Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1913-12-18


Saloon League in Washington last week
to urge upon Congress an amendment to
the Constitution forbidding the manufac-
ture, sale. importation and expectation oil
alcoholic liquors was an important and
impressive affair. Indeed, we regard 1t
as an historic event, because it was the
first public demonstration in the cause OF
nation wide prohibition. The Anti-Sa-
loon Leage had arranged for committee
of one thousand to meet in Washington
and present to Congress petition for the
passage of this amendment. The COM
mittee swelled to more than two thousand
earnest men, and every State in the Union
was represented. Forty men was the
quota from West Virginia-seventY-six
insisted on allying themselves with the
movement. There was great enthusiasm,
but there was much nore-theTe was an
earnestness and determination that were
impressive to an extreme degree. No
one, not even the most skeptical and
belligerent OF the liquor forces, could fail
to realize that these men meant business.
II was not an aggregation OF cranks and
fanatics and hayseedS-on the contrary,
il was body of forceful men, who COM
PEELED the respect OF everyone who came
in contact with them. Among them were
bishops and other clergymen, judges and
lawyers, teachers, physicians, editors.
business men, farmers, workingmen-
persons representing almost every avoca-
ton and united in one high and noble
purpose.
Wednesday morning procession OF
these temperance men that was more
than eight city blocks in length marched
down Pennsylvania Avenue to the Cap
itol, being joined on the way by several
hundred women of the w. c. T. u.
Massed on the steps and portico OF the
Capitol building, the committee delivered
to Senator Sheppard and Representative
Hobson the joint resolution TO be pre-
scented TO Congress. Addresses were de-
livered by leaders in the Anti-Saloon
cause, including President P. A. Baker,
Secretary E. H. Cherrington. ex-Gover-
nor Patterson OF Tennessee, Mrs. Stevens
and Mrs. Armour. Representative Hob
son and Senator Sheppard made appro-
pirate response. Wednesday night a
great meeting was held in Continental
Hall, where powerful and effective ad-
dresses were delivered by speakers OF
national celebrity.
Thursday morning some five hundred
men took breakfast together at Rauscher'S,
and after number of short addresses had
been made, details OF the work to be done
were discussed and plans outlined. 1t
was an impressive scene when these five
hundred men stood and with uplifted
hands declared with one voice, eve will
see this thing through |" Later the West
Virginia delegates visited the Senators
and Representatives from this State, by
whom they were most courteouSly re-
ceived and whose attitude on the queS-
ton was most satisfactory.
Thursday afternoon there was re-
markable scene in the House OF Repre-
sentatives, when Congressman Richmond
Pearson Hobson presented the joint res
olution and made powerful speech in
connection Herewith. The great gal
leries that surround the immense hall
were packed and jammed with temper
ance advocates, and, unmindful OF the
rules OF The House, they cheered and ap-
plauded Captain Hobsoa as he brought
out the strong points OF the question.
Mr.. Hobson got into a colloquy with
Representative Underwood, the House
leader, in which their senatorial ambi-
tious were referred TO in the most spirited
manner, but with courage and firmneSs
Mr.. Hobson maintained his position. 1t
was dramatic and thrilling scene, and
il il had no other effect ii unqueStionably
brought the liquor question 10 the atten-
ton OF the nation in a most interesting
way. The Anti Saloon League has an
able and courageous champion in Repre-
sentative Hobson.
The leaders Of and the participants in
this great gathering are more than pleased
with its succesS-it was all they had
hoped for, and more There are many
who believe and predict that national
prohibition will come within ten years.