davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-10-26
I trust we will never take a backward
step.
Yours very sincerely,
r. WALTON MOORE.

Richmond, Va, Oct. 3, 1917.
DR.. James Cannon, .Jr..
7oI East Grace Street,
City.
Dear DR.. Cannon:
l know that you will be CAD to
learn from one who has been employ
ing men for the past thirty-fve years
what a wonderful effect statewide
has had upon the net results of our
business. and If our small business
could be helped to such an extent.
what must 1t be to those who employ
thousands of men?
We cannot yet estimate the increase
in the volume of business done since
statewide went into effect. and will
not be able TO do so until some time
In January. but we arc more than
pleased with the results from bust
ness standpoint.
/ was talking to a steward In ono
of our Methodist churches yesterday.
who does very large wholesale and
retail business, who voted and work
ed for the wet crowd" during the
contest in Virginia, and ne says he
will always in the future vote dry"
for the wonderful effect II has had on
his business.
May your efforts in Ohio be crown
ed with the same degree of success
as they were in Virginia, is the wish OF
Yours truly,
]. H. CHAPPELL,
Contractor.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-10-26

Roanoke, Va. October 1. 1917.
DR.. James Cannon, Jr.,
7o1 East Grace Street,
Richmond, Va.
Dear DR.. Cannon:
have received your letter of Sept.
the 29th, in which you ask my opinion
of the effect Of the prohibition law
upon business and upon the general
moral welfare. enclose an editorial
from the Roanoke Times of last Sun
day which speaks for itself. AS you
know, the Times was one of the bitter
est opponents that statewide prohibit
ton had The universal consensus of
opinion in Roanoke and In fact In this
, entire section, Is that statewide pro-
hibition Is a splendid success, both
from business and moral stand
| point. There has been a decrease in
crime. as the records of the police
court will show, and merchants find
| II much easier to make collections
/ from many of their customers than
| during the days of the saloon. ! be-
Z lteve all the saloonkeepers and their
employees. with few exceptions, have
remained In Roanoke and found en-
! ployment In legitimate trades, and
some of them have been free to say
that they would not engage in the liq-
| uor business again If they had the op-
portunfty.
l will send you letters from other
parties.
With kindest regards, / am,
Very sincerely,
JAS. d. JOHNSTON,
Attorney at Law
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-10-26
East Radford Va. Oct. 10. 1917.

East Radford Va, Oct. 10, 1917.
DR. Jas. Cannon. Jr.,
Blackstone, Virginia.
Dear DR.. Cannon:
Your favor has Just been received,
The work OF the prohibition law in
this section of virginia is entirely sat
isfactory. ] think / can safely say
that even the men who are opposed
to prohibition as a principle and prac-
tfce are well pleased with the actual
working of this law number OF
them have told me that they regard
ed II effective. All classes OF our
citizens, regardless of their former
opinion as to the wisdom Of prohibit
ton, agree that 1t has promoted eff
ficieucy of labor and has brought
peace and comfort into many homes
where hunger and pickering were
common before this law went into eff
feet Unquestionably it has insured
the material comfort of hundreds and
thousa nds Of our people In this sec
ton of the state.
The attendance at and interest In
churches and Sunday schools speak
we'll for prohibition. I have frequent
,~.q ss1rx Nzsle plslt - T1ads@ is .@sa!,tE-
west Virginia and this is the uniform
testimony.
There is little '~nootlegging" OF
'moonsnining," as they call Il In thi,
section. but there is not as much o,
this as there was before the prohibit
ton laws went into effect.
am.
Sincere1y,
J. p. MCCONNELL.
President State Normal School
for Women.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-10-26
Norfolk. Va. October 10. 1917.

Norfolk. Va. October 10, 1917.
DR.. James Cannon, Superintendent.
Anu-Saloon League OF Virginia.
Richmond, Va.
Dear DIR. Cannon:
In replying to your letter OF the
5th. Il gives me great pleasure to give
a few facts or the wonderful improve
,nent In our city caused by the closing
of the saloons.
Just eleven months ago when tho
state prohibition law went into effect.
one hundred and nifty saloons and FIVE
hotel bars were closed UP.
In speaking 10 the proprietor OF the
largest hotel in the city only few
days ago, he told me that he has made
more money during the last eleven
months with the saloons closed thar
he made the elsvea months previous
70 The closing OF the saloons notwith-
standing the fact that he had the most
popular bar in the city.
Every place with the exception of
enc vacated by the saloons, has been
rented for legitimate business pur-
poses II Is difficult to find a busi-
ness man In the city who would be
willing To have the saloons back.
From q business standpoint there
~ no doubt Of great Improvement in
all business lines here since the clos
ing OF the saloons. Notwithstanding
TIE fact that the opponents claimed
that seaport town gould not exist
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-10-26

