The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-11-25
Liquorites Are Dying Hard;
Cant Admit Defeat Even in
Face Of Striking Examples
N. Y. SUN MISTAKEN
IN IT'S CONCLUSIONS
Country Can Be Made Dry
Without Votes of Several
States That Have Large
Delegations in Congress; Big
Program Provided.

IMPURITIES are dying hard. Faced, and
cha rined by public recognition of the
magnificent victories scored by the dry
forces In the recent elections. leaders
OF The herd are making desperate eff
forts to produce an alibi, to convince
at least a part OF the public that every
thlng hasn't yet entirely gone to the
oemnltion bowwows. But this Is PROV
Ing difficult task. While the public,
the fair minded public. comedies that
nationwide prohibition is not yet an
accomplished fact, yet 1t admits that
such victories as that of Tuesday. No
vemher I. mean that this goal is much
nearer at hand than ever before
When the bell wether of the or
ganizcd liquor forces can produce
nothing else to Offset the moral effect
Of the prohibition victories of recent
date, added to achievements OF this
Kind In times past. except a repeti-
ton of that plaintive wall about con-
fiscation and prohibition causing an
increase In the consumption of liquor,
ne who runs may see that the old
guard Is in mighty hard lines.
Those who spend the greater part
or their time in and around Washing
ton during the days Congress Is In
session, for the purpose OF keeping in
touch with what Is going on in the
way of anti booze legislation. are be-
ginning to be seen around their favor
lite haunts. And 1t behoves them to
be here If they expect to render an
accounting to those who send them,
that Is an accounting as to attendance
and effort, but If they expect to be
able to report anything at all en-
couraglng the signs are they will be
nightly disappointed.
Reluctant to Admit.
While, as heretofore pointed out in
these columns recently. widespread
recognition is being given the recent
prohibition victories by the press and
by the public. yet some OF the former,
especially are a little chary in ad-
uniting that these victories, added to
those of the past. mean as much as
they actually do mean. For instance,
the New York Sun. in an editorial,
suggests that the prohibition forces
will have to be able to include among
the representatives in Congress favor
able to their cause those from some OF
the "thickly populous States of the
northeast" that sit will be time
enough to talk about nation prohibit
ton when couple of these States
with their heavy representations In
Congress have been conquered by the
hosts or abstinence
The esteemed Sun doubtless does
not take into consideration the fact
that as far as the Senate is concerned
little Idaho. or Montana, or South Da-
kota, is worth as much to the prohi-
hilton cause as New York as Massa-
chusetts, or Pennsylvania. Nor does
II seem to take into consideration the
fact that, speaking without reference
to the political situation. the recent
elections proved that the country can
be carried without the votes OF New
York. New Jersey. Massa chusetts,
Pennsylvania, Illinois, Michigan, etc
The Sun. In its editorial. doubt
less had reference to New York and
Massachusetts. But its writer evidently
did not take into consideration the
fact that. added to the votes OF repre-
sentatives in Congress from the dry
States must he counted those Repre-
sentatives from so-called wet States
who, because of personal sympathy
with the dry cause. or for local politi-
cal reasons, will be found voting aye"
on roll calls on prohibition measures
That the time is very near at hand
when these members will have an op-
portunity to align themselves with the
majority OF the people Of the country
who have already gone on record as
favoring dry nation Is indicated by a
program submitted by the legislative
committee of the Anti Saloon League
of America for the coming short ses-
sion OF Congress. This program,
which the committee describes as
paramount and possible" is an fol-
lows:
Submission OF q National Amendment.
With twenty five States having de-
clared for prohibition. with more than
sixty per cent. of the population Of the
United States living in dry territory,
Congress cannot longer deny the
American people their sacred consti-
tutional right OF passing upon the
question of amending their constitution
in the manner which 1t provides. Con-
gress should. at this approaching
short session. pass the resolution to
submit the amendment for national
prohibition. Longer delay would be
to the principles OF the gov
eminent which Congress serves and
gross injustice to the people who are
making an heroic and efficient, though
effort to destroy the ma |
tons greatest evil
District of Columbia Prohibition,
The nations capital should be the |
model city of the world and should |
express the highest and best govern
mental policy in promoting human |
"EsAoiC' - allow 1t 10 remain, In |
IT moral standards. below the average |
OF the nation. would be inexcusable |
and disgraceful. More than half the |
States and a majority Of the people |
have adopted prohibition AZ their gov
crnnental policy. The capital OF the |
nation, governed by the representa- |
tives of the people should be dry. Con- |
gress should pass at once the Dis |
trict OF Columbia prohibition BILL.
Anti-IAquor Advertisements.
III Is but common justice that pro- /
hihition territory should not be hand /
capped in the enforcement of pro- |
nibitory law. It In highly important !
hat the national government shall not i
aid ana abeA the LIQUOR trafilc in It's 4
ief1ance OF law. The Federal govern I
nent should forbid liQuormakers and 4
iealers to use the United States mails 4
% advertise their outiawed liquors In i
Try territory. with all dispatch, Con- H
yress should paAgs the bill forblddinx
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