The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-08-16

Cnfinowie, Smyth County, Va.
Facts About Prohibition In North Carolina
and Danyilie.
In the letter which follows one Of the largest
tobacco warehouse men In Virginia gives the
Local Sem-Government league striking
facts about the operation Of prohibition in North
Carolina and In Danville:
Danviile, Va, Aug. s, 1914.
Mr.. Ben p. Owen, Jr..
Richmond. Va
Dear Sir:
in receipt Of your letter and also the
speech of Hon. Royal f. Cabell. You want to
know what think of It. / will try to give you
my views same. very much surprised
that prohibition, according to his statement,
IS such a failure, and ruinous to State and
city. I have known right much myself about
prohibition the past few years. l know it does
rot entirely prohibit In North Carolina and in
eur city or any other dry State. bat it greatly
curtaiis the amount used know that property
in North Carolina both in county and city. is
wo4fh far more than it six years ago under
license. Two farms was interested in in North
Carolina are worth three times rs much today
under prohibition they were six years ago.
and improvements have been put
them.
Here in our city, and I get my information
from our freight and express books there is not
ene-tenth as much liquor sent here as there
was when we had fourteen open saloons. 1t
may be different in other States and cities, but
{ am telling you what / know ii did in North
Carolina and city.
1t seems strange. according TO Mr., CahelfE
statement. that If more whiskey and beer is
consumed in dry States that all OF the distil-
ters and brewers would be out with their agents
iryine TO carry Virginia dry. to Increase
their sales
If you believe that prohibition does not pro
htbtt In city write me, and l can give you
The OF some people that are chain
for selling mi viii prahih bill
All Of our people, with a few exceptions. that
oppose Statewide prohibition have been very
much opposed 10 local option until now. The
same that fought in local option
fight for personal liberty snow / sorry
that the tobacco board Of your city and the
leaders Of your league are CHASING our farmers,
no raise tobacco, as being in A business to
pare with tho saloon business. You are trying
e. get them to vote for local option and YOU
would help save their tobacco business by your
vote when the vote comes against It., which, in
my mind, viii not in our day and gem
GRAFTON.
Knowing the tobacco farmers Of Virginia as
do. you cannot catch them with this kind OF
bait. I WIS raised a tobacco farm until
Was twenty-four wears old and for the past
twenty-five years 1 have been selling tobacco
commission for the farmers of this State
The past season sold nine~milan pounds. and
nome of my farmer friends are afraid of being
r9n out Of the tobacco business. az TREY do not
consider they are in a business to be classed
with whiskey that ruins the homes If cur coun-
ry ard causes nearly ali the crimes Of eur
State.
You sert a dozen mon Of cur firm this morn
ing the Trumpeter. ard other wet literature
Every Of them are Statewide men, and will
Sc vote September %. The cartoon YOU sent
showing t3e prosperity Of Virginia with al of It's
factories mills. shops etc,, is very good. bat
Il did not have a single cut of q saloon distil-
lery brewery, y looks like you would have
had them In the picture to have made all COM
pie;e !f You think 1t good for Virginia and
It's people.
| felt Hike I wanted YOU 10 know these facts
and ! will also send copy of this letter 10 The
Firginian for Publication. thc papers Of your
city outside 9f The Nirgnen, give very little
news favorabia to the temperance cause.
If you or any reader of this letter whether
they favor Statewide local option. care to
write ana ask me questions, YOU at liberty
to do so. ana VIII give you any information /
can
Very truly.
NJ O. NELSON