Washington. p. C. Oct. 10. 1917.
Rev. James Cannon. Jr,, D. D.,
Richmond. Va.
Dear Doctor Cannon:
/ have your favor of the 4th In
slant.
Considering how strenuous and bit
ter was the fight to prevent the adop-
ton of prohibition In Virginia, the
criticism and opposition which it now
encounters. after being tried awhile,
are surprisingly slight. 1 do not be-
lieve any voter who gave It his sup
port regrets having done SO, and ]
frequently hear of the admission be-
ing made by some OF those who active
ly opposed 1t that 1t is working very
satisfactorily. The prediction con-
stantly made while the struggle was
in progress that prohibition would cur
tail and inture business has utterly
failed Of verification and on the other
hand there is abundant evidence that
II has been OF general material ad-
vantage to individuals and communi-
ties. That the state Is morally in
better condition Is established by the
fact that there Is much less crime and
disorder than in the days when in
many localities the saloon fiourished
and everywhere the traffic In and use
OF liquor were. not so resoiutely re-
strained as is now the case. AS you
know. live in county which has for
many years been almost entirely free
OF saloons. But adjoining our county
IL the city of Alexandria where there
were many saloons prior to the adop-
ton OF prohibition. Although Alex
ardria lies just across the Potomac
river from Washington which still
has saloons. and Alexandria on that
account has been at some disadvant-
age In enforcing the law. nevertheless
my information Is that under prohibit
ton the experience of Alexandria has
been similar to that OF the Virginia
cities more remote from the border,
the proof of this being partly found In
its felony and Jail statistics. I am
convinced that the Improvement will
be even more marked in northern Vir-
ginia when Washington, this month,
closes Its saloons and subjects the liq-
uor traffic To severe repression. Pro-
hibition In Virginia is all right. and
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-10-26
the people recognize the blessings .o'
pr ohibition.
Sincerely yours.
c. r. JORDAN.


Lawrencevilie, Va, Oct. 3. 1911.
DIR. James Cannon,
Supt. Anti-Saloon League,
Richmond, Va
NV Dear Doctor Cannon:
1t gives me great pleasure to know
that you have been invited to make
speeches in Ohio and Iowa In the IN
terest of prohibition. That means
of course that you are making speech
es In the interests of the homes, the
churches, the schools-in fact, In the
interest OF all that Is worth while, for
we know the saloon Is founded on
selflshness and supreme lack OF con-
sideration OF the welfare OF others
The only purpose of It's existence Is
for the qualification of the lowest
in mankind.
To tell the people of those two states
something of the benefits coming TO
Virginia through prohibition Will De
your special duty and privilege, ana
/ know you will prove equal to the
task. Under prohibition, Virginia has
been greatly blessed In many ways
Today when we hear that some OF our
boys have gone to Emporia. Peters
burg, Richmond or other places IN
which liquor was sold. we have no
ESaES rs Oh oil. w huOw thCy wal >C''~
back sober instead of drunk as so
many of them used to do. We see
little OF the effects of liquor in the
lives of our boys and young men now,
a result worth all the cost in money.
time, and energy to the friends of pro-
hibition. The reports coming up from
all over the state are to the effect that
great improvements are noticeable on
all hands. Home that were once in
poverty and misery are now supplied
with the things that make home a
place of Joy and happiness--the wife
happy because the husband no longer
spends all his earnings In strong drink
and makes OF himself a brute to be
dreaded by her and the children, the
children happy because they are no
longer face to face with starvation
and a brute OF father. In fact. they
have learned what home really is.
Virginia is, indeeo, a new state. and
many. many people who favored the
saloon two years ago are now friends
OF prohibition. and do not hesitate to
say that they would vote dry now
If they had an opportunity.
Wishing for you pleasant trip and
for those who shall hear YOU q heart
ana mind that will enable them to
see the truth, | am,
Very sincerely,
w. b. VALENTINE.
Member General Assembly
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-10-26

