The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-05-15
JUDGE GEORGE l.. CHRISTIAN
OITLINI:S ICRHNSE OF MEEEI Y {

=
OUTLINES PURPOSE or MEETING
Judge George l.. Christian opened the
meeting at $50 o'clock with u short
sketch OF the movement which resulted
In the formation OF the Virginia Asso-
citation for Local Self-Government, and
of the general object TO which Il Is
dedicated. Since allying himself with
the movement. he said he had received
many communications expressing So
licitudc for his welfare. He was not
deferred he said. and felt abundantly
able To care for himself.
Judge Christian told OF his unraltcr-
ing allegiance to tho local option prin-
ctpie of government expressed by Jef-
fcrson in his aphorism which says
that tho general government has no
right to interfere with the private
anairs of its citizens CompulSion
made hypocritcs. NOT converts. he said.
and the compulslon OF the proposed
state wide prohibitory law is designed
To Invade the domain of private rights
and ncgate the very principles OF gov
eminent which form the genius OF the
American republic,
Eppa liunton, Jr.. read the platform
of the virginia Association for Local
Sc!f-GoVernmen;. and told OF the move
ment begun last April which led TO
its adoption. Judge Christian placed
tho platform before the mass-mectinE,
and the gathering voted TO adopt 1t
AS it's own by an overwhelming ma
jority.
SlCII LAWS SERVE NO USEFUL
END, SAYS DIR. SIT ART Mcguire
81 am not here to make "A speech. but
to set an example" said Or. Stuart
Mcclure. who was the next speaker
on the program. "If l believed that
State wide prohibition would be good
thing for Virginia / would be for
State wide prohibition. My study and
observation OF prohbitory laws In other
f.tt hnx ln. actin InI
that such laws serve no useful end"
Besides being opposed to State wide
prohibition because II was not demo-
cratic. and on economic grounds be-
cause II contemplated Wholesale de-
struction of vast interests and prop
critics, said DR.. Mcclure. he was op-
posed to II for physical reasons.
wine. beer and whIskey ere not In
themselves bad" sail DIR. Mcclure"
Their moderate use Is even beneficial
The demand or mankind for Il stimu-
liant cannot be stcmmcd. The human
lace has used stinu!ants from The
earliest times Only in the countries
inhabited by the yellow races has the
use of alcohol gained no foothold and
there the demand for u stimulant has
been supplied by drugs far more IN
FURIOUS in their effects -
Recent observations Of the effect OF
prohibition In such cities rs NIcmphl.,
Savannah. Nashville and Atlanta. said
DR.. Mcclure. have convinced him IF
the utter failure of prohibition to pro-
hitit where II runs contrary To public
sentiment In these critics, he sail.
bars run openly III fragrant violation
OF the law. The same conditions lie
was certain, would prevail IA Richmond
and other cities OF this State. IL an
attempt Is made to force them to con-
form to laws to which the majority Is
opposed
MOVEMENT INDEPENDENT
or LIQIUR INTEWEs'rS
Joseph c. Taylor emphasized the tn
dependence OF the Virginia Association
Tor Local Self -Govcrnn, OF nnv re-
!'tion towards the saloon interests
II helf no brief for the liquor business.
The association. he said. composed OF
men whose character ana reputation
cannot be called into question, Is de-
voted wholly TO the idea set forth in
lis platiorm--thc preservation OF local
option as iutcSral principle OF
american government The iigh, upon
state wide prohibition. he said follows
from The cncroac"mcnt on this prin-
ciple that this movement presagcs
On the subject OF prohibition itself
Mr.. Taylor held positive views. Men.
ne said. can no moro be mace by law
abstaircrs than they can be compelled
by law TIC be religious The solution
or the temperance problem. lie thought,
lies in gradual education of the
public to the evils of intemperon",
and tho abuse of alcoholic LIQUORS. and
not in the imposition OF laws from
without
From the beginnings OF white civil,
Zat'on In this State. said Mr. Tavlor
NirEinians have been schooled in tho
tcncts OF personal liberty and local self.
government. He would not insult tile