The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-12-16

gate charge. made against officers Of
the league 10 all the religious papers
in this country with request for the
publication acts.
tn report Is as follows:
The National Convention Of the
Anti-Saloon League OF America IN
dignantly repudiates the sianderoos
inuendoes OF the Nationla Issue and
other organs attacking the officers of
this league. We have full confidence
In the integrity of our leaders. after
careful audit of all accounts and long
knowledge of our leaders. We invite
the searching examination on The part
of the leagues supporters. and we
warn our friends against the malice
OF d.scredited and isappointed re-
negades."
DIR. Barton, of Texas, read h re-
port of the committee on resolutions.
The report declared the answering
purpose of the temperance workers to
continue the warfare until final VIC
tory had been secured, congratulated
the people OF Maine upon the failure
of the enemy to destroy the %prohibi-
ton law; rejoiced in the tremendous
change in public sentiment In Texas,
which registered a prohibition vote
Of ove one quarter of a million, lack
Ing less than seven thousand of a
majority. In spite OF the large num-
Der Of purchased votes by the liquor
traffic. The resolution condemned the
use of the public press by the liquor
trafhc TO publish false statements, and
warned he people against papers
which sold their columns to aid the
traiilc and urged the counter use of
h press by temperance workers and
the education of the young in the
facts concerning intoxicants.
The resolution spoke with no un-.
certain sound eoncernig the relation
OF the United states government to
The traffic.
We hereby reaffirm the declara-
lions OF the national conventions OF
this league that the liquor traffic is
and must be dealt with as a crime:
that II Is devoid of every legitimate
CHARACTERISED of business. We recog
nize the truth Of the declaration b,
the Supreme Court Of the nation. that
IN any loss of revenue to the gen
eral government occasioned by the
apoIltion OF this traffic the nation will
pc the gaiAer a thousand fold in the
hsaith' wealth and happiness of the
people. and we do, therefore. most
earnestly protest against the degrading
policy or this nations being In part
nership with the liquor trafffc nv the
reception therefroin OF internal reye-
nue..
me tragedy OF the temperance
movement in America today Ia the
iact that. regardless OF the State and
focai prohibition. the interstate traf-
nc III ~lhtoxicants. under the protec-
non OF the Federal government, goes
on multiplying State laws to 81 large
extent, and bringing debaucherv to
~nuhdfeds OF communities which have
done their utmost to free themselves
from this ~iniquity.
while States MAY forbid the do
nestle traffic in liquors under exist
ing conditions, they cannot adequate
y project themselves against the
traifc. We believe that the States
should be untrammeled to Iegislate
"'thih their sphere for the highest
Weiiare or their people. Since the
eaefai government cannot possibly
nave a greater interest in the welfare
or the citizens of the several States
than the States themselves nossess
We appeal to Congress to enact speed
NY such legislation as will give eff
ieclFe ana adequate protection to
the people OF the various States and
communities which have outlawed the
liquor traffic. We declare our belief
that this Issue Is one of first import
ance to the American people and can
MOI pa longer ignored.
We appeal to the sense Of fair play
on the part of our nationwide citi-
zenship that %henceforth they be not
satisfied to support any man for con
g~resslonal honors who Is not ready to
do his part In securing this needed
legislation. At the Friday mornings
session OF the general conference on
the evils OF the interstate traffic Gov
ernor William Hodges Mann. of Nir-
ginia. presided n made a most en-
t~ertaining and effective speech upon
taking the chair. He declared that
the question before the conference
involved primarily the sovereign will
Of the States.
Governor Mann, emphatically stated
that the Federal government has
helped to nullify the State laws by
issuing United States tax receipts on
liquor. and that there should be alb
soluteiy no Interference on the part of
the government with the sovereign
State on the enforcement of alws.
Pledge College Vote.
Others spoke on behalf OF the right
of a sovereign State to enforce its
laws without the interference of the
government. Some contended that
the proposed legislation should have
as its factor. the intention of the
sAIpiiieHt VI ltluOI "Iiit ottieIS Iidlu-
tain that the right process was the
question of the boundary line of the
State. Harry 8. Warner, general Sec
rotary OF the intercollegiate Prohi-
bition Association. of Chicago. pledg-
ed the votes Of 5000 college men and
the creation of a strong sentiment
among the ~eollegiates in favor of no
interference on the part of the govern
ment and the abolition of the saloon,
At the session in the afternoon the
nature Of the bill was further dis
p.,ruAd