The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-08-18
|CURRENTCOMMENT
Mildly Non-Concrrent.


we dislike to take issue with good friend
or the Richmond Nirginian about anything;
hueeo' We agree on so many subjects that the
occasion for contravcning its views seldom oc-
ours But recent editorial article commits
cur neighbor to course of reasoning so little
IN accord with that by which we have reached
our View OF the same matter that We feel
the fallacy in it.
Most Of the Richmond aspirants for Demo
cratic nominations to the General Assembly
having declared themselves in favor of ioca,
option. but opposed to a State law forbidding
the shipment Of liquor from wet into dry
territory. The Nirgnan thus criticizes their at
tItude:
These gentlemen further announce that they
WA NOT vote 10 forbid the shipment of liquor
into dry territory. This position is easily
known to be utterly consistent with the
party's declaration for local option. Local OPP
uon gives to each community the privileges
ana right to determine by fair election whether
the majority of citizens desire the sale of Ii
quors under license in that community or
whether 1t shall be prohibited. We submit
mat when community has decided under
its legal rights that ii does not desire liauor
SOLD within its borders, every other community
true TO Democratic spirit and principles, should
seek to guarantee and safeguard its right of
seif-goVernment Tho position of the candi-
dates Is amazing in view of their earnest pro-
LESSON OF the Democratic spirit They are in
effect saying: You have the right to prohibit
the sale ct liquor in your community but we
VIII do nothing to forbid or prevent other
communities from overriding your rights and
Is there not here an obvious failure to give
proper recognition to- the pregnant fact that
no State regulation can prevent tho introduce
ton OF tut0XiCants into domestic communities
which have voted out the local ira aic so long
as under the Federal laws such shipment can
be made from points beyond the State? Cui
bono the closing Of Richmond. Petersburg and
Norfolk as sources OF supply to the people of
dry towns when the only effect of such leg
Aslation-8Qu lie 10 transfer this trade to
Washington, Baltimore and Philadelphia?
ON zen
porary omit tho distinction which ought to be
drawn between the sale Of liquor by licensed
dealers In dry territory and the sale 10 in
dlNldual citizens Of that territory by dealer
beyond its limits2
What Is local option? Let US take The vir-
glnians own definition:
Local option gives to each community the
privilege and right to determine by fair cleo
lion whether the majority of citizens desire
the sale Of liquors under license in that com
munlty, or whether it shall be prohibited"
No" how does could the purchase by
person resident in Suffolk Of liquor from a
merchant in Richmond violate the mandat,
quor under license in that community sha
DC ptohlhlled The receipt OF such consign-
ment In no wise relieves the Consgnee of tho.
inhibition and penalties of ~ sale in suffolk;
no gets no claim to 81 license by being tho re-
elpient under mail order of such a shipment:
and If he should sell II in Suffolk ne would
ton OF the local option law, SO becoming la
bic TO the punishment that law provides for
an Illegal traftckers ia liquor
Local option does not outlaw the possession
ana use OF lnt0Nicants by the citizen That
would DO an invasion OF personal liberty which
me most extreme disciple Of prohibition has
NOT Yet proposed. 1t only, and SO admits The
Nlrsfniah, lays an absolute interdict against
an licensed traffic in spirits within the {urIs-
dlctfon concerned, and ut the same time at
taches pains and penalties to all local ira fic
which Is not licensed How then can The
/ NHglhan say that the sincere local optiontsts
must also advocate the prohibition OF outside
SAFES 70 individuals in dry territory? How can
Is hasten Inconsistency on Messrs HARDWOOD
ana curtis for tayoring tho one and opposina,
the other3 How 1t justify its assertion
'hat theIF p"sItcn is but declaring in effect
4ou have the right to prohibit the sale
OF hqnor in your community but We Will do
nothing to forbid prevent other cornrnunl-
tles from overriding your rights and overthrow
I ing your VIII
TO our apprehension that right and that VIII
Went only to the length of making unla vfil
mo seIhng Of fntoMcants at wholesale or hv
felai WITHIN the county town which had
No'ed aga!Ast license. But The Virginan is
apparently hent on purpose which cannot
ne accomplished under local option as by it.
Self defined and interpreted And meanwhile
we repeat. why State law that must be
brutum tulmen SO long as the Federal govern.
meht extends To markets outside of Virginia
the right of sending anywhere in the state
any sort or liquor in any quantity desired by
a responsible party?
AND Eeho answers, Why?-yirgnan- Pilot