The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-08-04
WANT TO KNOW PURPOSE
OF ANT|-sALO0N LEAGUE
down rs to Crusade Against
Tobacco.
DEMAND AN INVESTIGATION
Tobacco Growers Alarmed at Sug-
gestion That War on Tobacco VIII
Follow Statewide Election on
Prohibition OF Sale OF Liquor.

Alarmed at the prospect OF n Stlte-
wide night on tobacco following Tho
state widc crusade against liquor. the
farmers of Dunenburg County have re-
Gucsted State President Gaunaway. OF
me FARMERS Union. to Investigate the
situation. and to confer with Rev
James Cannon. superintendent OF the
Anti Saloon League. OF Virginia. and
ascertain in definite form the purposes
OF that organization in regard TO n
3cnera! movement against tobacco
The action follows the adoption of
resolutions by the Tobacco Trade of
Richmond. in which reference was
made To editorials In leading prohibi
ton papers. These editorials referred
TO plan for = general crusade against
the raising. curing. sale. manufacture
or use Of tobacco, and Indicated that
following the adoption of the proposed
state wide prohibition act az TO liquor
steps would be taken TO secure similar
laws as TO tobacco.
The announcement created great in
tcrest. not only among the army OF
manufacturers and sellers Of tobacco
IN the cities OF Virginia, but an even
deeper interest among tho planters.
whose lVin; Is tied up In the SUCCESS
OF that crop. The Victoria Farmers
Union. OF Luncnbur;r County. at re-
cent meeting, discussed the action OF
The Tobacco Trade of Richmond in dc
iali Unwilling To take sides in so i'm =
poriant and far-rcachlug Il matter un
I'll furnished with fun information as
TO the purposes OF the Anti-Saloon
l.ea"ue. the union adopted the fol-
lowing:
Having seen the resolutions adopted
ny the Tobacco Trade of Richmond
charging the leaders Of the prohibition
'isht now being wascd in Virginia that
IN cTcnt he State goes dry on Septcm %
victory " Ep l. ;r,
ming of an attempt TO prohibit tn.
sale OF tobacco in Virginia. as we'll as
prohibit the culture OF the same. the
Anti-Saloon League being behind this
movement
therefore. resolved. !. Tha, VIC.
the Victoria Farmers Union, now as
sc;nbicd. concur with the Tobacco
Trade Of Richmond. that TO forbid ;h,
culture of tobacco in Virginia would
II" to prohibit one OF the larres, and
most rcmunmerat!vc crops in Virginia
and farmers would be deprived of the
only crop that would furnish them
any ready money.
Therefore, resolved. .. That we IA
vor an investigation as 70 whether or
not the Anti-Saloon League, coupled
with the leaders OF the prohibition
hSh: now being waEcd in Virginia.
nave any such intent rs charged by
the Tobacco Trade Of Richmond. and
after said investigation Is complc.ed
and results shew that they intend to
make the fight on tobacco, as charged
then VIC. the Victoria Farmers Union.
condemn the Anti-S:.loon Lcague. or
any ether institution, because of their
unc2lled-for and unjustifIable attack
upon the farmers of Virginia, which
attack. If successful. would bankrupt
Virginia and force the children TO alb
solutc poverty and want
therefore. the Victoria Farmers
Union severely critlcizes the Anti-Sa-
lo"n league, headed by Rev. James
S"hho"' ana the leaders OF the pro-
hibltion tight in Virginia because of
their unjust method 10 convert their
unreasonable demands into legislation,
as the Tobacco Trade OF Richmond
charges them with not making their
plans public as to tho fight on the
culture OF tobacco In Virginia. In event
me state goes dry. The Fundamental
principle of the Farmers lion is to
protect themselves from such short
cuts and inroads as the Anti-Saloon
League and the leaders of the prpbi-
pition fight are attempting to launch
upon them il is a sacred duty in
cumbent upon every union man
farmer) 10 do all In his power to
absolutely avoid such scandal being
forced upon the farmers Of Virginia
as the Anti-Saloon League and the
leaders OF tho prohibition fight have
planned in their secret discourse. be-
hind closed DOORS as charged by the
Tobacco Trade of Richmond.
DO 1T resolved, 3, That after an in
vestigation is made, as 10 whether or
not. the Antl-Saloon League and the
leaders OF the prohibition fight. intend
to make this fight upon tho farmers
of Virginia by attempting TO forbid the
sale and culture of tobacco in Vir-
ginia as charged by the Tobacco Trade
of Richmond, and results OF said in
vestigation show that the AntiSaloon
League and tho leaders of the prohibit
ton fight have been misquoted. and
they do not intend to have anything
to do with legislation as to forbidding
the sale and culture of tobacco in Vir-
ginia, then these resolutions In all their
details, are null and void
"Be it resolved. 4, That State Pres
idcnt Gannaway Is hereby requested to
confer with Rev. James Cannon as to
whether or not the Anti-Saloon League
intends TO do as charged by the To-
bacco Trade of Richmond and report
result of conference TO the secretaries
of each county union. and do so at the
earliest date possible.
&c. T. ALLEN. Secretary,
w ?. SMITH, President.
Victoria Union. No. 1876. Lunenburg
rnupiv Va Jnlu