped out of legal existence
The local option territory. with but In
stances not only Remained true to prohibition.
but largely Increased the prohibition vote, prov
ing that the intelligent voters OF this section
are not only satisfied with their local eondi-
ton. but desire also to extend this condition
to the entire State Quite large number OF
anu-local option counties gave substantial ma
jorities for Statewide prohibition. The larger
cities OF the State proved a disappointment to
the ants, except san Antonio. Dallas county
paralyzed them. 1t came within about 500
FoLeS Ch wheeling into the uIy column, IQfI
Worth saved Tarrant county to them by about
$500 majority. McKennan county. IN which
Waco is located with It's wet vote, came within
less than fifty votes OF going dry. Austin
held its own, Houston reduced It's wet majority
and Beaumont received the shock of Its life.
Even Galveston showed signs of RIGHTEOUSNESS,
All In all, though the ants Seems to have
won, there are strong evidences that fraud
was practiced in certain sections In tho south
and southwestern sections Of the State. ~whase
tho negro and the foreign vote ia large. it is
alleged that thousands OF fraudulent poll taxes
We're paid by the ants. and they received tho
benefit Of this vote last Saturday. Other and
sundry Irregularities are justly charged against
them Our State executive committee will meet
July goth In the city OF Fort Worth and they
win thoroughly review the situation and IL
the ground IL deemed sufficient. contest will
be ordered and the matter Will be sfted in
the courts. Also. the Legislature. will meet In
called session next Monday. according TO the
announcement Of the Governor, and 1t Is prob
able that investigation of these matters viii
be ordered by that body. IL these inquiries
show fraud, then the question will he ad
Indicated by the courts In the meantime
counsel patience and moderation. Time viii
right the issues involved.
Weighing the question in all its bearings the
election. with Its apparently small adydn-
tage in favor Of tho antis, Is gratifying
and painfully Illuminating to them. They ae
knowledge that the outcome Is 10 all fntents
and purposes inglorious defeat, 1t has
pc aed their weakness. aroused public sentiment
as never before. and registered beyond doubt
the rapidly approaching doom of the saloon
In Texas, In its insignificant advantage on the
face CT the returns is seen the certain Gestruc-
ton OF the liquor power In this State. 1t stands
before Texas and the world to-day as In
/ stitrtoE condemned by puolfc sentiment md
despised by the multiplied thousands o. the
hest md women In the Commonwealth. 1t
! Is shorn Of its influence a disturbing
factor IN the domestic, the civil and the po.iti
cal life OF Texas, And whatever may ba the
result Of our committees work next Saturday
the fight to rid Texas of the saloons has re-
eejved ruch an impetus that the war on them
will continue with relentless fury. There VIII
be no cessation OF hostility. The black flag
VIII continue to wave over our advancing lines
/ We have had taste OF their blood, and moth
ing but their complete determination VIII salts
fly our demand. Two hundred and thlrty~iiNe
thousand OF the truest and noblest voting ra~
triots in Texas will continue to send the shout
down our lines with increasing volume: On with
! the battle!--Texas Advocate,