to Judge the tree by its fruit. and as
result the formerly wet sentiment In
the state has practically disappear ed.
Pro license advocates and champions
of local option, who in years goae
were wont to bitterly oppose all sug-
gestions involving statewide prohi-
bition policy, have in amazingly large
numbers become converted. Right
here in Lynchburg l can name many
citizens who used to fight as leaders
against the dry cause. but who now
are among the most pronounced
friends OF the prohibition policy
this because having had occasion to
observe the effect of that policy when
actually applied.
You will, of course, recall that dur
ing the statewide campaign much
ado was made by the vets about the
loss of revenue to the state likely to
saloon. AS a matter of fact, all such
iugubrious prophesies have entirely
failed of realization. The report just
issued by the state auditor of public
accounts shows that the financial con-
dition of Virginia Is far healthier.
more robust and more promising than
1t was when the state treasury annu-
ally received hundreds of thousands
of dollars as license fees from liquor
dealers.
The entire matter. as I see 1t, has
passed beyond the realm of debate or
controversy so far as Virginia Is con-
cerned Firginians could never be
persuaded to return to the old order.
For approximately year prohibi-
ton has been on trial In Virginia, and
as result 1t has abundantly Wndicated
the claims that were made In Its be-
half prior to its adoption. 1t has
already saved hundreds of thousands
of dollrrs. perhaps millions, to the
Virginia people which otherwise
would have been fruitlessly and ruin
ously dissioated. 1t has already serv-
ed to mend scores OF broken lives. 1t
has already accomplished the mission
OF rebuilding and restoring many
whiskey wrecked homes. 1t has
already and vastly increased the sum
of human happiness. Of human con-
tentment, of human upiift, through
out the borders of the commonwealth.
Thanks to prohibition, virginia is to-
day happier, better and richer than
ever before in all her history.
Yours very sincerely,
WALTER Z. ADDISON.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-10-26
GEO. =. AID ANS,
Ex-Trea surer Nottoway Co.
Danvtlle. Va October . te17

Danville. Va, October 2, 1917.
Rev. Jas. Cannon, Jr.. d. D,
Richmond, Va.
Dear DR.. Cannon:
I am decidedly of the opinion that
the prohibition law now in effect In
Virginia has been highly beneficial to
our state, both as to business and as
to general moral conditions.
l have reached this opinion from
my own experience with the city en-
ployes under my oversight; from OBJ
serving the labor OF our industries
from the testimony of our business
m en-, and. as to moral conditions. from
close study of the question per-
sonally.
Cotton manufacturing is our chief
single industry There is a ten mil
lion dollar corporation which employs
thousands of operatives. They tes-
tify to the fact that their output is
greatly improved in quality and guam
tity.
Our largest industry taken as a
whole) is that OF tobacco handling
The testimony from very large ma
jority Of our dealers Is that the pro.
ductivity per employe Is greatly i'm.
| proved.
| Our bankers. merchants and bust.
ness men generally with remarkahl,
unanimity endorse the prohibition
law.
Our ublic records, the testimon,
OF doctors. ministers, social worker.
and police officers unite in the testi.
| mony that the general moral welfart
OF the community is greatly helped
| by the prohibition law
| With best wishes, | am,
Yours sincerely,
| FRANK TALBOT
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-10-26
Mem Der General Assem-
Harrisonburg, Va. oct 8, 1917.

Harrisonhurg, Va, oct ., 1917.
DIR. Jas. Cannon. Jr.,
Richmond, Va.
Dear Sir:
AS you are doubtless aware. there
were five or six saloons in this city
when the state went dry. II was the
only wet spot In the Shenandoah val
ley from Roanoke through to the
Maryland line. We therefore, have
good opportunity to contrast the diff
ference between conditions as they
were before November /. when the
stnta. wsrt ar.,.s *. req 81 s.e.
that This city, I may say, was then
known for its saloons; 1t is now known
for Its banks and. churches. Business
In all lines has improved: numerous
persons who formerly were loafers
or unreliable as laborers are now
steadily employed. Without exception,
think such of our merchants and
business men. who voted against pro
h!titiou are now heartily In favor OF
IT, 1t having been demonstrated that
business is better and moral and social
conditions are improved under prohi-
oltion. In my opinion. at least SO per
cent of those who voted against pro
hibition would not vote for IT, Under
vet conditions, there was scarcely a
morning one or more men were not
brought before the mayors court for
drunkenness. l do not know but one
single instance of that kind since the
state went dry. In the eleven months
since the state went dry. l have no:
seen but five men under the influence
of liquor. either here or elsewhere In
ray travels In the state.
Prohibition has not only equalled
but exceeded the expectations of its
friends in this state
Very truly.
GEO. n. CONRAD.
State Senator
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-10-26
Enporia, Va. october 6. 1911,

