The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-07-31
METHODISTS FROM
NORFOLK DISTRICT
TO BOYCOTT FAIR
CONFERENCE ADOPTS STRONG
TEMPERANCE RESOLUTIONS.
ADDRESS By DIR. CANNON.

Norfolk, Va, July 3o--The session
of the Norfolk District conference
came to an end here today. after a
highly interesting and prontablc
course of meetings. Perhaps the most
! interesting event of the session was
the action OF the conference on the
question Of Statewide prohibition, In
regard to which the conference un-
animously adopted strong resolutions
commencing. the action Of the last
general assembly in passing the enab-
ling act, and the great work OF the
IAnti-Saloon league OF Virginia. The
report strongly endorsed the work OF
DIR. James Cannon and his associates
in the leadership of the fight against
the legalized liquor traffic, In re-
gard to the action Of the directors
of the Virginia State fair in securing
a license for a saloon on the fair
grounds the conference expressed its
strong disa pproval OF the action and
urged that Methodists within the
bounds Of the district refrain from at
tending the fair IL liquor Is sold on
the grounds.
In Liquor Partnership.
The report was adopted with much
enthu siasm, after a strong address
had been delivered on the subject by
DR.. James Cannon, Jr., superintendent
OF the Anti-Saloon league OF Virginia.
DIR. Cannon's address was a strong
deliverance and arrangement OF the
legalized liquor traffic and its sup
porters in the State. He stressed the
fact that the church Is at present II
partner in the liquor traffic because the
traffic is supported by q law of the
whole State, not of any single locality,
and that because of the fact that the
law of the whole State backed up the
saloon. legaiizes 1t to do business.
and participates in the profits OF the
business, the State and every citizen
and institution In 1t is in partnership
with the liquor business. The issue
in the campaign, he eaid. is whether
this partnership shall continue. DR..
Cannon showed clearly however. that
The much boasted revenue argument
Is in fact deiusion and a snare in
that the price paid Is in reality a
measly pittance in comparison With
the fact that it gives to the saloon
keeper the right to debauch and
the State. And further, there is an
actual loss TO the State by reason of
the fact that the expenses necessi
tated by the saloon more than offset
the amount paid In taxes.
Funds From Outside.
Taking up the question OF the OPP
position to the prohibition movement,
contentious made by the supporters OF
the saloon. He showed the faiiacy
OF the argument of local self-govern-
ment that Is concerned about the lib
erty of the city but takes no notice of
the needs of the country districts. He
exhibited a card being mailed to local
dealers In the State by the National
Liquor Dealers association that gave
conclusive evidence OF the fact that
this national aeaoctattDr u sending
funds into Virginia to be used In the
State campaign. He also recited in
cfdents in the history Of the passage
OF the Mann law when members OF
the present Local Self-Government
! league had come before Legislative
Of prohibitory legislation for the rural
districts, but had fought for privileges
/ for the large social clubs OF the city.
! No Sleeping ut Switch.
Concluding DIR. Cannon strongly en-
phasized the need for unceasing vigil
lance and energy by the temperance
forces, and also declared in strong
| terms that there must be no feeling
| Of oyerconfidence that might lessen
the chances Of the cause for success
/ The success OF the fight. he said, de-
ponds on the size OF the vote that
| goes to the polls. and the danger to
the dry cause he predicted would be In
the lessening OF activity on the part
; of the temperance people after the
great achievement of the petition sign
ing. What we need in this fight is
not to let men dodge the real issue.
The fight Is bigger than any man.
and personalities must have no place
/ in the contest 1t is bigger than any
/ little matter OF tobacco that the liquor
people have tried to inject into the
campaign, and that has nothing what
ever to do with it,
| Other items OF the closing session
were addresses by DIR. r. II. Bennett
and DR.. g. c. Kelly on missions, and at
! the final meeting. sermons by Rev
/ T. A. Smoot. DIR. S.. c. Hatcher and
! other leaders Of The conference.