The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-02-19
THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 10. 1914.
ENABLING ACT Is LAW.
VOTE OF PEOPLE NEXT
STEP TOWARDS DRY STATF

the protest flied by Senator Early on behalf of
the opponents Of the measure, the enabling act
is now law. The election under it on the Ques-
ton of Statewide prohibition will be held on the
fourth Tuesday in September next, when the
people of Virginia by their vote Will decide
whether or not the licensed saloon shall continue
to do business in this State after November ],
1916
Senator Early's contention that the conference
report on the amendments to the enabling act
CURED a majority. or constitutional vote, In the
senate seems 10 have made az little impression
on Governor Stuart az it did upon The Virginion.
We are gratihed to find that our conception OF
what the governors ruling would be correct.
and that our view that the enabling act had been
legally passed is sustained by the governor and
the attorney general.
The great fight for the~statute under which the
Statewide prohibition election will be held. being
finally settled, preparations for the great battle
at the polls will soon begin in dead earnest The
Anti-Saloon league leaders. to whom the credit
that they have a determined and strongly en-
trenched enemy with which to cope With all
the influence wlsch unlimited money can bring
TO bear the liquor interests Of the State will
make desperate fight for the continuance of
the profitable traffic. The efforts of the temper
ance forces will have TO be directed toward
thorough organization and general awakening
OF the people. The sentiment of the State un.
doubtedly is for prohihition-we have not the
shadow OF a doubt Of this The greatest danger
that confronts those who seek to make Virginia
dry is that OF indifference and failure to vote
To insure certain victory. full vote is neces-
sary TO insure full vote, hard, persistent work
will be required. We feel certain that the same
men who have brought about the passage OF the
enabling act will continue their efforts with IN.
creased zeal and energy. and see that there is
rnmplete organization and plans laid for fufi
vote
Under the terms OF the law, petitions for
the calling of an election must be signed by
qualified voters TO the number of Is per cent Of
the vote cast in the general election in November
last Upon receiving petitions so signed. the
governor must within ten days issue a call for
the special election 10 be held on Tuesday, Sep
tember end next. The vote will be upon the
direct issue for Statewide prohibition, and
against Statewide prohibition. If there shall be
a larger vote for Statewide prohibition, as we
feel quite certain that there will be. the manu-.
facture and sale of liquor in Virginia will be
prohibited after November ], 1916, or about
twenty-sx months after the vote is taken. The
manufacture OF beer. wine and cider is Der.
mitted under tho bill, but with the limitation
that beer and wine shall not be sold in Virginia
and shall only be shipped outside Of the State
into territory where the sale is legal
The friends 81 the enabling act, indeed all who
wish TO honest expression OF the wishes
81 the people, are to be congratulated upon hay.
that could possibly be secured Those permitted
% vote In this election include all men who were
qualified to vote IN the last November election
Ed who qualified by paying their poll tax prior
to December 9Th last to vote in the June election
and all who may become of age by september
aa2244 TIE fixing Of tiesc limitations 10 the
electorate, protects the registration books against
padding. and submits this great moral question
TO the electorate, which in all probability renre-
saafs the normal voting strength of the State
The question OF Statewide prohibition is
great moral issue rather than party or political
Issue, We gratihed that after years Of
aarnest pleading the general assembly has con