The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-03-02

Il
respect the League as an organi-
cation because we believe that a
majority Of Its members are, &C
tuated by good and worthy mo-
tives. We regret therefore that
their cause has been injured.
as it undoubtedly has, by the in
tolerant actions and utteranceS
of few leaders. Intolerance
toward those not holding exactly
the same views never vet helped
advance the cause of individual
or .orginizlton. t7.>
Such a spirit of intolerance was
plainly shown at the late conven-
ton i'll Newport Ne US when ali
newspapers not advocating pro-
hibition were condemned as sub
sides Of the liquor interests and
Governor Mann severely criticized
for not securing the passage of
the Strobe Bill. No allowance
was made by the League for the
fact that at least some of the
newspapers voiced their honest
convictions. opinions that they
had as much right to hold and
to sustain as did members Ct the
League to contrary ones. Not
for an instant was the fact con-
sidered that the man picked out
for criticism was one who had
done more for the cause of tenn
, perance than any other in the
state; that he had been elected
on a local option platform and
had pledged himself to sign such
a bill when passed. not to force
its passage. We are glad that
the Governor saw fit to reply to
this criticism and TO know that
his reply was approved by the
League and keenly felt by his &C
cusors.
The League at the same Ses-
sion declared for statewide pro
hibitlon and will proceed TO work
for the passage Of an enabling act
which will give the people an,
opportunity to vote on this issue.
When this election is held. which
it will eventually be. we are con
strained TO believe that the state
will go dry and time alone will
prove the wisdom or the folly of
the change. If it curtails the
ruinous effect Of the liquor habit
the writer will rejoice but he is of
the opinion that prohibition only
prohibits whenit has the approval
and support of the community IN
which it is 10 be enforced, a con
dition that is more logically Sc
curedthrough the medium of local
option. a typical illustration of
the old Democratic doctrine Of
local self government.
The new railroad from Hamp
ton to Fredericksburg seems to
oe on the boom. Prominent
citizens of the upper counties
are working hard for its establish
ment, cons picious among them
being MIR. w. ]. Burlee. an excee
dinghy live citizen of Gloucester.
The city press also have given
it several good write-ups and all
things seem ind ictive of its sue
cess.
The project has our best wishes.
but we can not help feeling slight
ed by the failure of all parties to
mention our own county IN con
nection with the enterprise. 1t
seems to us that the promoters
sh ould consider the people here
and their products, of sufficient
importance to justify at least a
branch-road. Certainly IF King
and Queen and Essex with due
apologies to both) can give
Company sufficient business to
justify railroad. Mathews can.
We trust that the railroad people
will consider the business of our
little county worth considering
and that the people Of this county
will see that it is brought to their
attention.
The many beautiful tributes
paid Senator Daniel in the Senate
last week did only justice to his
SUI urb character as a man and