The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-09-10

Mr.. Randolph Harrison. of Lynch
burg, recently--on the 3rd OF Septem-
Der, to be exact--through the medium
of the Richmond Evening journal.
the News Leader and other wet pa
pers. made public a~campaign letter on
the subject Of Statewide PROHIBITION
This letter is an unequiyocal state
ment OF strong opposition to the tne-
PRIV. principle and practice OF state
wide prohibition and an equally nn-
eauivocal, strong and outspoken de-
Tense of the principle. theory ana
practice of that system known as local
option.
The letter was published by the or
gans of the liquor traffic as strong
paper in behalf OF their contentious IN
the present campaign. The conten-
lion they stoutly maintain is a defense
pf the time honored principle OF local
self government and local option.
local option being their favored
method 81 dealing with the liquor
(faffic now that the temperance peo-
pie or Virginia, who made local option
Effective. have decided that the time
h ripe for the abandonment OF local
option and the total divorce Of the
State of Virginia from its partnership
with the saloon. II is II notable fact
That those who have now stepped MP
IN the local option platform were in
Former days the most bitter opponents
BIZ the principle, theory and practice
f this now dearly beloved system. Mr..
Harrison is no exception TO this rule.
Endorses Local Option Now.
Mr.. Harrison's letter, which has
been used as campaign matter by the
iquor interests. is quite a strong en-
iorscment OF local option. He speaks
is follows: Il venture "a submit to
NY friends and fellow Firginians
come considerations for the continn
ltion ~ the present 1.-THE local opttonp
avs governing the sale Of liquor, ana
against the proposal 10 infiict upon
his State In lieu thereof Statewide
prohibition with lis attendant evils"
Further MIR Harrison says; The
ssue thus presented in Statewide pro-
s1bIt.an against local option. A vote,
therefore,. against Statewide prohthi
Ion is vote for LOCAL option as au-
hnrixed under the existing laws
AEain. sit II manifest. then, that
3tatewide prohibition violates the
principle OF local seIf-government. q
principle which confers the right OF
ehoice upon the community which
VIII be affected by the law. and re-
ponsible for It's enforcement"
Mr.. Harrison squotes sta cement
attributed To President Wilson con-
h.hition against local option. A vote
Ptders an absolute endorsement of the
principle. and this stats.ns;.- he him
eeii endorses without reservation.
skiing Of tho presIdent. Mrs Har
'son says; He knows that the prin-
t.-le OF sell government is the corr
nerstone of our political and domes-
10 institutions and our buiwark
ga!nst oppression, and IL should be
|ealousiy guarded and preserved
Sainst any tnsfd.ous encroachment.
surely, his advice may be safely fol-
owed on a question so vital TO every
|oif-Eovernfng community" This, be
Understood. is what Mr.. Harrison
hought local option on September
1914. II IL seen that he endorses
Fundamentally and unreservedly as
he cornerstone Of our liberties and
he Indispensable necessity of every
enmmunitg ==ilaa- rt2h. to exercise ia+-
Fal option in control OF the liquor
ErafYic. This on September 3, 1914,
when Virginia is engaged in a great
Mmpaign To dissolve her partnership
fifth the saloon AMI when tho saloon
aaA fed from the open and has taken
fefuEc behind It's whilom enemy. the
principle OF local option.
Against Local Option Then.
History. however is unkind to Mr..
Harrison. Recorded usterances and
pired to place him in a somewhat
wizard position. During the session
bs tho general assembly OF Virginia
n the winter Of 1884. Mr., Har-
ison was a member Of the house Of
delegates. Dir. Harrison was, In fact.
butte prominent In the debates In that
body during tina session. Among the
notable instances of thar session was
(hA introduction of bill known as
kA Miller local option bill. This was
Introduced In the senate of Virginia
nd Its purpose was rs repeal or de-
lsroy the local option law OF Virginia
s It applied TO cities or TO make II 80
81 possible OF enforcement as to prnc-
!saiiy destroy its value. Speaking OF
~ bill and summarizing 1t as 1t APP
fnred on the calendar of the house.
which Mr., Harrison was member.
~ Richmond Dispatch----the pre-
snassor of the Richmond Times-Dts-
-etch.~-ia It's issHe of Thursday.
february az. 1894, made this state
fient.
The Miller BiiI.
This bill. as 1t passed the SEN
Rts by close vote, provides for
ths repeal Of the local option law
20 far as It applies to cities hav-
ing over I'VE thousand inhabi-
taftts. The house finance commit
tAe reported this measure with
substitute so amending the are
Hapt law as to require the sigma
ture 0f one half instead Of ona-
fourth OF the registered voters
IL call an election in any city OF
Hya thousand or more"
III Is apparent that this bill was
jmsd at the very heart Of the local
pptien principle las applied to cittes)
which Mr., Harrison IL. on 6eptem-
bsv 3, iel4, 30 ardent a champion.
his hill was a direct attack on the
NAdamenta, principles for which MFR.
Harrison now stands. Did Mr.. Har-
tsap ny TO the dAfense Of local option.
d this, its diro need Did he. rush
h ita aid and demand that this palla-
iAM az Virginia seif-Eavernment ~
|etainod intact and untarnishedf