The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-08-26
KEEzElL IN
STRONGAOORESS TO
STAUNT0N VOTERS
REPLIED TO NEWS LEADERS
ATTACK AND DISCUSSED
TAXATION.

staunton. Aug Ex-senator Keezell
addressed large crows of farmers
and citizens of stanton here yester-
day In the public square in behalf of
Statewide prohibition. His address
was strong and emphatic, having a
great effect on his hearers
Senator keezell was introduced by
Mr. r. &. koiner, who made illusions
TO the senator's position as a farmer.
a taxpayer, and a senator Senator
KeeZell was warmly welcomed and
in A brief introduction said that he
proposed to show by figures that the
State was not in need Of license taxes
from liquor dealers He was opposed
to the saloon. Everybody seemed TO
be opposed to them. No one spoke
good word for them. They spoke
of local option, of self-government,
and all other things, but they dared
not raise their voices for the saloon.
They always fought under some
guise that would deceive. The effect
Of liquor was briefly discussed. No
one wanted to employ a drunkard, the
moderate drinker was also under the
ban.
They now are trying to hecloud the
issue by saying that taxes would be
increased. They said the same thing
In West Virginia. They tried to
scarce the people OF West Virginia by
holding over them the threat that
they might have to pay few dollars
more taxes The people OF West Viz
ginia in every county except two gave
a majority against the liquor people
and this was their answer to the at
tempt to scare them.
Senator Keezell went tmme dateiy
into the question OF taxation. and
showed that II there were no saving
in the matter Of criminal expenses,
pauper expenses. and insane expenses.
and the taxpayers were called upon
to make up the total amount OF
licenses now paid TO the State by the
saloons. The increase on every $1,000
In assessed valuation would be fifty
six cents He showed from the audi
tors report that the liquor revenues
amounted tn 1913 to s4S7.000 round
numbers. and this amount was a
paltry sum when distributed To
vote against ones conviction for a
money consideration Ia exactly the
me thing as TO sell ones vote for
money.
He paid his respects 10 the city
people who expect TO gull the country
people by all sorts of misstatements
and false assertions. He showed that
they were threatening the farmers
with heavy taxation while they refuse
10 pay their increase.
The farmers elect eighty-six mem
mers OF the legislatures. the cities
elect sixteen members and he de-
clared thtat these eighty-six country
members were not such fools as to
permit sixteen men from the cities 10
increase the taxes on the farmers and
lower their own
that his record was cha meleon like.
He said long years ago wien ne was
the youngest senator after long and
hard work they passed local option
bin He was then opposed to the
saloon. He is now opposed to the
saloon. In 1904 he voted for the
Mann bill In committee. That was
a prohibition bill for IS per cent. and
the men who are now for local option
We're then for the saloons and are vet
for the saloons ! changed nv posi-
time to do what was best to abolish
the saloon In 1910 because of in
creased appropriations the effect II
the panic 1907, and for other rea-
sons the finance committee Of the
senate was in a hole. IT was not an
opportune time. ] feared that sub
Knitting the question at that time to
the people would not be wise and
would probably result In defeat.
was for temperance then, am for
temperance now. I am charged with
inconsistency because voted against
the STROBE bill Fools never change
wsie men do, Thank God I am with
the ministers the State, Thank
God am with the good women OF
Virginia.
And ever have done anything
that would pustify ANYBODY In class
ing me with the saloons. apologize for
such action The saloons are against
me. they have always been against
me. I am against them and have al
WAYS been against them, The fact
that the News Leader says / am try
ing TO get into the band wagon shows
al least that the News Leader knows
where the band wagon is It knows
that the Statewide band wagon is
going on to certain victory
Careful investigation of the differ
ence Of the States finances in 1909
and now showed that in 1909 the
States revenues were $500, 0o0;
and in 1918 thev had Increased to
81. 600, and the average increase
has been more than 100000 per year.
Adding the natural increase of taxes
to $T.465 600, the revenue for 1914
WIFI ne eIsbot"uu OF more IMAM az
100, 900 IN excess Of the amount the
State received in 1909. when 1t SEEM
ed 10 need the s5ss.oo0 The State
therefore can spend 100000 more
this year than II did in 1909. without
one cent Of liquor license money.
Send good men to the legislature and
you will not need one cent increase
Of taxation. and II taxation Is In
creased It will be because Of ex-
travagant appropriations made by
men whom you send to represent you.
7 pay any man who works for me
50 per month more If he will refrain
from drink.
Referring to the statement made by
u, De Jarnette that eight times as
MANY patients are sent 70 the asylum