The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-06-12
PEOPLES FORUM
anti-saloon League Blocking Legislation.

Editor of The virginian:
sir,-Both by some people and some news,
papers the Anti-Saloon league has been charged
with blocking legislation in Virginia by us
very strenuous advocacy of the enabling act
Every now and then some patriotic cltzeh,
usually on the side OF the liquor traffic, or
some paper, the columns of which usually
drip with liquor advertisements. charges that
the league is unreasonable in its demand for the
enabling act and by such insistence is taking the
time of the Legislature and getting in the way or
more important matters"
1t should be distinctly understood that the
Anti-Saloon league has never blocked any legis-
lation in Virginia in its efforts TO procure the
enabling act or other temperance legislation.
1t Is a case of the shoe on the other loot Ior
in the past two sessions of the legislature the
time demanded and used by the league IN
pressing for the enabling act was made apso-
lutely necessary by the tactics of the liquor
interests. And it cannot be correctly denied
that during the last session of the Legislature
there was absolutely unnecessary delay IN near
tngs on the bill because 1t evidently suited the
liouor interests better to postpone than TO
meet the issue. 1t will be recalled by those
who were connected with either side OF the
Question that this was the case.
1t comes with poor grace from any advocate
of liquor, or opponent of the enabling act, TO
make so puerile a charge thae Inc AnM ttn tpa
league has INSTRUCTED legislation with .he
pressing OF the enabling act. 1t must be that
the opponents of the measure have observed
the increasing sentiment for the enabling act
in Virginia. and being so hard up for argument
are now trying to put the Anti-Saloon league on
the defensive by the cry-baby act or charglng'
without Justice, or basis of fact, that the Anti
saloon league is responsible for the delay In
the passage of what they are pleased to call
more important legislation"
We appreciate the fact that there are other
important measures bearing upon equalization
of taxes, good roads, better schools. ETC., but
why should a great moral issue involving not
only the prosperity of the State, but the very
life blood of the men and women. boys and
girls. of Virginia be deemed not only COMPARE
lively insignificant but as a blocker OF more
5mportant legislation? If these patriotic"
citizens and newspapers opposed OF the enabling
act feel that the urgent pressing of that measure
is likely. to retard the progress OF other legis-
lation then patriotism can very easily have
its best reward by the use OF their influence
cessful issue. Instead Of keeping up the bars
and preventing the passage OF the enabling act
let these patriots take down the bars and let
the enabling act through. For years we have
been trying to get through in the face of the
most determined and desperate opposition Of
the LIQUOR traffic, and bill after bill Of much
been passed: for instance. when the senate
passed a law prohibiting the killing of robins,
while the enabling act, which for several years
had been standing waiting, was not permitted
to pass. 1t Is all right to protect birds. but it
would be much better to protect boys, for
boys and not birds are the foundation of our
Commonwealth.
We say again that we have no disposition
to block legislation. We want only our con-
stitutional and moral right to cross swo rds with
the Virginia liquor traffic. We have no DISPOSE
ton to endanger or defeat any legislation in
tended for the advancement of the Old Do
minion: all We want, as representatives of the
people and a square deal, is the right to vote
on Statewide prohibition. We expect to be at
the doors OF the next general assembly prompt
ly with the enabling act and to press with all
the power Of an increased public sentiment for
the passage OF that measure. We care not
what may be the protests of patriotic, LIQUOR
advocates nor the jibes of their COLLEAGUES In
The Notwithstanding business. We represent
the .crystallized sentiment Of half q century'o