The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-16
Committee on Elections Ex.
pected to Make Early Re-
port and Pressure is Being
Brought to That End.
Anti-Saloon League Will Ask
for Immediate Meeting Of
Committee and Prompt Re-
port. Committee Favorable
to Acts Passage.

Now that the committee on privt-
leges and elections has been named,
the enabling act on which this com
clittee will pass, will soon be brought
to a vote in the house of delegates
Much pressure In being brought to
bear for its early disposal and many
members have expressed the wish that
the bill could come UP today, and be
acted on.
Dr. James Cannon, Jr.. the super
intendent of the Anti-Saloon league,
stated to a Nirgipian reporter hat tho
league would ask for a meeting OF tho
committee at once, and for an im-
mediate report. He aid the league
viii not ask for any hearing on tho
bill. taking the position that the ques-
ton has been thoroughly discussed
and passed upon by the people Of tho
State, and no hearing is necessary. II
is the desire of the league to expedite
the matter so that the vote may be
taken speedily in both senate and
house.
Personnel OF Committee
The committee is composed Of
Judge Martin Williams, chairman. and
Messrs. oliver, Milstead Land, Rad
ford. Myers, Barley. Stubbs Rolstpn.
Pennington, Clement. Horner and Bir-I
reli
That the enabling act will be more
favorahly acted on this session by
both branches of the general assem-
bly, is shown by the change In the
sentiment of the committee. which
will have charge of the bill. During
the session of 1912 the measure was
reported on unfavorably by the com
mittee. while this session 1t said that
a majority Of the committee OF prfvl-
leges and elections will vote for II.
This strong nndercurrent of feef~
ing in the house viii have Its effect
in the senate. it saGSf-.6, and the paar'
sage Of the bill bSlUle upper house II
freely predicted. The fight is daily
becoming more and more warm, and
while there is no open rupture. ru-
NOR declared that II the bill does not
pass the legislature this session there
is grave apprehension for the solidity
OF the Democratic party in Virginia.
Must BE Passed.
Thus far the bill. except in scat
tered cases has not been an issue I'm
the State. but lawyers and statesmen
declare that the sentiment of the peOs
pie has reached such depth as to
make the question of Statewide pro-
hlbition a serious one. and the rights
of the people to express their views on
the subject must be granted.
The enabling act is second to mono
in importance in the general assem-
bly,. if the talk Of the lobby Is a cri-
terion. On every side the talk Is wet
or dry. and discussions on the sub
iect are in progress wherever solons
meet.
Well defined rumors state that the
eight senators whose constituents have
already expressed their opinions at
the poll, and who have In most every
instance elected delegates on dry
platform. will vote for the enabling
act as soon as the measure is brought
TO a vote in the upper house. Strong
pressure is being brought to bear by
the people at home. but there Is an
other side. which has doomed danger
Gus during the last few days.
Lobbies large and small, big men
and little men, have been seen in tho
capitol. when the legislature was In
session, but time lis not recalled when
there has been such powerful body
as that to be found here this year.
I,obtdes At Work.
And they are all against the State
wide enabling act. They never loss
sight of a member. and one or more
OF those in the senate. who have been
referred TO as having exp srienccd
change of heart on the proposal to.
let the people of Virginia decide this
nomentous question for themselves.
are never allowed t, he alone for
more than Few moments at the time
when the legislature is not actually
in session.
Lawyers, who are known TO receive
fat fees for their services. are to be
found there at all hours. Rotund
brewers and local agents for dista-.
leries are there. and they are dancing
attendance on the members from
every section of the state. Ex-sena-3
tors are here to look out for the in-5
terests of the liquor men, ana they
are camping right on the trail Of those
who are wrestling with their con-
sciences. and. the enabling act. For-
mer judges are here. and they are
having a word to say in behalf OF the.
rights of the people" to have what
they want, except the right to vote on
the sale and manufacture OF liquor In
the State.
The Argument Used.
The argument is being used among
the senators from districts which have
gone dry to this effect: The election
OF member OF the house does not
affect you. You were not up in this
contest. Questions put to the candi-s
dates for the house can have no
district have not instructed you, and
there lis no obligation on you to vote
for the enabling act
VIII the lobby be able to accom-
plish it's mission? II the liquor men
were certain of their ground, WIN this
great army of men to- prevent the
enactment OF law or measure ~
permit the voters of the State to paaa,
On the question for themselves q
The .drys have not for q m0ment4
conceded that the vets will BE- ahaeS
te eefeat the statewide bill this yeeSx
They are at work, they are appealtNGIs
- the members to have some re9ArM
for the expressed VIII of the p&Opaes
as reflected In the most recent
lion. when dry men we're retatuNQ
the hnuse in every dieect3os &C.
The HfyH are anxI61a 10 lss 4
Siear-cuf Aeht on tim llGnGH n
.I,sey do not want 81 4Ikx y r. -
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