The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-06-12


print to ventilate my views and opinions. but
having received a copy of DR. MCCLURE speech
"fore ;ho Virginia Association for Local self
Government from Mr. Beh p Owen together
with request fer expression of my views
on Statewide prohibition, | presenting 70
give expression 10 views which are q variance
Ilth- those f- -McCiuire--Aud ai.-.4-.lallht~
less he will consider me highly presHmptiouS
stiH / know that he will concede u the
/ right TO my opinion. and likewise the fiGht to
express 1t. In the first place allow me 20 say
that ] belong to that class or well meaning,
hut misguided and misinformed ft?) people TO
whom DR. Mcclure refers.
DR.. Mcclure congratulates himself m The
company in which he finds himself ia the Nir-
enia Association for Local Self Government Let
me inform him that in the country, the midi
tions reversed, and that the respect lie and
best class of citizens opposed thc saloon.
for since the country ceased TO nave oc7 self
government, there are few but who are finan-
cially or otherwise interested in the lauer traf-
fic Likewise, they opposed thouGh good
Democrats, to that so-called Jeffersnninn doc
tr!ne of local seif-government which permits
the cities to sell liquor. but denies the country
Tho same privilege. but does permit The cities
~ sell it in this seifsame country. Why did
not Richmond apply her boasted doctrine Of
local sefgovernment when she annexed Man
chester. and that she In annexinc Barton
Heights Highland Park and other suburbs
The Virginia Association for Local Self Govern
ment knows fully we'll that we, here in the
III.
we cannot legally sell liquor even If we want.
but that Richmond sell it to us IN spite of
local self-government. or what not.
In spite of the fact THAT the moderate use Of
alcohol may sometimes. under certain ercurn-
stances, be beneficial. as DR.. Mcclure says still
It is "A nonessential and no ono knows better
than Dr. Mcclure that it is ono of the mos.
potent causes of disease, both in the users of
It themselves and their offspring that exists
today. OF 594 epileptics examined by Fere, 2s5
had parents who hard drinkers OF 572
gases Of epilepsy investigated by Echeverria
2a7 were traceabe directly to alcohol.
The conception Of seven epileptics svas re-
GENTLY investigated and reported in tho Journal
Of the American Medical association h. a prom
! inent Western physician. It was ascertain ed
! that in all seven, their fathers nebriated
when they were begotten And Yet none Of
the hard drinkers, or even regular
users of liquor. These simply happe ned he
instances in which the dates of conception could
he accurately determined. Think Of the number
| of times II cannot be determined and when one
| or the other parent may have been intoxicated
! Investigations into the physiological and patho-
logical effects Of alcohol all agree that 1t is a
poison even in small doses, that it abstracts
water from the tissues, and is potent etiologi~
cal factor in the production of var3ous chronic
diseases OF the liver kidneys stom> and brain.
I Ali physicians are likewise familiar with the
/ fact that large percentage Of the inefficiency
| throughout the country ia due the use of
I alcohol, That it is potent If crime all
wide prohibition law not TO he Violated. like
every other law under the sun. would be ex-
I peCtng too much. The local option laws are
violated. SO the anti trust Iaws and the
laws against stealing and murder Whoever
heard of that being given eNcuse for not
having such laws? That Statewide prohibi-
ton law will limit the manufacture and sa e
! Of ardent spirits Is apparent, or else why do
the liquor people fight it?
DIR Mcclure shows his unfa miliarity with
country conditions when he says hat the coun-
try merchant Will not so TO dr. city to buy
his goods In the first place, he IS under no
necessity to SO to the city all % buy goods
since the travelling statesmen take his orders
and supply all his needs. In the zecond place,
he deals with the wholesaler 40 gives him
/ the best goods for the least money freight
| rates Of course being taken js,o considera-
ton
Dry towns have not so far show a decrea Sc
/ IN immigration, SO ] do not see What grounds
pr Mcclure bases his assertion that people
| from distant States will not locate in dry ter
rhoIy. But If they do no., II must agree
that drinking and drunken immjerants are un.
/ desirable citizens. That old fallacy that driv-
ing ont the saloon hurts business was worn
threadhare during local option lays and has
been too often exploded to be NV considered
/ seriously.
But aside from all the other rcasons~ for the
abolition If the saloon, there is he great moral
one. and ought not DIR. Mcclure md all others
who can take liquor in moderation or not ut
( all, IL they choose, to he willing to renounce
/ their own indulgences, which are certainly not
essential, for the benefit of the weak brother
ana tho coming generation?
\ COUNTRY DOCTOR.
i Ivy Depot Va, June 4, 1911.