The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-05-22

In the state where fraudulent regis
tration and baIiot-box stuffing have
no place" IT is true you qualify this
assertion by the clause, so far as ]
know" but ii does not appear to he
exactly exactly fair to bring every
voting precinct In Virginia under sus-
picion by your sweeping assertion and
then 10 leave yourself the loophole.
$50 far as ! know l have no doubt
that there are many precincts in the
State where there are neither fraud
ulent registration nor ballot-box stuff
ing.
But the Anti Saloon League of Nir-
ginia fully agrees with you that AN
absolutely fair ballot, with honest
registration and an honest count Is
necessary for the inauguration or con-
/ HnuatIon- Of prohibition. and the
league has given this subject most ear
nest consideration. AT the Newport
News convention in 1911 this subject
was discussed In its various phases by
Hon r. e. Byrd and Hon. Carter
| Glass. and the league has placed itself
on record on this question in clear and
positive language. But you indicate In
this connection your failure to under
stand one of the fundamental prin-
ciples of the league. You say, Il have
been greatly surprised that the leaders
active for honesty in the general cleo
ton between the political parties"
The leaders OF the Anti-Saioon
/ league know no man after the flesh.
A mans relation to the Democratic or
Repu blican party is not matter OF
concern to the league. The general
elections, SO far as. they relate To
purely party politics. do not concern
Anti Saloon league leaders. except as
he n
fight between the two political pay
ties for the spoils OF office. or con-
corning such issues AZ the tariff, the
currency. the trusts. important as
these issues may be to them as citi-
Zers, are of no concern to them as
leaders of the AntiS Saloon league, and
the league takes no position on such
questions. Its work Is restricted
solely and entirely to the one issue Of
the sale of intoxicants for beverage
purposes. 1t aspouses the cause OF no
man because he is a Republican or a
Democrat. but solely because OF his
position on the question of prohibi-
ton. The league, therefore. has no
ississieR 10. pszfsT IL - an Tire general
elections between the political par
ties" as You assume, and any inter-
ference- by 1t in such elections would
ultimately destroy the league. for the
league claims support from both Re-
publicans and Democrats. and should
II interfere in any way In general
elections there would inevitably ensue
decided differences OF opinion be-
tween the adherents of the different
parties as to the fairness OF the posi-
ton taken by the league. and the re-
suit would be that many supporters
'of Tire ptsssatpfes of the league woSIfd
resent tho activity of officials of the
league In the general elections and
would withdraw their support from
the league.
Your surprise, therefore. that the
leaders in this movement have not
been more active FOR honesty in the
general election indicates that you
do not understand how carefully ethe
leaders" aforesaid have. abstained
from any form OF action that would
indicate a purpose to interfere in any
purely political conflicts 1t has only
been when the prohibition question
was g. distinct issue in the selection of
men for public Office that leaders or
the league have taken any active
nart In political conflicts, and then It
has been done only after. Il full ex-
PLANTATION of the conditions and the
principles involved.
1t Is this failure to discriminate be-
tween the Anti-Saloon league and an
ordinary political party which causes
the misunderstanding as to the proper
work and functions of the league. The
work or the league consists In agita-
ton to arouse public sentiment ia I
vorable to the destruction OF the bev-
verage liquor traffc; to urge the pas
sage Of legislation which will prohibit
The traffic. and to arouse and to solid
ify a civic conscience which will de-
mand the enforcement OF the law. All
this work is done without regard to
political parties The league asks the
position Of candidates ufon the liquor
question. publishes the same for the
Information of voters, and leaves to
the voters to decide what action they
waA take.-T The league does Aet enter
ally itself with any political party. or