The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-08-04
Clark sville, Va
Drive the EVIL Out.


Sir,-As the campaign for Statewide prohihi-
ton progresses It becomes more and more APP
parent that the whissey ring realizes the gravity
of the nefarious traffic. AS was to be expected,
The members Of the ring ARE busy circulating
misleading and erroneous reports in the vain
nope of hetsuiltng the unsuspecting and unwary.
The latest buebear is the tobacco business; but
this report IS so ridiculous that no rational
person will pretend to give 1t credence. 1t will
be recalled that this is the Same old bludgeon
which was waved In a local option campaign in
ths state in 1886, so this IS not issue by
any means
The Trurnpeter" the organ Of the whskey
ring in Richmond is authority for the state
ment thai Statewide prohibition would strike
ae@n prosperity and increase immortality. tan
alton and dtsrespect for law" Now an asser-
tCn is easily made. but sometimes II becomes
GtsTlcult II substantate one careleSsly made. II
would be interesting reading for one Of the mem
hors OF the whisley ring to tell Us just how
statewide prohibition could possibly have such
ear-rcachin4 influence in the opposite direction
Intended by its advocates But this statement
IKE many others made by opponents Of state
WIDE prohibition, is the veriest rot and an In
suit to intelligence.
Another argument q that Statewide prohibit
ftun would infringe upon the principle of local
self government Tho cry is: why should one
anetheT section whether 1t shall have whiskey
IL, r not" In answer to this, let ask why
ae cities % Richmond, Norfolk. Roanoke,
5Hehburg and others are allowed to ship whis-
ksy IN car lots to sections where the people
have set the seal OF their potential dtsapprOvai
s14n the whisNev traffic? The theory OF local
5pcfon Is all right but IN practice. far as
he whiskey traffic is concerned, 1t ia mis-
cradle failure When Il law is enacted by one
community for the government Of that 3arttcu-
r. r txf yyJaf rights
II adjoining community 1t Ii plain that such
law should he remedIed. II possible. Now
are all agreed that local option does not serve
It's intended purpose. go the advocates OF tenn
peranee propose Statewide prohibition as a
remedy 1t " contended that the State Of vtr-
gtnia has right 70 enforce PROHIBITING, be-
cause the 1hialey traffic is local issue. Eu. II
so, why Is ii that the State throws such strong
restrictions around the traffic. The laws OF
tho State specify when. how and whom
yhiskey shall he sold and shall not he sold II
also specifies that saloons shall be closed all
holidays. election days and many other oc-
easfors. Fray tell what other enterprises
are subject to such restrictions. The answer Is
obvious: The whiskey business Is not legitt-
mate ore, and is allowed exist only through
and by special privilege If 1t were not for the
filthy incre paid by the saloons to the State. the
traffic would not be tolerate in our midst But
because Of the enormous revenue paid the State
ly the whiskey interests 1t is allowed to flourish
and to make drunkaras to despon homes and
to increase crime. poverty and misery.
If the whiskey traffic Is wrong. then IT should
not be allowed to exist, The fact that II pays
a large sum in the way Of revenue each year
ana that IL is sanctioned by the laws of our State,
is no reason for It's existence No one will con-
tend that tho State has right TO foist any
business upon the citizens thereof which traffics
In human souls, disrupts society and brings
poignant sorrow to a multitude of homes
The lave Of Virginia expressly prohibit bar
tenders from selling whiskey to confirmed
druatards But why NOT prohibit them from
selling the vile stuff to the younger class and to
iaen in rho manly vigor Of life? How incon-
slstent to allow them TO sell whlsKey to a man
until he becomes habitual drunkard until he
IS diseased In body and mind, until he is in
capacitated from earning an honest living and
rendered unfit for society, and then say stop
selling him whiskey" After this Is done the
traffic must seek to make drunkards out OF the
young men and boys, who must be the drunkards
4 few years hence If the traffic exists.
Again they argue that Statewide prohibition
cannot he enforced. 7 firmly believe the old
State has the power TO enforce any law that she
Aares to pace on the statute books. The aues-
ton OF enforcement rests largely with the off,
GERS, If the officers now in charge will not en-
force or try To enforce the law then should
endeayor to elect men to the different offices
WHO III. ENFORCE THE LAWS,
! sincerely hope and believe that the people
of this grand old Commonwealth will eradicate
this notor rus business admittedly the worst on
earth, and the remaining relic OF barbarisn
from midst The bugle OF tempera nee is
now calling for recruits; let all who believe In
lettering our civic condition come TO the front
and have part in removing the demon which
Is daily sending widowhood and orphanaGe to
many homes and binding the eyes OF mothers
and children with tears of lifelong agony
w. r. BEVERLY.
Rocky Mount