The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-01-22
PROH|B|T|ONLAW
CAN BE emf FORCED
Senator Webb Asserts That
Manly Officials Are All That Is
Needed to Make 1t Success.
ANTI-sALooN LEAGUE OPENS
g: % 80 Z y KS -
Important Reports to Be Sub
mitted at Sessions To-Day.
Delegates to Visit Capitol.

ELECT manly men to office and you
Will nnd that prohibition does pro-
hibit" said former United States SEN
ator W. X. Webb, of Tennessee, last
night. in reference TO the last feeble
barrier OF the liquor interests at the
conclusion of a strong address at the
opening session of the thirteenth an
nual convention of the Anti Saloon
League of Virginia, at Seventh Street
Christian Church. The speech, which
outlined the efforts OF sister State
10 eliminate the liquor traffic. was
greeted with applause and the speak
er was frequently urged TO continue.
The convention formally opened last
night. and the leaders OF the league
are predicting that the attendance will
be the greatest in the history OF the
organization. While hundreds of del
egates are expected in day, the large
auditorium of the church. In which all
business sessions Will be held. was
filled to capacity. and there were few
vacant seats in the gallery. No figures
were available, as the delegates Will
not be registered until to-day.
Governor William Hodges Mann pre-
sided. and, after a brief address. in
troduced the speakers. Governor Mann
congratulated the league on the large
attendance and the work accomplished
since the last convention and urged 1T
to, continue it's labors. He dwelt at
length on the value of a bill to pro-
hibit tho shipment of liquor into dry
territory, and spoke against the sale
OF liquor at the State Fair.
The first speaker Of the evening was
President j. w. Hough, Of the Anti :
Saloon League, who gave a review OF
the work of the temperance forces
since the day, forty years ago, when
several thousand children paladcd
PENNSYLVANIA Avenue. Washington in
the interests of prohibitions. until last
month, when many Of these same
marchers walked to the Capitol to pre-
sent a bill before Congress for ma :
tional prohibition. The temperance
sentiment, said Mr.. Hough. is In the
air. 1t has spread from all States to
the south of us. and 1t is tho duty of
Nirginians to continue its passage to
the North.
More than % per cent of the inmates
OF the Virginia State Pententary.
continued Mr.. Hough are natives OF :.
neighboring state. which Is now dry,
and Virginia is becoming the dump
ing ground for undesirables from
North Carolina. 1t will soon be the
bug house for three States. he as
serted.
The issue must be met at the ballot
box and In Congress, said Mr.. Hough.
and nc quoted an editorial from one of
the leading liquor journals to prove
his assertion Delegates to tho con-
vention were advised to see their state
Senators and urge upon them the duty
of passing the enabling act.
WINS Early Temperance Worker.
Senator Webb. one Of the earliest
temperance advocates Of Tennessee. n
lifelong school teacher. was the prin-
cipal speaker and for more than an
hour kept his largo audience SPELL
bound at his recital OF the long and
earnest struggle In his state against
liquor. Country people against the
overwhelming majorities from the
cities, he said. won the greatest Vic
tory of the century without the aid
of a single office holder i'm the State.
The temperance people," said SEN
ator Webb. were without leadership
or headquarters. The Legislature OF
1870 passed local option. law and
tho Governor vetoed IT. The people
were staggered, and for seven years
no further steps were takcn
''Fjnally an aged farmer, member
OF tho Legislature, u plain old fellow
without any education, noticed that
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