The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-11-17
SHOWS RESULTS
ARE PERMANENT
Alabama Man Tells of Prohi-
bitiOn Movement in the
South
READS PAPER BEFORE
MUNICIPAL LEAGUERS
Declares Near-Beer is Good
Substitute for Whiskey in
Georgia--Raps Gov
ernor Blease


| permanent and substantial results
have grown out of tho prohibition
movement, according to Mr. William
| IL. Thomas. OF Montgomery, Ala. who
| addressed the National Municipal
League yesterday on the 81 bject, The
Prohibition Movement in the South. u
! Following the reading Of Mr.
Thomas paper. which fairly bristled
with facts and figures On the prohi-
biuon question. the assembled dele
gates adjourned to meet at their last
Round Table luncheon of the con-
vention. which came to close late
yesterday afternoon.
At the luncheon the paper was
discussed at some length. and there
was also discussion Of the report OF
the com mitteo on liquor submitted
by Mr.. Camlilus q. kidder. Of Or
ange. N. J. In this report recon-
mediation was made that the league
devote It's attention to the question
OF licensing authorities.
Opinion Is Diverse.
The report says; This u = ques-
ton upon which there 10 the utmost
diversity OF opinion and upon which
there IL as yet no definite and Anal
procurement Under a strong and
good licensing authority almost any
~
THAI u thorough examitAtio ut first
hand Into the facts available would
occupy Profitably tho attention OF
the new committee for at least a
year. perhaps longer. Your comaiit-
tee urges that this topic should first
enlist the attention OF the league"
Tho report also stated that from
tho standpoint OF the league the ques-
ton OF primary Importance is not
that OF creating ideal conditions, but
OF the wise regulation Of the liquor
traffic. as = problem In the govern
ment OF cities.
This idea also largely prevailed
among the members who INDUCED
In the discussion.
shows Permanent ResultA
Pointing out the results OF the pro.
hibttion movement as they appeared
to him, Mr. Thomas in his paper said:
The FIRST permanent results OF the
prohibition agitation and elections,
though direct ends desired were not
fully accomplished. have been to
awaken the people to the power OF
the franchise and their correspond
ing responsibility. The strength OF
the Dem ocratic party has tended to
cause the average Southern voter to
regard political issues az settled, and
-s@hen he has voted for his man At
the primary. has only to look to the
next choice OF the man in the eloc-
ton. Agitation Of tho questions Of
the excise. being largely waged by q
manhood that has no other motive
than the desire to improve the well
fare Of humanity. has had q wonder
fully educative value. 1t has built
up the moral fbre Of the individual
on both sides OF tho question.
The second permanent result u
that there has been raised A. prob
lem for the future. Tho Urban vs. the
Rural ideal Some contend that the
country IN to b. the salvation Of the
city, and with great show Of truth.
Who nthe sentiment OF prohibition has
driven the sale Of liquor from the
country into cities. there Is conflict OF
authority II the rural undertakes to
disregard the local interest of the
municipality. The latter being
strong mixture of many kinds OF
artificial and natural persons. tho
system Of allied interests can be
readily formed for the protection Of
Joint interests The spirit Of the city
In therefore largely commercial as
against high degree OF rural moral
ity.
Raises Federal Question.
"A third permanent result u. that
this agitation has raised for settle
ment the question how far 1t In the
duty ofthe United States to regard the
will Of the State when that will has
been lawfully declared.
TT required q long time for men
to extend the GreaN ct loc&l option from
the community up to the country then
to the whole State, and \ much longer
time Will be necessary to extend tho
area to the nation II indeed this In
over accomplished.
The practical effect Of the United
States revenue statutes, Interstate
commerce laws, and the use OF the
mails, Is to make the government the
friend and coajutor Of the blind tiger.
tho brewer and distilier n defeating
the will Of the people by granting Fed
eral license to whomsoever will pay.
to go into any prohibition State and
violate the law. II the Government
Continued on Second Paga)