The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-03-25
Anti-P rohibition League
The Ant-Prohibition League.

We had thought says the Roanoke Tines
and It had been half way promised by Tn ,sa
in charge Of the fight for prohibition. that when
the matter OF prohibition had been settled and
the state had dropped back into It's normal
course. that the liquor question would be With
drawn from politics.
To those of us who are Keeping in seasonaby
close touch with the situation in Virginia II APP
pears plain enough that the element opposed
TO prohibition doing more to keep the Hquor
prohibition We have in mind especially the
fganization of an AntiProhibition League at
Richmond, headed by two or three wen who we're
conspicuously identified with the late so-called
quarters at Richmond which worked overtime
for the liquor interests during the Statewide pro-
hibition campaign last summer.
Tor what purpose has this Anti-Prohi bition
League been organized? Our Roanoke neighbor
suggests that since tho organization is headed
by one of the leading Republicans of Virginia,
tho evidences are that the league is more
against Democracy than against prohibition"
Possibly but probably not. Mr.. Cabeli. who
leads this liquor organization n president.
about the only Republican CT any prominence
who stood with the champions of the liquor
cause last summer. Leading Repub licans gem
orally insist that the great majority OF their
party are opposed to the liquor traffic, and the
prove their contention. Certainly the great
iority OF the Republicans OF the Southwest voted
for prohibition, and they honestly desire the
enforcement of the law.
1t is quite likely that the purpose If the Anti
Prohibition League Is to hold tho liquor forces
together and to keep up agitation against
prohibition. with the view OF making enforce
ment of the law difficult by encouraging dis
respect for it. thereby creating condition that
will seriously injure the OF prohibition.
In other words. the friends OF the liquor inter
ests in Virginia will attempt to do through or
EaniZation what the friends Of the liquor in
terests I'm other States attempt to do without
organiZaion-bring prohibition into disrepute
and revulson of sentiment Politics
VIII figure in the movement but or less
incidentally. The great object il the overthrow
of the prohibition statute.
j Wherever here IL . prohibition law there is
opposition to It, and the opposition works by
] every known method to achieve It's end. Ts-
peciaily will IL antagonize candidate for office
known to favor prohibition It is not strange
therefore. that the friends OF prohibition should
wish TO know the attitude OF political candidates
| upon this question. ard in view OF the facts
their policy in this respect is amply justified
| II is regrettable that Anti-Proh ibition
( League has been organized in Virginia. What
| ever means it may employ to accomplish it's
purpose. the purpose is not to DO misunderstood
! But it can be easily defeated by the Democracy
! Of the state, In fact. II can only succeed
through active Democratic sympathy and sup
port.
In uncertain tone the people OF Virginia
have declared for prohibition. and the Demo
cratic party must address itself to the duty
I of carrying out the popular wil-Bristol Herald
Courier