The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-04-22
DR.. JAMES CANNON ON
LEGISLATIVE CAMPAIGN

In the current Issue of the Christian Advocate
nr. James Cannon, Jr, writes as follows:
Since the close Of the State Anti Saloon
League Convention. over month ago the writer
has been in the receipt of letters from various
sections Of the state concerning the general
legislative situation Conditions are not salts
factory everywhere. The liquor forces alert
and not simply waiting TO take advantage
forces but they are doing their very best to
facilitate the laundering
Striking Unanmty.
Up to the present time not single
didate has declared himself opposed tho
prohibition law. Even IN districts which voted
wet the candidates who have entered for nomi-
nation declared themselves as favorable
10 such legislation as wiz make the law effective
The nnanimity in this particular is indeed re-
markable.
+ What Docs 1t Mean?
Does It mean that those who persistently
aye even bitterly, opposed prohibition, have
changed their minds and anxious to
help shape such legislation viii make effec-
tive a principle which they vehemently assert
ed to be supyersive OF the principles of free
dom and personal liberty? Is II really reason
able TO expect that men who opposed giving
to the people the right TO vote on Statew.ne
prohibition or who declared the measure to be
unconstitutional. will vote for restrictive
and law enforcement legislation without pro
test effort TO weaken 1t. to say nothing Of
working energeucally and conscentously to
make the prohibition law success?
Mole-Like Methods.
What can the liquor people hope for in the
face OF this remarkable unanimtye Have they
given up the fight? IL they have. why the Anti
Prohibition League. II they have, why the let
tiers which are being written to prominent tenn
perance leaders In the state irving to give an
Interpretation to the vote of the people which
viii close simply the saloon. but viii provide
( for family liquor homes package sales, deliv-
cries Of wines and beers at the home. and not
only the continuance of breweries and wineries,
but which will also provide for package sales
/ hy said establishments?
Five Million.
/ 1T was reported recently in tbs secular press
that the brewCries OF the country had appropri-
lated So 900 900 fight the prohibition move
lment. They have employed the ahlest men they
,cau secure to write their advertisements and
pam piets They have engaged prominent men
10 act rs their attorneys in various sections OF
the country And their work has not been con-
fined to tho wet States These advertisements
have been given 10 the wet newspapers of
Virginia, and one of their pamphlets has been
prepared by Mr. R f. Caben. of Richmond
who has been openly advocating their cause
in Virginia for twelve months. and who has
formed a league whose purpose it Is to defeat
the prohibition law
BE not deceived They have not given up
the fight. but they have adopted mole-lIke
met hods ThsH have rot sought TO nominate a
single man. far, who Is openly pledged 70
fight the prohibition law. No! NO 1t is louuly
and ostentatiously proclaimed that nobody in
the mex. General Assembly will think of oppos-
ing the will of the people as expressed at the
polls; that Virginia has spoken. that the prohi-
htion question is settled, that all past differ
ences on that question must be forgotten, and
the people turn their attention to other Ieat
and pressing issues
''Wet" Newspapers Now "DrS' Experts,
| Indeed the wet newspapers. which declar-
ed after the election that the prohibition law
lis n bad law and which still take the money
OF the breweres now with colossal impudence
ipresume to the people Of Virginia against
any further agitation of the prohibitisn question
and try to their spleen ct their over
whelming defeat last September by abuse and
denunciation OF the officers of the Anti-Saloon
League of Virginia.
I Who VIII Frame Law?
| But a question is pertinent just this point
Who will frame the law next winter? Will those
who fought for prohibition, those who OPP
posed it? Who will decide what restrictions
will he placed in the laws, to advertising. for
example? VIII the Times-Dispatch. which
fought statewide prohibition. which declared Il
TO he a bad law after majority OF
( 20 600 had declared il to be good law, and
which stli, advertises intoxcants will 1t be com
petent tn assist in the framing of the law