The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-01-02
Flashlights On The
Temperance Question
No. IL.
Rackbhlne.

Backbone.
II understand Mr.. c. wanted to open a
saloon in your neighborhood." remarked the
manager of big business concern to the head
man OF one Of the departments. The reply
was quick and eager. Yes. but he didn't do
it," The manager rejoined: And he blames
you for it," The employe sad HE does
too much honor to give me all the credit,
though l confess to no little activity in pre-
venting the license"
The manager looked wise and remarked in
patronzing tone that II not prudent
polite for his subordinate to take An active
psSt in such matters. Now. the mans business
had no sort of connection with the liquor trade,
and the empoye asked his superior to explain
himself, whercupon the following colloquy took
place:
Manager: We'll, you see, the applicant for
license is a brother of Colonel D., who is
member of the LEGISLATURE
Empoye: What has that to do with my OPP
posing C--'s liquor license?'
NJ. We'll. now, it's this way. our business
interests may be involved in some legislative
bills and II is unwise for concern to be In
unfriendly attitude towards the lawmakers
or their friends! You are one Of our represen-
tatives. and business, house Is held RESPONSE
BILE for the attitude of it's men. See?"
e. Il think so! Bluntly. hasn't the brother
of your Colonel D. been to you personally
and put you up to seeing me with the view to
silencing me in ease OF an appeal to higher
court for the license''
NJ: "Ahcn. Well yes. he has; hut that
natural"
f.: Maybe so, but 1t ,s most unnatural for
you To expect TO be party to such Honor
BLUM"
~; Don't be a crank"
F.: THAT Is just what will not be, and you
can say to Mr. c. Colonel D. that shall
certainly continue to fight his application for
license tn barroom In residential sec
ton and sure OF success"
NJ: Now, don't cut off your nose to spite
your facet!
t.: II may not quite connect with that re-
mark, but IL 1t is covert threat that j will
jeopardze my position by standing firm on the
statement have made, let me say then to you.
with the greatest respect, but with entire frank
1 a poor man. and 1t would cause no
little Inconvenience to myself and family to
lose the position have held with you all these
years. But | am not for sale. ] owe you faith
full and efficient service, which ] always try TO
render. But this firm has nothing to do with
my personal prerogattves as citizen. and as
long as there are clods to haul for so cents
day or any other honorable though mental
toll to my bread. will yield up my po-
siton with you rather than keep silent on the
LIQUOR license question. This incident or that
mans coming to you to seek the silenclng OF
me is illustrative of the contemplate methods
used nv the saloon forces. And your agree
ing to see me about II also illustrates the cow
ardly fear of business interests" You can say
TO your buffer that far as l am concerned
personally shall continue to fight his appl-
cation for license and all other applications
I can get a whack at If lose out with vou
then shall have been divorced from hrm
would consider 1t no longer an hohor 10 De
associated with"
Amen, Now. suppose all men who at heart
are opposed to the licensed liquor traffic would
have the courage of their convictions IKE TINS
man! 1t wouldn't take long 10 run this insldlous
foe out of land!
And It Is understood by many readers OF
The Virginian that some business hrms re-
fuse to natronize the manly. outspoken anti
tiuuor paper because II does not bend the preg-
nant hinges Of the knee" to the license senti-
ment that thrift may follow fawnins' IL IS
ahont time for the people who for 50 long be-
walled the lack of such a paper as The Nir-
pinian is admitted TO be to suggest to the
bovro,ters ct that pal ers that It Is Just as con-
,,nnient for us to spend our money with the
frms who advertise their wares In the col
umns ~ the paper We love to read.
What is needed is more backbone-Just such
as-that dfsplaved by the cmploye In the IN
ciaent above related, who did not lose his po-
st+ion with his old firm but really raised MIN
satf =, their estimation. Nor did c. ever get
his liquor license.