The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-01-13
FIRST Gun FOR PROHIBITION.

The enabling act designed to give the people
OF virginia the right to vote upon the question
Of Statewide prohibition was introduced into
the House of Delegates yesterday, referred to
the Committee on Privileges and Elections.
and the afternoon and evening of January "A
were fixed for public hearing upon the merits.
The bill as introduced is fully representative
of the best informed and most conservative
temperance sentiment OF the State, II has the
endorsement OF the Anti-Saloon League and of
those who have been the most consistent OF the
advocates Of an election ga the question OF
prohibition. If passed by the General Assembly
IN its present form, it viii put the principle
itself to a fair decision of the popular vote,
unembarrassed by side issues doubtful ques-
,,ous 1t Ia the duty OF every advocate Of prohi-
bit.on In the State to at this time sink every
thing collateral to the main issue In an earnest
effort to secure its passage unamended.
Under the provisions of the bill as drawn, an
election may not be held until a-pet!t!an- fer
the same shall have been signed by not less
than one-fourth OF the qualified voters OF the
State An election itself could not be held
prior 10 October. 1913, and. in the event of
favorable issue, actual prohibition az result
OF the act could not become effective until May
LIST. 1914.
Such provisions assure several matters OF
Importance TO a right settlement of the tenn
perance question They deny In advance the
cry that the advocates of prohibition are fore
ing business interests into position where
they may have to suffer sudden liquidation
On the other hand. they serve to put both
the onus and privilege of the election exactly
where they belong the great body of men
who have been demanding 1t a right 1t
will BE-, under this bill, with the temperance
advocates to show by great count of voters
their right to the election and. within conser-
yative limits, to choose the time when they
will meet the issue. These things are clearly
the part of temperance advocates. They should
be allowed to assume that part. and they can
not shirk 1t.
AS to the chances OF the enabling passing.
the fight in the General Assembly Is concedediy
In the Senate. The House. upon the main is
cue. is already won In the Senate. the result
in any event. will be close. This means that
az usual the higher branch OF the Legislature
In more slowly responsive to public sentiment
1t behooves each worker for the passage of the
bill to to It that no opportunity be lost
OF impresssing ON every Senator the logic which
lies In the force of two-thirds of a State al
ready satisfactorily living under complete prohi-
bltion. and nine-tenths practically 80. There
Id possibility of defeat in the Senate. but
II liz no more than possibility. To defeat
that possibility there is the one Injunction OF
vigilance till the end.
Ii the worse come. the inevitable shall only
have been postponed to be made more certain
But the worst Is not coming. Instead, the
dream OF an unsefsh and patient body OF
voters set upon the realization OF moral idea
Is all but at the point of specialization into
fact.