The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-07-01
PROHlTION FIGHT IN THIS STATE
COVERED PERIOD OF 20
YEARS.
Voters Ratified Amendment by Sur.
prisinaly Large Majority - Yost
Law Effects over 500 Saloons.

After a bitter struggle OF several
years duration on the part OF anti
saloon forces. statewide prohibition
Of the liquor business I'm West Vir-
ginia II now reality. Prohibition
has been agitated for considerably
more than twenty years but the move
ment against the saloons did not be-
come an organized fight until about
ten years ago. During the past de-
cade, however, such an aggressive and
persistent campaign has been waged
that the fact that the ratification OF
the prohibition amendment OF the
states constitution at the election OF
November 4. 1912 occasioned but lit
tie surprise. the only unexpected fea-
ture or the vote on the proposition be
ing the large majority 10 favor Of
ratification
The large majority OF 924e2 votes
rolled up In favor of the ratification %
the prohibition amendment surprised
everyone, even the most enthusiasts
dry workers The saloon support-
ers pretended to feel confident OF de-
feating the proposed amendment.
while DR.. T NJ. Hare. OF Charleston.
president OF the West Virginia Anti
Saloon League. predicted that pro6i.
bltion would carry by 25.OOO votes
Ills estimate Of the dry" victory was
the highest placed before the election.
other predictions ranging from 10 1000
TO 20 900 votes
When only a few returns had been
received on election night the indica-
lions we're that the amendment had
carried by a large majority. ONLY
three counties In the state gave vet
maioriues. Ohio county's being tho
largest while many counties In tho
state which had been expected TO 20
against the amendment returned
dry ma1oritles. 10 was remarked At
the time that there was apparently a
general landslide On favor of prohibi
tion. and The amendment was ratified
by a vote Of almost two 90 one.
Long Flight Finally Won.
The dry" leaders had repeatedly
carried their hEht into tho LEGISLATURE
prior 70 1911. but were Invariably no.
pulsed, though they slowly but sure
airy. 1911. after a hard fought cam.
Vaign over candidates for tho iogis-
iaiure ~ the primaries OF both domi.
nant political parties and at tho gene
raj election ~ 1910. that the anfl.aa.
loon forces secured enough strength
WIN. Atier p period u exciting de-
haie On the floors Of the legislature.
ond of sensational charges OF corrup.
llon and bribery made bv both aides
me mousse Of delegate passed a bUt
by o. vote ~ 10 TO .. on February 3
PROVIDING Tor the submission Of n pro
libition amendment 90 tho conaiiiu.
lion 10 tho voters OF the state The
vote was o majority Far .n excess of
ne tWothirda required hv the consfi.
iulon on constitutional amendments
NE two forces then conferred their
cuorts IN The senate. and despite the
desperate flght warcd hv the Uquor
interests the senate followed tho lead
gI we house 81 delegates. and on
tuesday. February O. cOncurrnd with
me house BY n vote Of 23 10 &. three
votes In excess of the necessary two
thirds. The blll was then presented
20 Governor VIM ~ Glaaacock. and
was signed BY him February rs. f0if
Work For Ratification.
winning The hght Tor submission.