Emporia, Va. October 6. la1T
NJ 9ahies Cannon. Pr,
Richmond. Va.
My Dear Doctor;
In reference to the effect of prohi-
bition upon the material and moral
welfare OF the state, I have to say that
my town, as you know, was one OF the
stronsholds of the liquor traffic, pos
s!bly being more deb ~uched than any
other place in the state except Phoc-
bus.
Of my friends, such as the ex-county
Judge, and other men of prominence
that our business would be destroyed
and values very much deprecated. II
liquor was not sold in Emporia
/ am interested In several mercan
tile establishments in town, as well
as the banking business, and our books
will show that the bank deposits are
fully 25 to 80 per cent more than a
year ago. and the stores sales are
running from 20 to rs per cent better
The five and ten cent store, Is doing
considerable better business than
before, and this is patronized by a
class of poor people who usually spent
their money for drink.
The bank deposits, or saving ac-
who never had an account before at
bank. has wonderfully improved
showing that the poorer classes are
paying attention to their savings.
The moral conditions have been SC
changed for the better. that our people
can hardly appreciate the fact of their
having lived under the old conditions
for so many years, without revolu-
ton.
I believe 95 per cent OF our people
are well pleased with the new condi-
ton of affairs, and would not under
any circumstances g6 back to the sale
OF liquor.
Even some Of the liquor dealers
themselves do not hesitate to tell me
that they think prohibition is good for
Greensville county. as well as the town
of Emporia.
We have just had conviction in the
last few days. under the Mapp bill
of three fairly prominent citizens in
the county, as we'll as being men OF
some considerable means, but plead
guilty to the illegal manufacture OF
brandy. and were promptly sentenced
to thirty days in jail. and 5000 each
nne. The Mapp law Is great
With kind personal regards, / am,
Yours truly.
w. r. CATO.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-10-26

Lynchburg, Va. October /. 1917.
Rev. James. Cannon, Jr., D. D..
Richmond, Va.
Dear DR.. Cannon:
l have yours OF the 29th. Prohibit
tion In this state Is doing the splendid
work which it's friends claimed I,
would do, II given trial; that is, it
would remove many temptations from
the weak and drive out the saloon,
which is. and always will be. the
home OF the worst element OF society
Prohibition builds UP thrift. morality
and raligion and all things which
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-10-26

Petersburg. Va. Oct ., Is
Rev. James Cannon. Jr., -. D..
superintendent Anti-Saioon
League OF Virginia.
Richmond. Virginia.
Dear Mr.. Cannon:
Complying with your request o
4th instant that send you a l.
stating what effect I think prohits
has had upon the material and q,
welfare OF the state, beg 70 asr
II has proved OF inestimabie bene
every respect.
Before the state went dry. I va
a number of years prosecuting ATTIC
Ter the city Of Petersburg: and M.
perience was that about so per o.
the crimes committed were direct
indirectly traceahie to intoxicatin
quors, since statewid prohibitions
been In force. the number OF crime
been practically cut in half: and ] 1
or number OF habitual drum
whose transformation has been a.
marvellous. l do not recollect hss
seen as many las FIVE drunken men
the prohibition law went into .;
The officials In charge of the Jailj
clamoring to be put upon salaries
er than fees, claiming that tina pro
ton law has so depleted the 1ails
they can hardly make expenses.
nave gone by in which there wat
an arrest made In the city. The he,
In which the bar-rooms were los
are. think. without exception, nov
cupied by merchants engaged In
parently profitable businesses; and
extremely rare that a person ca
found. outside of those heretofore
lively engaged in the liquor bust!
who, irrespective of how he vote
the statewi de election, would not
dry now. The most sanguine EXP
tions and claims of the dry advc.
have been exceeded and many OF /,
who voted wet are amazed at ths.
suits OF the prohibition law.
The law Is we'll enforced throua3
the state: and my observation n
Its people are prosperous. contenteS
happy.
The loss OF revenues derived 81
state and municipalities from "a
licenses has not been felt, and II
instance of which / am aware
taxes been raised.
AS an az dent and conscienttous
ponent OF 'atewide prohibition At|
time the state was voted dry reed
said to me, ANY man who does
say mat prohibition has been a :
heneft to the state. is either 4 Id
n fool"
Sincerely yours,
RICHARD H. MAN
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-10-26
Yours vary truly
. y = u F5ist4Ff
Pres. state Normal School for Women.


