The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-08-07
Facts Pertinent To the Present
Gubernatorial Campaign

skcdc questions
state Offices These questions were answered by the
different candidates The answers of Mr.. ElIyson and
Mr. Pollard were declared to be satisfactory The
answers of Mr.. Davis were declared to be entirely
unsatisfactory Up to that time although the league
knew that the past record of Mr. Davis distinctly
wet II was not certain what attitude he would take
regarding the questions of the Anti-saoon league.
Mr. Davis deliberately lodged the questions OF
the league. He was asked whether he favored the
main provisions of the Mapp law and whether he
He lodged both Of these questions He was asked
whether he favored a constitutional promotion
amendment and lodged this question also by de-
clarng that he could not commit himself IN ADVANCE
on matter OF such grave importance Whatever
doubt might have existed Mr.. Davis attitude be-
fore that time from juno 90 the day that Mr. Davis
the questions of league were received,
his power to secure the support of the
of the and that he had framed his replies to
the questions OF the league to please that vote 10
then became absolutely necessary for the league to
do all In its power to defeat Mr. Davis
On July 8, Mr. Pollard following out his method
Of attacking DIR. Cannon and other league leaders.
made attack upon DIR. Cannon and the league
leaders in a conversation with Rev. David Hepburn
a ans ATTACK was on such he a n' upon
porting Mr.. Pollard decided that he could no longer
support anyone who would so unjustly attack the
prohibition leaders of the state and he wrote let
ter withdrawing his support from Mr.. Pollard
After hearing Of the attack made upon him by
Mr.. Pollard to Mr.. Hepburn, DR. Cannon realized
that Mr.. Pollard determined to destroy his
influence throughout the state OF Virginia that he
did hesitate endeavor TO prejudice against him
his assistant superintendent. but he hesitated
even then TO publicly denounce Mr.. Pollard's
duct knowing that it would necessarily prccipitate
controversy which for time at least would do harm
He felt obliged however I'm defense of his good name
and his influence, to defend himself against the at
tacks of Mr. Pollard and his friends, even though 1t
should require public discussion While he was
still considering the matter. Mr.. Pollard made pub
lie attack upon him In the evening papers OF Rich
mond declaring that he had used his official position
with the Anti-Saloon league to advance Mr. Eyson's
candidacy In direct violation q ne principles OF the
Anti Saloon league and that DR. Cannon eccle
siastical politician who had tried the rank and
file of the Anti-Saoon league and the executive COM
niittee from Mr. Pollard to Mr. Ellyson
Mr.. Pollard did not present single specification
in proof Of his charges. He did not indicate one
single member Of the executive committee who had
been Influenced by DIR. Cannon. He did not tell OF
single letter which had been written by Dr. Cannon
He made sweeping charge of activity on the part
Of DR.. Cannon, but did not attempt to prove It, Dr.
nounced the charges as absolutely false and demand
ed that Mr.. Pollard present proof Then. inasmuch
porting Mr.. Ellyson because he was a machine man.
Dr. Cannon stated the facts concerning his past re.
not support Mr. Pollard and gave his reasons foa
supporting Mr. Ellyson.
Mr. Pollard in his reply reiterated his charges
influence officer Of the Anti-saloon league and
had destroyed public confidence In himself by the
proof Of his previous charges. DIR. Cannon replied
that MFR. Pollard was a wilful slandercr. inasmuch
as ne could sutstantiate the charges which he
had made and had not manhood enough to withdraw
them
| Mr. j. w Hough. Of Norfolk. in view Of Mr.. Pol
letter withdrawing his support made public for
the first time the fact that at the banquet IN April
1915. the plan was then considered of attacking Dr.
Cannon in order to secure votes for Mr. Pollard
The campaign had far developed that it be-
came evident to those who were acquainted with
that Mr. Davis would secure the nomination. In
view Of his wet record and his lodging and evasve
it was evident that he hoping be elected by
the support Of the wet voters OF the state
The possibility of the nomination Of wet man
Virginan TO determine what course 1t should pursue
While The virgininn could not with respect sup
posed the candidacy of Mr.. Pollard and had printed
/ such statements favorable to his candidacy as 1t
| thought proper.
The management OF the paper believed that the
crisis had been reached and realized that 1t was the
prohibition voters concentrate on one candidate.
1t distinctly realized that. matter what advice
sentcd by the friends OF the candidate who would
/ gilman was to meet its responsibility.
After the very best possible survey Of conditions
in the evident that the race clearly
between Mr.. Davis and Mr. Ellyson and that every
i Mr. Davis Having reached that conclusion. The
yirginan did not hesitate to state the conclusions
by The virginian that it thought 1t to be the duty
was received with great chagrain and bitter denun-
| citation by some OF the friends OF Mr. Pollard The
| Mr.
they realized that II tho advice OF The vireinian
! should be followed Mr.. Davis would be defeated.
1, The above the pertinent facts I'm the gubcr-
Material campaign. II Mr.. Pollard had attacked
DIR. Cannon privately and publicly DIR. Cannon would
not have printed one word in reference to the cam
| paign of Mr.. Pollard. As n matter OF fact ne had
used his official position Ant. Saloon league
! leader to advance Mr. Ellysons candidacy. He has
stated three times that he has attempted to In
fucnce anyone to vote for MIR. Ellyson and has cha
lcngcd Mr. Pollard to produce proof OF his CHARGES
that ne tried change members Of the executive
committee OF the league and the rank and file o.
\ the Anti-Saloon league from Mr. Pollard to Mr.. Ell
Tyson.
Mr. Pollard has not attempted to prove his charges
but stands today having slandered DR.. Cannon
publicly and privately In order to secure votes fol
himself for governor. Those papers which hate DR.
y Cannon and the Anti-Saloon league cannot Prov
that DR.. Cannon had taken part whatever In