The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-07-14

Of the overwhelming number of sig
natures. the secretary Of the Com
monweaith will today certify to the
governor that a sufficient number of
signatures have been secured, as re-
CURED by the statute. TO warrant the
calling OF an election.
The law provides that numb Der
equal to one-fourth of the whole num-
Der of votes cast at the last Noyem-
Der general election for State officers
may call an election. Nearly four
times the required number has been
obtained and the governor will doubt
less issue writ for election IN a few
days. The law gives the governor ten
days in which he may Issue the pro-
clamation. This proclamation will ne
directed to the sherifrs and clerks OF
the respective cities and counties. and
published in the newspa pers. The
day Of the election is fixed by statute
to be Septenl Der %. 1914
Battle Already On.
1t can hardly be said that the bat
tie will be opened with the procla-
nation by the governor. for the battle
was long since opened by the oppos-
ing forces. and promises, before Its
conclusion. to be battle royal. The
law governing general State elections
will obtain in the conduct OF this
election, except that the ballots will
read:
For Statewide Prohibition"
Against Statewide Prohibition"
There Is no alternative of local OPP
ton, as the whiskey people are vainly
trying to make the people believe
At the close of the States fiscal year
September 80. 1919, according TO the
auditors there
places lncluding 500 harrooms)
where liquor is sold and dspenSNd.
The only question confronting the
people of Virginia in this election Is.
The Issue Defined.
Shall these ga branches of the
liquor traffic be licensed TO continue
their business. with all its attendant
direful consequences, or whether they
shall be suppressed
II majority of the votes cast are
against Statewide prohibition. all the
present laws concerning the liquor
traffic shall remain in full force and
effect. The 1914 branches OF the
liquor traffic will continue their dead
ly work.
II a majority of the votes cast In
the election are for Statewide prohi-
bition no license shall hereafter be
granted to any Of the above enum
Grated institutions. except two small
wineries. one at Norfolk and the
other at Charlottesville, which will he
permitted 10 ship domestic wines In
unbrokeA PACKAGES outside of the
State by common carrier into territory
wherein the sale of said domestic
wines Is now permitted by law, and
the breweries which will be permitted
TO sell their products likewise outside
the State only in places where licenses
are granted for the sale of beer The
present cider laws in the State OF
Virginia are not affected by this cleo
ton.
There is common understanding
that unless the next general asse mbly
Is hostile to reform. 1t will promptly
abolish licenses to the above wineries
and breweries by statutory enactment.
Provision also will be made by the
next general assembly under rigid
restriction for the sale of ardent
mental and mechanical purposes
Who Can Vote.
The following persons may partici-
pate in the election. and with such per-
sons will rest the determination of this
question:
!. Any registered and otherwise quail
tied voter who paid all his state poll
taxes for the three years next pre-
ceding the ak months before the see
ond Tuesday In November. 1D13. may
vote.
2..Any registered and otherwise quail
lied voter who paid all his state poll
taxes for three years. 1911, 1912, 1914.
ON or before December Q. 1913, may
vote.
3. Any old soldier who II ON the per-
manent list Of 10O2-O3. whether he has
paid his poll tax or not. may vote.
WHO CAN REGISTER.
I. Any young man becoming of age
before Sept. -, 1914 tprOhibitiOn spc-
ciaI election day. who has prior 10 this
date paid his state poll tax Of $1.50
may register at any time before the
prohibition election, and II regis
tered. and state poll tax Of $50 paid
for one year, may vote.
:. Any person whose state poll taxes
were satisfactorily psid for three years
next preceding the November election
OF 1919. or the June election Of 1914,
hut who II not registered. may register
at any time before the prsAihittOn cleo
ton day, September n 1914.
Nste. I'd YsanS nsn beeenAing Of