The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-23
MORE VOTES GIVEN
Continued from First page.l

Of night had fallen that the measure
could be brought to vote. The bali
will be sent TO the senate this morn
Ing, where, it is said, it will pass with
q handsome majority.
The debate started long before the
morning hour had expired The gal
leries and floor were crowded with
people Interested in this particular
bill. which gives the people OF the
State of Virginia the right 10 vote on
Statewide prohibition, and the speak
ers were frequently interrupted by the
cheering. ana it was not until Speaker
Cox had threatened to clear the hall
that the applause subsidized
The opponents Of the enabling act,
led by Mr.. Oliver. of Fairfax. put up
fight against it's passage. trying TO
postpone the vote until today, Ihey
declared that enough time had not
been allowed for the debate. For hours
they talked and haranged, but it was
to deaf ears. The majority OF the
house had come to Richmond with
minds made up. and instead of cut
ting down the vote, its majority was
increased by about seven votes which
the friends of the measure did not e&-
pect-
Great Crowd Gathers.
The attendance during the day was
almost reeord-hreaking. the crowds
overlooking the galleries into the halls,
giving the doorkkeepers no end of
trouble to keep the people from the
fioor Of the house.
After the perfunctory business be-
fore the house. the enabling act was
called up on it's third reaaing. The
interest was intense rs day after day
efforts had been made to dispose OF the
measure to keep 1T from blocking
further legislation. Ever since the leg
islature convened the bill has been the
main topic of conversation in both
branches of the general assembly and
its early disposal in both branches has
been eagerly sought.
Judge Martin Williams. of Giles. the
patron OF the enabling act. and Dem
ocratic floor leader OF the house. took
the floor. Judge Williams in opening
his short address said that he wanted
to congratulate the house OF delegates
and the people OF virginia that they
had at last arrived at the elimination
of the great question which had con-
fronted them for so many years
Work OF Good Women.
He said that in the near future the
question for which they had fought
would be put before them and they
could decide 1t to suit themselves This
great movement in eradicating tho
liquor evil had been started by the
women Of Virginia and thep taken up
blythe tai yasstsy- and tia -seE tisassst hsd
spread throughout the State. He
spoke at length on the growth OF this
powerful Sentiment which had as Its
foundation the women of the Com
monwealth.
He declared the constitutional con-
vention eight years ago had recognized
this feeling and had given the power
to the State to carry out that senti-
ment and the members of the house
itself were only here in Difference to
that feeling I'VE are here to give the
people the right to vote on this sub
ject that they want, and by the
eternal. they shall have that right"
Judge williams took his seat while the
chamber applauded.
Mr.. Myers Opposes.
Mr.. Myers. delegate from the city
OF Richmond, the first opponent of the
enabling act, made an eloquent attack
on the bill. directing his assault on the
alleged unconAtitutionality OF the
measure and tho fact That the ahau-