The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-03-07
lR. GORDON GLAD HE MADE THE ERROR"
OF VOTING AGAINST THE MAPP BILL

member accurately all that he did
say. The fact that after the House
had refused to reconsider In order
that he might offer further amend
nents. he requested the Speaker to
have the record changed and record
him as having voted for the hill would
seem TO sustain the impression made
upon the representative Of The N'ir-
Further, Mr.. Gordon says that 'in the
excitement OF the moment" he voted
mo" with the purpose of moving a
reconsideration" When the excite
ment" was over and the reconsidera-
ton had been refused Mr.. Gordon
asked To change his vote. Yet, he
says: II never stated whether
would vote for or against this bill"
and adds. "since have had time to
llliith inc tndAtrE oRCt Hipf & tai Nluity
and coolly am glad that I made the
error and am recorded against this
Bill His vote against tho bill was
an error" and he Immediately asked
he House to allow him to change his
vote so that he might correct the
error" but now after thinking the
matter over more carefully and
coolly" he is glad that he made tho
error" and is recorded against the
bill.
why did Mr., Gordon want to change
MS vote on the bin from mo- to
aye? Having failed in all OF his
numerous and repeated efforts 10
weaken and mutilate the bill ne then
voted against II as four other men
nown TO be wet men also voted. lie
declares that this vote, was an "error,"
but that he Ia glad that he made the
error"
Mr. Gordon makes another state
ment In his personal explanation
which Is remarkable. He says;
II may be mistaken. but II
seems 10 me TO be result of n
combination between the office
holders OF the State and the
Office seekers of the State, with
the religious enthusiasm of the
most radical element of the
temperance forces, and fear
that its provisions when en-
forced by the courts, will be SO
harsh and cruel that its enforce
ment Will seriously iniure the
advancement of temperance in
the State"
Are we to understand that the dele
gate from Louisa voted against the
Mapp bill, which was supported by
lightweight members of the House
because of his interest tn the adj
vancement OF temperance in the
state, and the belief that the en-
forcement of this law would injure the
cause of temperance? Are there any
provisions in the Mapp bill which
would be harsh and cruel except as
they affect those who violate the pro-
visions of this law? Can it be possible
that Mir Gordon thinks 30, 900 of the
best people Of Virginia voted to drive
the saloon out of the state as the ire
suit of combination between the
office holders OF the State and the
office-seekers of the State. with the
religious enthusiasm of the most
radical element of the temperance
forces ?" Can MIR. Gordon justify his
position as prcfessed advocate OF
temperance la voting against meas
re which the Legislature was prac-
ticaliy instructed by majority OF
more than 10000 voters in Virginia
~ NNdNt itttO a law pttduSG dIb-iiu-
ments which he proposed were not
adopted?
The people OF Virginia, we are per-
suaded. will put the five men who
goted against the Mapp bill in the
ouse Of Delegates down as opposed
to real prohibition. Mr.. Gordon says
he Is glad that he made the error OF
becoming one of these fxc. We think
it will take even more explaining than
he has done on the floor OF the House
0 satisfy the people OF his district
md Of the State that his course and
IS vote have been such as to help
THE advancement OF temperance in
the state"
II verddn costs a hundred thou