The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-09-03
rnE SALOON AND THE LaBoRING MAN.

n THE SALOON AND THE EABokiNt MN
The liquor traffic In Virginia has been driven
Is It's last ditch Every legitimate argument 81
there be SUCH that might be advanced for the
r<ssnfion of the saloon in Virginia has been eS'
pioaed There remain now for It's organs. It's
atrocates, and It's hireiings only personal abuse
~ temperance workers. slanderous and spurious
assessments about decent citizens and lawabidins
xoxnmunitses, and near sensational exposure If
saap bubble imaginings
Ii its desperate efforts to continue its exis-
3ence the saloon is making appeal to the labor
7f.zk nssn Of Virginia. THIS appeal II attempts
- make fareefal by employing, wherever II can
acnntrul them. the agents and the agencies of
eexanssed labor itself, holding over laboring men
NJ threat OF union coercion in case the desires
md behests OF the liquor leaders are not obeyed
There Il no natural tie between the saloon and
The laborsng man OF all virginias citizens he Is
HE one for whom Statewide prohibition holds
suut promise Of the greatest benefit What has
HE saloon ever done for the laborer? Has it
shattered him and restored him 10 positions he
has lost through indulgence In its wares? Has
sa1t rescued his savings from the NAV that lis ever
open to devour them? Has it clothed his wife
md children after taking its counter the
mcney he has earned TO feed his family? What
~ the liquor traffic done for the laborar that
5usttfes ii in appealing for his vote to continue
w ii Virginia.
ss The iaborer is the man to whom the legalized
III 49, ,J>ft x0L1 ro1y
his slender earnings II exacts the largest toll to
AMell It's bursting Golfers. Wet interests speak OF
1aind tigers that will arise under prohibition as
1noagh such things do not now exist under regu
s;laf1Ou and license under local option and other
tornns Or control of the liquor traffic The liquor
sl11nac knows no law and respects no order
n The great majority of laborng who drink
sMhiskey in Virginia today get their liquor from
sf1keenSed saloons. The Vir9inian knows too well
s3fhn character Of Virginia laborers to counte
nance the suggestion that drinking men are such
a61eves to whiskey or so addicted to law breaking
3tkat the much Wanted blind tigers would receive
Snythtng like the patronage that is now given the
wen saloon by laboring men. The tiger lacks
1eke elements that appeal to the laborer for 1t IL
n Instability and not strong drink that leads him
&Eo the giided halls where he may meet and
RfainEIe with his fellows 1t Is the lure Of the
saas$ In these gilded halls that destroys his hope
sAngvnurs his savings. and sends him home reel
*t1ng drunkard to curse and kick. the wife OF his
name into terror or to death The saloon has ar
appeal thai the tiger in the back alley can nevel
lave; ii is this appeal that is fatal.
I.aboring men of Virginia the cause Of sobriet,
asd Righteousness. the cause that can, serve you
and your interests most is standing at your door
Ek vote for II is vote for your home, for youl
Wife and your child, for larger hope. a greater
poasibilitv. abundant promise John G
yemen has said Give the laharing men chance
I'D they will drive the saloon out of business
L XCn have that chance in Virginia. VAL yor
nrOve the truth Of your leaders assertion, oil
ssNll you vote for the retention of an institution
q tjssA Ii yosr own worst enemy and the destroyer
HsOL your most cherished hopes?