The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-09-04
Anti Saloon League Insists
New Legislature Shall Pass
Bill Submitting Question.
DEMANDS THAT WOMEN
CAST THEIR BALLOTS
Would Be Forceful as Club to
Bring About County Option,
Declares McBride-Seeks to
Protect University Zone.

Chicago. H., Sept s--Illinois Is to
be put up against the Statewide pro-
hfbition issue by the Anti-Saioon
League. The league will head Its lis,
of demands from the new Legislature
with bill for an act submitting to
a Statewide vote-with the women vot-
ing-this question:
Shall this State of Illinois become
anti-saloon territory?'
The Anti-Saloon League insists that
candidates for the general assembly
shall endorse this plank in their plat
forms, and that the date for the ref
erendum vote shall be November. 1918
simultaneously with the election for a
United States senator to succeed SEN
ator James Hamilton Lewis.
This latter condition might be
changed during the Legislative session
by substituting 1917 for 1913, upon
Billy Sunday meetings In Chicago will
be scheduled for 1917.
VIII He Headllner.
F. Scott Mcbride. State superinten-
dent of the league. made the announce
ment that the executive board had de-
termtned by resolution to make a
State wide referendum on the saloon
question the headliner of the coming
legislative campaign.
The situation is precisely this" Mr..
Mcbride said "The time has come
when we must make our decisive bat
tie at Springfield for county option
law. Chicago and Peoria in combina-
ton have been able to defeat US in past
legislative sessions.
I'VE now propose, at the unanimous
insistence of downstate territory that
il Chicago and Peoria refuse to give
downstate counties the right to rid
themselves Of saloons we shall force
Statewide vote. whereby the down.
state can get action and eliminate sa-
looms.
I'VE propose to do this by the SIM
pie and practical method OF submitting
the question of Statewide anti-saloon
law to a referendum vote of the State.
in which the women will have the right
to vote
sny Women Must Vote.
I'VE shall insist women do have
the right to vote, Just as they now
have that right in township option
elections. AS a legislative proposition
the test will come when, on second
reading, the vets unquestionably will
attempt to eliminate from our bill the
SeCtiOH winch WOulu QuallIy women
voters.
Frankly. we do not believe NIL
nois would vote dry with men alone
voting. We are absolutely positive the
State will vote dry II women vote. II
the vets should succeed in cutting out
women, we should not press the bill
for passage"
| Mr.. Mcbride said the passage of a
county option bill would operate to
end fight to push a Statewide option
bil1-in other words. the Statewide OPP
ton proposition Is a club to be used
to drive through county option.
! I'VE believe prospects for county
option in the next session at SPRING
| field are excellent" Mr.. Mcbride said
Our program as finally adopted, Ia
headed by the Statewide option pro-
posal followed by county option. resi-
dence district option. an anti-shippins
bill. and the blind tiger or law en-.
| foreement BILL"
| Mr.. Mcbride said that a bill is be.
ing prepared. that may get the official
endorsement OF the Anti-Saloon League
! for an act creating n three-mile dry
zone around the University OF Chi.
cago. which, X 1t went through, would
put scores of south side saloons GU,
of commission.