The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-07-03

printing OF a few OF these. Here is of
the best Secretary Gwen has received:
Fredericksburg, Va June 20, 1914,
Mr. Ben F. Owen, Jr.,
- Secretary Local Self Government Association,
Richmond, Va.
My Dear Sr.--I have your letter of June 8
enclosing copy of the speech of Mr.. Royal e.
Cabell attorney of your city. ! beg to thank
YOU for Mr.. Cabelis argument in defending
the liquor and the jug trade Of Rich
nond, which your association Is ably cham
pioning. on reading your letter it is dfrcuit
10 determine whether it is meant to be taken
in serious or humorous vein, Now, Brother
owen, Up, are you not trying to establish
reputation humorst and to appropriate
the mantle OF the, late Mark Twain Could
you mean otherwise when You express the hope
that the citizens of Virginia conscien-
tieusly cooperate with your organization on
high moral grounds? Now YOU desire the citi-
zeus to cooperate with you In the defense of
the so-caied principles of local self government,
hut which is. to all effects and purposes, a de
Tense Of the liquor Interest aud jug trade of
Richmond and other cities of the State,
which has for its very purpose tho defeat Of
local self government, the very cause which
your organization claims to have been formed
10 defend. Does amy suppose that your
organization would eyer have the light of
day had II not been that the saloon and Jug
trade of Richmond in danger of annihtla
ton? Have you and your vice presidents ever
before posed the defenders of local self
State have endeavored to secure legislation to
prevent the liquor. houses of Richmond from
runfyjng the local option laws of various com
munities? Now, Mr.. owen. the conditions which
give birth to your wonderful organization are too
apparent 70 deceive The people of Virginia
In reply 10 your inquiry TO what l consider
the sentiments OF the people of this section,
very cheerfully state that in my opinion, be-
fore the 22d Of September 1q14, the good peo-
pie Of this section Will he thoroughly aroused
10 the Importance Of the campaign and viii
have the interest Of the state at heart that
they VIII bury tire saloon and the jug trade
under an avalanche of votes shall certainly
| every effort that I 10 this end
In your letter You asked reply and
quested Suggestions TO your campaign; ]
would suggest that you remove the Statue Of
liberty, holding aloft the torch of knowledge,
from your lCtterhcads, and symbol
instead. tie picture of your most successful dis
tiilery sarmCuntcd by the statue of Of your
vice presidents. holding aloft a bottle Of the
distiers product and around the base Of
which, have a group Of some of Richmond s
citizens after using. And what would you think
# changing the name of your organization TO
that Of The Local Liquor Defenders Alliance, e"
instead of the Local self-Cfoyernment assocto-
tom
your request, but should your association de-
sire TO adopt any of them. they have fun per-
mission 10 do 50, and l shall be glad TO make
others from time time.
! AS your communication a circular letter
which was sent to practically all the citizens Of
our town you may regard this an open let
| Ter and i for publication.
| With kind personal regards. am.
Yours very truly,
GRANVILLE r. SWIFT
+, S.-0ne suggestion to the liquor dealers
| II Richmond, and that is. that they elect TO
honorary life membership the officers and mem
bers Of your association as a reward for dis
interested. distinguished and heroic service in
| the great cause of the bottle