The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-11
In opposition to the program OF the
Anu-Saloon League.
QuestiOns Asked

In opposition to the program of the
Anu-Saloon League
Questions Asked.
The questions asked in the Ledman
letter are as follows:
FIRST. In the event bill is intro
duced In the General Assembly re-
stricting the privilege granted in ltuuor
liquors in those places only wh.ro
licenses can be legally granted. and to
the shipment of intoxicating liquors
to those parts only where licenses
nave already been granted. thus car.
rying out the principle Of the local op-
ton law to It's logical conclus,en
and thus preventing the nullihca-ion
of tho expressed will of the people,
VIII you. or will you not. ,ots Tor
such btll3
"second- In the event bill Is Pre-.
sented providing for an nsb!ing sot
which will authorize the holding Of
an election upon the question OF q
Statewide prohihitory law, whenever
said election Is demanded by 25 per
cent. OF tho qualified vot,rs OF the,
State. will you. or will you not. in ruoh
an event vote for such a bill?
Feeling sure that you will agree
with us that statement from YOU
setting forth your views on the abov o
questions. is entirely reasonabla. AMI
hoping 70 have very early reply. We
are. most respectfully"
Toney Is Democrat.
The replies made yesterday to Mr.
Lehman are as follows:
Richmond. Va. August 10. 1911
Mr.. s. L Lehman, Richmond:
Dear sir,-Your favor OF the sth
inst. mailed 10 me on the 9Th. is re-
ceived and contents noted. 1 heartily
agree with you in the assertion, that
every candidate for public Office ought
TO be willing to give to his consti-
tuency his views on public questions
questions of public import"
/ desire to state that l have bcen q
Democrat ali OF my life. and have
abided by the Democratic platform. I
believe that the t!me-honored pr!n-
ciple OF Democracy. local option" is
the best solution OF the liquor cues
ton. allowing each community TO gov
ern itself. This question has been
discussed time and again in our con-
vention by very able leaders, and their
decisions have invariably been favor
able to local option" so much so that
Il was embodied into our platform and
stlll remains. Therefore. being a can
didate upon the Democratic platform,
subject to its primary. ! respectfully
decline to pledge my support to eth
CT proposition Dill as set IOTth IN
the petition accompanying your letter
Very respectfully, etc,
(Signed) d. l. TONEY.
FolIles In Opposition.
would vote against both PROPOSE
tions II elected to the General Assem-
bly,. Against the first for the reason
that II the people in dry" territory.
who want liquor. will buy liquor. they
have as much right to have the same
shipped to them from Richmond and
Petersburg as Baltimore and Wash
ington.
am opposed to the second PROPOSE
ton because the policy of local option
seems TO be best. and the party con-
ventions of the party. whose nominee
l am for the Senate. have declared IN
all its conventions for many years for
local option" 1 see no reason why
/ should bolt" ths party on this doc
trine. and will not do So
With great respect for the signers
of these two propositions. I am.
Yours respectfully. etc,
(Signed) e c. FOLkES.
Mr. Cox's Position.
I am in receipt of your letter OF
August S. with Enclosure.
You desire TO know how I would
vote upon certain questions IL I vera
elected TO the House of Delegates
from the city OF Richmond.
Your first inquiry Is (here the query
as to shipment of liquor into local OPP
ton territory is repeated).
My answer to this inquiry is that I
would vote against such bill. Until
Congress acts upon this matter any
legislation by the State would be of
no effect and would deprive the State
authorities of such control of the bust
ness as they may now or hereafter
have.
Your next question is as follows
(here the query as to the Statewide
enabling act is repeatedly.
My reply to this is that would
vote against such measure have
always stood for the principle of local
option. The proposed bill is opposed
to this principle and is certainly CON
trary to the spirit of our present State
Constitutions; and, assuredly. in tho
present condition OF the finances of
the state, no person can so vote. For
this act TO be effective there must be
attached thereto some condition as to
raising the revenue of which the State
would be thus deprived. and you do
not Indicate upon whom or where this
burden would -all.
In addition to these reasons I am
running as a Democrat subject to q
Democratic primary. and the last plat
form of the party declares for the
principle of local option
Yours truly etc.
(SiSned) EDWIN P. cox.