The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-02-21
Bill Said to Be subver-
slve Of Representa-
tiv e Government.
CHARGES PUBLIC
HAS BEEN MISLED
White Says Principles of Bill
Opposite From Campaign Ma
terial of Anti-saloon League,
and That Leaders Are
Either Ignorant or
Deceptive.

Dismayed and disheartened worsted
In debate, threatened with the loss Of
a score of votes. holding their forces
together only with tina might of the
organization of the Anti-Saloon League
OIL virginia. the advoca ties of the Jor-
dan prohibition enabling act We're con-
sldering last night the advisability OF
yielding to demands for amendments.
These changes would prevent the vote
OF the people, II taken, from positively
settling the liquor question, but would
leave 1t to the next Legislature.
This change of sentiment in this
House of Delegates, SO entirely uneN-
pectcd. was due to the terrific on
saught made by Hugh a. White, oe
Rnckbridge. on the introduction into
Virginia OF the principle of the initia
tive and referendum, as contained in
the Jordan bill. His speech was pro-
nounced one OF the most mastery and
most effective heard for some years
In the Capitol Of Virginia.
Reply by Speaker Byrd.
He was answered by Speaker Rich-
ard Evelyn Byrd, whose powerful AMI
eloquent appeal for the measure was
weakened in effect by tha fact that his
followers had been much divided i,y
Mr.. Whites speech. Many OF them In
sisted that the Jordan bill lid not
really mean that the people by vote
would have the power to make prohi-
uillOl ldCl pul LndI Ill any Gu S0
tho Legislature OF 1914 would hav. to
pass the necessary prohibitory law.
So 1t was that Mr.. Byrd's argument to
the effect that the people would decide
[ the matter only created greater con-
fusion q
At least a score of members pledged
to vote for an enabling act could he
here named who said last night that
Mr.. Whites argument against the con-
stitutionality OF the Jordan bill was
absolutely uuanswerable, Many OF
them went to the Rockbridge member
and said they would vote for his
amendment making ii clear that the
vote of the people is to be merely adj
visory. but that they were afraid they
would find difficulty In explaining
their position to their constituents.
To all he replied: Are you sur, your
people know what the bill Is? Tho
leaders of the AntiSaloon League,
through their organ. the Richmond Nir-
ginian, have said the bill means one
thing when IT says another. Arc YOU
justified in voting for a measure con-
trary to the belief of Your people," N
Gist of Contention.
The point or the White argument.
which so upset. the House. is simply
this: The Jordan bill says that Il Il
ma jority OF tho people in referendum
election vote against licensing the sala
of liquor. 1t shall be Illegal to sell or
make ardent spirits In this State. This
would be giving the people the power.
to make the laws. But the Anti
saloon League has been telling tho
public that the vote would be only
directory or advisory to the next Leg
islature, which would enact the pro-
hibition statute.
Considering Mr.. Whites well-known
temperance proclivities and his con-
slstent stand against liquor, his atti-
tude created tremendous sensation.
He voted for the enabling act of two
years ago. and did not discover for
months afterwards the dangerous pro-
vision which lie feels would wipe out
representative government in Virginia.
So strong was his argument that
John w. Stephenson, OF Bath, said in
a question that the Legislature must
in any casa enact the necessary law
Mr.. Stephenson is for prohibition. Yet
little later Speaker Byrd took the
exactly opposite view. showing tho
| confusion and disagreement which has
resulted.
Ignorance or Deception
Tim, and again, in mis- speech. Mr..
White drove home the proposition
that either the writers for the league
did not know what was in their own
bill. or else had been dscevlng the
people as to its contents. And there
We're many who said he proved it. He
read editorials from the Richmond V:r-
rinian. the mnuthpiece OF The Anti
Saloon League" to show that that
paper told the people that the vote
was only an advisory one while tho
Jordan bill would confer upon the peo-
pie. in violation OF the oaths of the
members TO support the Constitution,
the direct power of the initiative aud
the referendum.
NO law voted by the people will
be recognized by the courts of the
Commonwealth" asserted Mr.. White
The Anti saloon League people SEQ
this. and are telling the people that
they will not make the law, set tha
Jordan bill has a. different purpose.
Who shall We believe. the Virginian
or the bill"
1t was felt last night that the White
amendment stands good chance OF
adoption. a
Says People HHnvc Power.
| Speaker Byrd endeavored TO stay the y
| tide by saying that no Legislatures (
| could bind another. and that no Legls.
| lature could give the people the pow "
| or TO bind another Legislature, II
| was idle he argued. to invoke an cleo
| ton merely to advise the next Gem
| cral Assembly. lie contcnded that it
was the intent Of the Constitution TO
| give 10 the people. through their rep
| resentatives a free hand in the maxi i
| Ing OF any liquor laws they ra.ght5d
| desire. i..
| 1t can hardly DC eaid that the d.Es !