Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1914-08-08
Alleged Attempts to Sup
Press Circulation Of
Certain Literature.
TO BE INVESTIGATED
Travelling Man Finds Sentiment In
Eastern Portion of State Against
Statewide Prohibition.

Richmond, August S.-An effort on
the part of statewide prohibitionists
to take charge Of the postoftices IN
Virginia so as to suppress the clrcula-
ton of the literature Of the Local
Self Government Association of Vir-
einia is charged in letter addressed
to Postmaster Hay 7. Thornton.
1t is alleged the postmaster at
Gether, Va, has refused to deliver
any mail written on the stationery Of
the Local Self-Government Associa-
ton, and has ordered officials of
! that organization net to send any
more of it's literature to "his' post
office.
In pursuing this course the post
master at Gether is said by officials
at the Richmond postoffice to have
committed grave offense, for which
penalties are provided, and the mat
ter is now in the hands of the post
master general at Washington.
The postmaster at Gether is ac-
cuscd of having opened letter writ
ten on Local Self-Government Assoc;-
alton stationery, addressed cit
izen of that county, and after having
read it, wrote on the back thereof the
following rotation. "Will thank you
not to send any more of your litera-
ture to this Office" 1t is said to have
been signed officially by the postmas-
ter.
The letter in question was state
ment of the position. of the Local Self
Government Association in the cam
rign against statewide prohibition,
and was sent as first class mail mat
ter, with two cents postage prepaid.
When the returned letter arrived at
the Local Self-Government Associa-
tons headquarters, it was sent i'm
mediately to Postmaster Thornton. In
speaking of the matter, the postof-
fee authorities declared the postnnas-
ter at Gether had committed a grave
| cffense in the eyes of the department,
and he would be dealt with from
Washington.
Another alleged attempt by state
widcrs that has been brought to the
attention of the postoffice depart
ment, and which is also in the hands
!'of Postmaster General Burleson,
was the act Of the "White Ribbon
! CTS" in attempting to get the rural
mail carriers of Augusta county to
destroy all literature of the Loca,
Self Government Association that
came into their hands for delivery.
1t is said that at meeting held
Saturday, July 80, in Middle Rive,
Church, of the Church Of the Breth
rem, by the officials and elders of the
church brought forth resolution re-
Guesting That this be done. The meet
| ing was held for the purpose of form
! ing a political organization in the
church to fight local self-government
in the coming campaign.
Mir. J. A. Anderson, travelling rep
resentat;ve Of t;,e !%t:s::ii:.4.,.,..
Metallic Cartridge Company, manu-
! facturers of guns and ammunition,
has Just returned 10 his home from 4
three weeks trip through counties in
! Eastern Virginia.
Mr.. Anderson was asked about
the sentiment regarding the strength
Of local option as opposed to State
wide prohibition in the counties
through which he travelled.
Mr.. Anderson said. "',
Il made an automobile trip through
most of the counties in the First Dis
! trict-Accomac. Northampton, West
moreland, Richmond, Northumberland;
Gloucester, ,Middlesex and others. Now
| find widespread opposition to State
! wide prohibition amongst the mer-
chants and country store people /
visited. The country merchant is
in better position to know the SEN
timents of the people of his neigh
: borhood than any one else, and they
. all tell me that the voters and think
ing people are not swayed by appeals
to their emotions and are going to