The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-25
While they are securing Iowa for a bandit they
might also scour 1t for political reasons.
PEOPLES FORUM


The Dark Ways of the Liquor Dealers.
Editor of The Vlrglnian:
A few years ago the editor OF a liquor paper
published in Washington. ID. C.. who is also AN
experienced lobbyist, after hoasting that ths
liquor command 4.o0v,0VV votes,
which forms a sufficient balance of power to
change the political sway of the country to what
side 1t inclines." 1t goes on to tell political
parties how each may secure the support OF
the liquor power How long viii the American
people stand such insult as that. When a
county city goes dry the liquor people do
all in their power to violate the law and de-
feat the will of the people. by sending liquor
into the dry territory, often sending travelling
statesmen to encourage and foster speak
eases, then they raise a great howl that the
v.clations OF the law under the dry regime are
nlI nstrous evils. one of the whiskey drummers
from Il wholesale and retail firm In Richmond
came to King and Queen county about six
years ago, offering to sell iiquor to the people
His plan was to pretend to carry a line of
groceries and after running over his list he
would say: Il can send you some good whiske.
Ii you want it. One of my stewards was
merchant and he told how this drummer
offered TO send him whiskey. When local
option election held in Carolina county
about eight years ago, liquor firm in Rich
r,ond sent word to the temperance workers that
II the county went dry they would sell more
liquor there than ever We knew how sin
cero they were in making this threat for We
learned that this same firm wrote'to a barkeepel
in the county to know how much money he
could use to advantage In carrying the county
wet. Happily for the people, the constitutional
convention had just deprived the worthless
class-both white and colored, OF the right of
franchise, and the barkeeper had to write back
that there were no votes for sale. asd the county
went dry about three to one.
The liquor men will declare that the Anti
Saloon League is aiding their business and
quote all sorts OF statistics TO prove 1t, and
with the next breath they will give frantic
yell from their liquor organ as follows: ITO
the Trade: Enclosed under separate cover find
report of the Anti-Saloon League Convention.
carefully. I am confident, after reading. you
Will agree that time has come for action. Help
cfuse by signing enclosed slip and remit $3.50.
The legislative election takes place this fall.
BE sure and pay poll tax by April 20. and
that your friends are qualified. Con-
certed action Ia only hope OF preventing
the Anti-saioon League making this entire
State prohibitory
lSigned) I. h. HANCOCK, Secretary"
The above Is quotation from circular letter
sent out to the liquor trade from headquarters
few years ago.
to Mr.. John s. Huyler. wealthy Christian lay
man and philanthropist of New York. and said:
IF you do not stop talking about the evils OF
incompetence and aiding the temperance agen-
ces we will boycott your candy in every hotel
In the country Gentlemen" he said, Il do
not know how you could help better than
to declare such boycott would spend ont
hundred thousand dollars or a million. II neces-
sary. In advertising. ! am ready to begin
enjoy such q boycott" But they will go stiil
further to carry on their nefarious business. 1T
ID bad enough to entice the fun grown. but what
setting traps to catch the boys? At an annual
meeting Of the Ohio Liquor League fewsy years
ago. the president Of the league uttered the
following words, which are "brutally clear in
their imtentin:' THE success of business Ia
dependent largely upon the creation Of appetite
for drink. Men who drink liquor, like othera.
III die, and II there Ii new appetite created.
our Golfers will be empty. The open deld for
the crea,ion of this appetite Is among the boys.
After men have grown and their habits are
formed in this regard. they rarely ever change.
1t will be needful, therefore. that missionary
work be done among the boys, and make tho
suggestion. gentlemen that nickels spent In
treats to the boys now will return In doifars to
your tills after the appetite has been fernad,
Above all things create appetite" have quoted
the words "brutally clear In their intention"
from report OF THU convention AZ pubIished
ii. the Nashville Advocate. II any one con-
sders the language extreme II II gives offense
m "bandyfnE epithets' then most respect
fully ark. what language shall we use to char
acterize the action Of men who, for the sake OF
gain, deliberately entice boys to drink with
the hope that they Will become steady drinkers
II. Il. SMITH