The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-02-01

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& sIs - 1te ssl,sna = Nossoak and
IN ] r. - sxanno ~ eur runswAis Of
i t6S1r 3c<naa go - them wAs de-
!. s,Flve1 u ! Incense becAuss . woman
kaN bought . bottle Of beer through
the window. He deceared THAI the
! g - sssport city. Ms city. he said.
scoileefed t1tt.e year from the
saloons. an amount nearly ~ great
~ the whole sum appropriated by
the state for public schools when ne
1es member Of the Assembly. The
revenue was needed BY both state ana
city.
that there WAS notninw like the pub
lie demand behind the Statewide
movement this year that there was
Charles r. Bland Speaks.
Charles r. Bland, at one time a
member OF the House and now Com
ucnweaitlss attorney az the city or
Portsmouth. made a vigorous attack
apon the Statewide proposal. although
declaring that he was and for ten
years had been q total abstainer. II
II were possible TO abolish liquor from
+. the whole country he would favor
the move. He even felt disposed.
he said. to be with the temperance
people on the Jug bill He based
his argument against Statewide on the
cant prohibit foundation and said
that his city was peaceful and happy
and wanted to be let alone.
a Mr.. Mct-segor. introduced by Mr..
Kelly as q Nelson county farmer.
testified that his neighbors, who had
bought their rum in the Northern
cities, were now patronixing Staunton
..x.s hot rtSy hal ure
Would Drink Glass and All.
Maurice A. Powers, of Richmond
representing the Personal Liberty
League OF Virginia. having in
Richmond, he said. 1900 members.
vas next introduced. He declared
that he was suffering from bad cold
and that little glass of teddy would
do him world OF good. But he
had at the beginning Of his business
career cut out whiskey and would not
touch q drop, although ii might be
placed before him and remain there
until 1t all evaporated--uniess DIR.
Cannon told him he shouldn't drink
II. when he would drink Il, glass and
all. .Aii honor to those who are
trying to reduce misery and suffer-
ing said he, In paying a tribute to
the sincerity OF the Anti-Saloon peo-
Pile He said that it was wrong to
legislate on moral questions People
should be allowed to settle such ques-
tions for themselves. He felt that he
was not inconsistent in not using
liquor himself. but advocating the
privilege of others tn use it IL they
raw at. He made humorous references
10 the Statewide agitation. saying the
TEN pcrance people a&itated II just for
excitement. He declared that LIT.
Cannon had nothing else az diver
sion but to stir up Statewide, while
az for himself he enjoyed baseball
ard other sports
II. T.. Jones. president Of the DO
ninion National Bank. Of Bristol.
spoke briefly against Statewide prohi~
titioa and said he believed his peo-
pie opposed 1t.
1t IL interesting To note that bris-
tot and Washington county are rep
resented bysa Senator and two Dele
gates. all Of whom will vote for the
enabling act.
Dr. Cannon then stated that no had
pressing engagements. which would
prevent his icing present on Friday
snd asked to be allowed to occupy the
Remaining. time of the evening ses-
Sion This request was granted.
DR.. Cannon Speake.
DIR, Cannon stated that he desired
10 confine himself to discussion OF
the bill before the committee. that the
gentlemen who had spoken on the
other side had strayed very far from
the discussion OF the bill.
He then analysed the bill and set
forth Its provisions; IN II gives to the
ausisHNd voters OF Virginia tho right
to vote upon the question OF the man.
ufacture and sale OF intoxicating IL
auors, wherever petition are presented
asking for that right signed by az
many voters a. equal one-fourth OF
the number cast in the last guberna-
toorial election. II would not be pos
sihle for few cranks and fanatics
to put the State In a ferment. A body
OF qualified voters 10000 ~trong must
ark for the right.
f2l The election could. be called at
only one time In the year. namely, the
first TUESDAY - October.
t2i An election could be held only
once In four wears
t4e s11 ould the State vote "dry" the
liquor licenses would not expire until
May 1. following the next session of
the General Assembly. so that the
dealers would have either eight or
twenty months In which to close out
their business.
The bill IL simple and fair in its
provisions and confines itself 10 the
one issue of giving To the people the
opportunity to vote on this question.
Is Bin Constitutional?
DR. Cannon took up and discussed
at some length the constitutionality OF
the bill. Has the General Assembly
the right to pass sucha bill? He read
paragraph 81 II the CONSTITUTION
which declares: THE General As
sembiy shall have fun power to enact
local option or dispensary laws. or
any other laws, controlling, regulating
ar prohibiting the manufacture and
sale Of intoxicating liquors"
He argued that this was broad
sweeping provision, which had been
passed upon by the Court of Appeals
in the case Of Willis VS., Kahn
bach. reorted In 10s Virginia. decided
March Is, 1909. In their opinion the
Court OF Appeals have decided that
paragraph 81 was so broad and sWeepx
ing that II was constitutional for the
General Assembly TO provide a special