The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-04-28
Present Sentiment Indicates
That People Would Put
Saloons Out If Given
Referendum.
DRY LEGISLATURE FIRST
NEED, SAYS Stafford
League Superintendent Sounds
Note of Confidence and OPP
timism In Discussing Out
look.

Minneapolis. Mimi, April 27.--Drys
OF this State are looking forward to-
ward Statewide prohibition with a
great deal of confidence. DR.. George
e. Stafford, superintendent OF the
Anu-Saloon League of Minnesota.
today said:
During the past year Minnesota
has released herself from the domi-
mating power of the liquor traffic.
Fifty four counties are now dry,
about 500 saloons are closed, and the
production OF beer in this State fell
off in 1915 the enormous amount OF
10000 barrels. or about $780, 900 in
business value. Naturally, they do
not propose to sustain quietly this
large loss. II there liz any way by
which the lost ground can be regain
ed, It will be attempted in the next
session OF the Legislature. Already
for many weeks skilful wet politi-
clans have been touring the State en-
deavoring to bring out in dry dis
tricts candidates for the Legislature,
who will look good to the drys, but
who can be relied on by the vets.
What Is wanted OF them ia to prevent
any further temperance advance and
to repeal or emasculate the present
county option law.
The program OF the Anti-Saloon
League is planned to meet the above
described situation. and involves
three necessary propositions
Dry Legislature Needed.
First. securing n dry Legislature.
Second, strengthening the present
county option law and enacting such
additional laws as will make enforce
ment of dry laws more swift and sure.
Third. making the utm ost advance
the situation will yield.
After much correspondence and
personal conference about the state.
we believe II is possible TO resist
successfully all efforts Of the vets to
weaken the county option law. eor
there IL no doubt about securing a
dry Legislature If the drys are only
reasonably alert and discriminating
in their political work. The advHn-
tage now lies with them II they are
only wise enough to hold IT.
I'm the second place, we believe It
Ia possible and essential TO enact n
better blind pig law II we are to
retain advance temperance legisla-
ton, We must enforce such laws when
we get them. In order to do this we
must make enforcement as easy and
direct as possible.
In the third place. we must uu-
dertake distinct step in advance. 1t
is poor tactics when the enemy Is
oflly retreating and not vanqulshed
for the victors to stand still and wait
for the enemy TO come back and re-
new the engagement. Instead. when
the enemy is retreating II IL the best
military science to keep up the pres
sure and compel him TO continue the
retreat. This is advisable for defense
as well as for offense.
Vets Are Rctrcating.
Tn the temperance struggle in
Minnesota the vets are now retreat
ing We must keep them going. The
next stop following the successful en-
actment Of the county option law Is
to make the State dry. This we are
now seeking. and there is ample sup
port of such a movement from all
parts of the State. The Anti-Saloon
Leagues sources OF Information lead
us to believe that a large number Of
the members OF the Senate and pro-
spective members OF the House are
ready to support a resolution submit
ting to the voters OF the state a con-
stitutional amendment in favor OF
Statewide prohibition. The refer
endum feature OF this plan alone
makes 1t feasible AT this time. Mem
bers Of the Legislature who are not
willing 10 take the responsibility OF
debating in such a matter TO their
constituency are entirely willing 10
allow their constituents TO decide Tor
themselves and to direct their repre-
sentatives as to what the State wants