The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-08-08
ENABLING ACT To
COME FIRST THING
# HOLT Can Do It
Chairman Senate Committee
on Privileges and Elections
Gives Views
FRIENDS OF BILL
TO OPPOSE HASTE
Newport News Senator is OF
Opinion that Taxation is
Paramount and Must
Be Disposed Of

"As chairman Of the senate commit
Rec on privileges and elections, shall
Insist that the enabling act be taken
up and disposed Of as far as we are
concerned, during the first week OF the
session
This statement was made by State
Senator Saxon r. Holt while he was
sojourninE In Richmond between
trains as ne was on his way to Allie
Ehany to Join his family for the re-
mAinder OF the summer.
THE question of taxation is un-
doubtedly the paramount one BEFORE
the next legislature, and II will requfrA
practically all of the time of the
two branches My position ON the
enabling act is well known and in my
desire to have that question disposed
Of ] have no axe to grind II the
friends of the enabling act are Able
10 muster the strength to make Ii a
law, am willing to be defeated early
in the game and get the question set
tied. so that we can get down to what
consider more important work"
Favors week for Argument.
perhaps the advocates of the en-
abling act desire time In which to
present their arguments to the men,
hers of the committee and eniighten
the members of the legislature as
10 their position" was suggested to
Senator Holt.
~ should think they could present
their arguments within a week" said
the senator. Il am perfectly willing
to give that week to elaboration and
consideration Of the bill. If the advo-
Gates Of the measure desire that much
time. but ! should think that would
be sum -lent. AS ] stated before.
do not regard the enabling act as the
paramount question for the considera-
ton OF the legislature and am un-
willing that II shall consume as much
time at this session as 1t did at the
last one
League VIII BE Ready.
DIR. James ID. McAlister. secretary
of the Anti-Saioon League in Virginia
when informed of the statement which
Senator Holt. chairman OF the commit
tee on privileges and elections made
this paper in which he declared that
he would do all in his power TO have
the enabling act brought before the
attention OF the legislature during the
first week OF the coming session. stated
that such move would be entirely
satisfactory to him and to the league.
I'VE have never delayed in bring
ing the act to vote" declared Mr..
McAlister. and do not intend to do so
now. In the past II has always been
the Anti-Saloon league which has been
on the offensive and we expect to con-
made by Mr.. Holt leading to an early
appearance Of the act before the iegis-
lature will not be Objectionable to us.
~ far as I know"
Temperance Forces Encouraged.
Asked for a statement as to the
campaign waged for the election of
legislators favoring the enabling act
and the result OF the recent primary.
Mr.. McAlister said:
I'VE have lost in some counties
and have gained in others The gem
eral result In a great majority for the
enabling act In the house OF delegates.
The liquor interests have, In my opin-
ion. put up the most desperate fight
they have ever waeed in this State and
our increased majority in the house
clearly indicates that Virginia liz dry
State, that the 1919 house of delegates
properly interpreted the will OF the
people In passing the enabling act and,
In the facts Of last Tuesdays results.
We believe the senate will be very re-
auctAnt to turn down the enabling act
Ut the 1914 session Of the legislature"
The Paramount Issue
In speaking Of what he considers
the paramount issue of the cam
paign--the question of readjustment
OF the tax iaws-Senator Holt stated
th.t Il r Question that presents
msnv nrohlema and one that re-
r,,irs. much consideration.
ar This session In unable to settle
this question. I am heartily In favor
~ .dontinr the suggestion of Mr..
Wr-S ~ tha Governor cali an EXTRA
....snr ~ tbs ,eri.latnre 70 act nnon
rnthtr~ MI that measure n ,s nm
Ao,,h.aS,v n,,eation ~ great import
80 nra .h.t shnmid he settled and
's.st,.a n-nnsrrv
..r,. - ~ rraatest a,.sat,sfac-
81, thraughomt he state IA to the
pIesent sy .thIrr ~ ann.