The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-02-29
THE LAST ACT

conferred on the General Assembly lay by
xhiu,ss Of siuslc legislator has become mas
aer Of prime importance in the news Of The
ssament Every whisper that runs about the
corridors OF the State capitol goes forth 10
furnish food for discussion among the masses
Every ripple OF debate has become a sensation
Every rumor, M matter what its foundation
Is invested with ii vast significance.
Al Of this personal feeling with respect TO
The Legislature centers about ono measure The
Jordan Enabling Act is longer the para
noun, question which the General Assembly
4-- II - -otsestinn ui,ou wf1trn
the Legislature will be judged by the people
OF Virginia
Last might the Jordan Act came to what
gshis session. Endorsed by the House. 1t came
before thc Senate Committee on Privileges
and Elections claiming a free road and a fair
feld We do not exaggerate when say that
i majority of the people of Virginia looked to
this meeting as a crisis in which involved
! ASSEMBLY Is called to deal II is measure
which the one hand appeals to n sentiment
that its purity Of purpose will avail in the end
but which realize hat every year of L2lay
In written in blood and suffering. II is mea-
sure that, on the other hand arouses every in
which the dollar is the end OF philosophy. There
IL the making in this crisis and In the conflict
Of these antagonisms of social drama as in
tense as any which the State in a long history
has been called upon TO face. The Senate
committee as was expected reported the bill
adversely. Coupling with its report a re-
Hommendation that the Senate take up and
aet the bill Friday.
.@ IT remains now to ascertain whether the
& Senate of Virginia will look facts in the face
and resolve conflict which must be otherwise
perpetual by dropping the glove which shall
be the signal OF a meeting of forces In the
open There has been some prating OF the
OF liquor domination. We say that the sub
ject Is not one that can be treated dispasson-
Ately. and that campaign for any great cause
Is sailing under false pretense when il attempts
to End solution without passion. The people
Of Virginia passionate in this demand? Yes.
Boes the Legislature know what popular pas
sion meansg Does IL know that there is such
thing as righteous passion? And does it
think for an instant that the passion of the
moment can be cooled through any eqaivocai
avoidance of the issue which it may attempt
TO interpose?
Every Senator knows from personal expert
enee how deep and how wdefiung is the de-
faaHa for the legislation carried BY the Jordan
Art Every Senator knows that the bill re-
presents a demand on the part of a. proportion
OF the voters OF the State which under ori-
nary circumstances would have only mildly TO
petition to gain their wishes at its hands We
70 further and state that a majority of the
Senate has already heard coneIusively from
voters SUFFICIENT In number to put il notice
that failure to make law OF the Jordan Act
will, Pc 10 sssappoifit what rs already 49,
parent majority of the qualified voters of yr-
ginia.
How and why, then. does the Senate hest.
a tate? What, at bottom. is the explanation OF
q reluctance in this case which would not be
evident in another one. except the wealth. the
influence, the indrec, appeal, coercion, threat
and oppression of traffic so vile that its most
earnest advocate dares not give 1t support
cept when coupled with apology and excuse?
This is what the Senate is faced with: 1t
IL asked to go forward. not TO give prohibit
fi0n but to give the people the right to de-
eide whether they win have prohibition.
WIN II 20 forward. will 1t further halt ana
hesitates WIN IL take to itself the RESPONSE
bity OF giving the people who demand right
TO act denial which be better than
m evasion
Or will 1t, each man free and independent
In personal opinion. take the high ground Of
Yielding on demand the exercise of trust to
the competent authority ~ whom the trust
~as delegated
The people 81 virginia ask tho Senate to
4 Gre them that power which is their own
n