Charlottesville. Oct. rs, 1917.
Rev. James Cannon, IT,
Box COS,
Richmond. Va
Dear Mr.. Cannon
In reply to your note of October
18th. beg to say that, so far as my
observation goes. the prohibition law
in Virginia In working excellently aH
regards the rising generation. OF
course. ] have had particularly good
opportunity TO observe the workings
of the prohibition law in connection
with the students of this university
While there never has been one-tenth
as much drinking, on the parts of our
students. as gossip gave them credit
for---nevertheiess there was some, and
] know that drinking has now beer
reduced to the vanishing point. II at
tribute this satisfactory condition very
largely to the effects OF the prohihi-
ton. law. As The father, of two sons
and the friend, believe. of host OF
young men, VIII say that / rejoice
that the present prohibition law is ir
effect in Virginia
AS far as concerns people beyond
middle age. I know OF certain cases ir
which the law works a very distinct
hardship. There are not many suct
cases, however, and l realize the fact
that such a stringent prohibition Law
could not be put into effect without
working hardship In some cases.
cry +rttfy- y~sst.rr,--
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-10-26
President state Normal school
Bedford, Va. October IL. 1917.

Bedford, Va, october IL, lsl7.
Dear Or. Cannon:
Replying to yours of the 18th inst.
would say. that the results OF prohibit
tion in our state have far surpassed
my most sanguine hopes, both in the
Improvement OF society and the en-
forcement of the law
Drunkenness, which was common,
is now extremely rare and the lars
proportion of our factory hands wages
that was spent for liquor lin one fac
tory between so and IS per cent? r.
now used for the betterment of homes
and Its inmates.
We feel as did the English poor
when the tariff on wheat was removed
there can be no more absolute suf.
fering now. There are still number
who insist they must have the quart
month for medicinal purposes and
we are disposed 10 think that those
quarts are not always imribed by ths
parties ordering: but OF course W.
expected the OLD topper to use every
possible means TO get liquor. witt
/ best wishes for you and your work
along SO many lines. ] am.
.,, Sincerely yours,
| L. SUMTER SMITH.
! Educator.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-10-26
washington. October - 1q17

washington, october IL, 1917.
Rev. Jarles Cannon. Jr.,
7o1 East Grace Street,
Richmond, Virginia
My Dear DR.. Cannon:
Your letter of October 4, addressed
to me at Marion. has just been re-
ceived.
In response to your request for nv
opinion as to the effect prohibition has
had upon the material and moral well
fare of the state of Virginia / will saw
that II has been my observation that
the working OF the Prohibition law has
fully met the expectations of its
friends. and this is saying much.
The law has been faithfully and
fairly administered and many of those
who strenuously opposed its enactment
now express themselves rs thoroughly
satisfied with the beneficent results Of
the Legislation.
II has increased the efficiency of
our people and has been a potential
FACTOR In the moral uplift of the state.
There need be no apprehension that
any backward step In this connection
VIII be taken In Virginia.
With best wishes. am.
Sincerely yours.
B. T. BUCHANAN,
Ex-State Senator
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-10-26
Suffolk. Va. Oct. 9. 1917.

Af"tN' ''A'' ~ -
Df James Cannon,
Supts Anti-Saloon League of Va.
Richmond. Va.
Dear Doctor;
1t affords me much pleasure to say
that under prohibition in Virginia the
Improvement upon the material and
moral welfare over the state. from my
observation, has been simply marvel
Gus. The betterment of conditions
under prohibition cannot be overesti-
mated | hear no complaint what
ever except from the people who were
formerly engaged In the business. The
Ian is we'll enforced aad-tAe- masses
o. people are very we'll salified Will,
present conditions.
Yours very truly,
X. J.. BREWER, JR..
Memher General Assem- iN