The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-01-17
PEOPLES FORUM.

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Editor News Leader:
In your issue Of Saturday. January 18th. on
the front page in your headlines you state:
Anti Saloon League Leader on Floor OF
House. But 1t is Probable Such Practice VIII
Not be Permitted Senate Floor. That Body
Having Refused to Allow Privilege TO Any One
Who Seeks to Influence Legislation"
Further down in the column there II q black
head tine: 'pr. Cannon There Again" under
which. appears, "Dr. James Cannon Of the Anti
Saloon League, was on the floor OF the House
comforting with Delegate Jordan, who introduced
the Statewide prohibition bill yesterday, and
talking with other members. It is not believed
advocates Of the ntt-Saloon League Will be
allowed to approach members Of the Senate at
their DESKS the Senate having adopted reso-
luton providing that person who has the
privilege Of the floor shall use 1t to influence
leEislation'
The purpose OF the above statements is to
League Leader, DIR. James Cannon" did some
thing on the floor of the House. which was not
proper, and which would not be allowed on the
ioor OF the Senate. and that It was Of sufficien.
Importance to justify a newspaper headline and
comment.
lative Committee OF the Anti-Saloon League Of
Virginia. elected to that position by the Ant,
Richmond on Thursday morning. Between the
hours of ii and L. before the House was
called to order, he discussed the enabling act
with several Of the prominent members
OF the House. He also shook hands and chatted
with number Of gentlemen with whom he
acquainted He was on the floor Of the House
.irne CT the day. namely between the hours of
IL and IL o'clock discussing the enabling act,
the restricted license law. the anti-quor ship
ment law, and the sunset to sunrise closing
, he
chatted with number OF acquaintances
variety of subjects. On Friday he on the
| that body and was greeted by number Of his
acquaintance there and discussed with few
of them proposed prohibition legislation,
TN neither OF the three days. in question dio
Or. Cannon remain on the floor of the House
after the business of the session began. On
two Of the three days he not the floor
of the House when II was called to order. and
on the other day when the House was called
to order. DR.. Cannon retired from the floor OF
the House and the Delegate to whom he was
talking retired with him. and the conversa-
ton was finished outside of the House cham
Der. There Is no law or regulation which for
bids any Citizen Of Virginia. even the ANTI
chamber of either the House or the Senate,
when those bodies are not In session. and talk
Ing with Delegates or Senators about ever
Anti-SHloon League legislation.
The report In the News Leader is worded
very carefully. 1t says that DIR. Cannon was
ION floor OF House." and while II does not say
that the House was Gin session" at the time
It endeavors to convey that impression without
saying for 1t says 1T is probable such prac-
tce will not be permitted Senate floor"
where az matter Of fact no action has been
taken. or Is likely to re taken by either the
House or the Senate which viii prevent any
body not even the AMT Saloon League Leacer'
from doing exactly what done by Dr..
! James Cannon. namely, talking TO Delesates and
I Senator's on the floor Of the House. and of the
! Senate also when those bodies were not In SEES
/ SIGN
The head lines and the statements, concern
! IL myself In the News Leader misleading
| and would seem indicate purpose the
part Of the News Leader to mtsrepresent the
! Anti-Saloon Ieague workers at the very be-
ginning Of the session OF the General Assem-
bly, II the News Leader desires to fight the
/ Il gisiation asked by the Anti Saloon Lea que.
/ let 1t fight openly and fairly. and not by mis-
/ representation OF facts Of persons
\ YANTrG CANNON