Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-21

suggests, that ut will helm tho Demo-
cratic party" The league does not
choose ito help or hurt" tho Democratic
party. 1t is not responsible for the facts
concerning the record and position of
the various candidates for public office.
The capdidatcs themselves make those
facts. The league Is simply respon-
siblc for making an Impartial state
ment concerning the attitude Of candi-
dates on the liquor question. That Is
what the league did In reference to the
candidates in tho Democratic. primary.
That is what tho league has done in
reference to the Republican candidates.
The suggestion on the part OF The
Times Dispatch that a "little band of
wiilful mcE" is endcavoring to main
taip Il balance Of power. and throw
its influence first to one party and then
10 another, according to which IL most
subservient to its dictation." is not
borne out by tho present facts. or the
past record OF tho league. II the Demo-
cratic party had nominated Il man who
had committed himself to the repeal Of
the prohibition law, or to a policy of
nonenforcemcRt, there would have been
very sharp issue raised for settlement
in the coming November election. But
the Democrats candidate not only has
rot declared for Il repeal or weakening
of the prohibition law. hut he has now
definitely stated that lie considcrs pro-
l
majority of the people of Virginia;
that hc Will enforce the law. and an
rru"c additional Legislation far It's
more effective enforcement.
The undersigned believes that il" -
IS acknowledging and as consistent =,
member nf the ..nti-Saloon Learu, a.,
any one in Virginia. and yet he has not
hesitItcn 10 write to ali persons ~ho
have written to h!m that he cXp.c,S
70 vote for Mr. Davis. and that. ic-
'ording to his understanding, partic!-
patton in the Democratic primary
bound him tn support the nominee s
OF that primary. unless there wcr. de-
NSiopmcnts after the primary sufficient
to justify a population Of the nominal
lions. Moreover. having always been a
Democrat in principle. he believes that
;hc national Democratic administration
should receive the support which would
naturally come to IL from d Demo-
cratic victory in NirEin;a
But. while AS an Individuals tine under
signed expects to vote the Democratic
ticket. and hopes that the Democratic
ticket viii be elected. yet his position
as an individual Toter would not Justify
the perDctration of an injustice on the
Republican candidates by him as an Of
ficer OF the Anti-Saloon League OF Vir-
ginia. The records of the Republican
"andidates for State Offices upon the
repiies 10 the answers Of the Anti
saloon League are satisfactory. These
arc simple facts. and unless the Anti
saloon League OF Virginia is false to
IT'S principles thoso facts must be pub
.ishcd II is true that the Mann law
he Byrd law and the enabling act were
II passed by Legislatures controlled
=! tho hcmocrntic party. and the law
at present being enforced by a
democratic administration. but il is
'h!: just 10 the Hcpublican party to
stale tina; the Republican members Of
me Legislature were almost Solidlv In
favor or the various prohibition enact
HiehtF. and that in the Statewide eler-
non the great majority OF the Rcpub
!'cah voters Of the State voted for pro-
nihit!on !, would certainly be an In
rustic" , the Republican supporters OF
~ -''f!-'>;-ioor League OF Virginia for
"a" 'hs"e - :Gnorc the replies Of the
u 'i'r"iican candidates. or to refuse Ia
""F. my statement concerning them
~ NV" Itself to be used TO help the
Democratic party.
NJ" -. .Iuncv ana Davis IN tb.;r
rt"iicS t" the league. intimuted that
-! heid the Same view :,s The Times
,.".ialth cdi,".' u. to the functions
tEe league. ior they animated that
'',cF expected - rccniv. the support
:" nc league hcclu.,.. their pecords
". n
headquarters committee stated vory nos
nIFciS III rcr!Y tC their letters that
us Gniy junction OF The icadounrters
Committee was to give information ~
VIC voters concerning The record and
p"i'.on OF candidates. and IL was then
'ci' l" the voters TO decide for wh,m
they would vote
AS between the alternative prooost-
ions put up TO the league by TIL.
,..n,so Dispa,eh; namely. that TIC
league shall choose whether II viii
htip the Democratic party or burr
IT, ire league will choose neither \
WIZ 90 as ii has done in ihc ua,t and
CONNIE Its activities tn the on. MIR
pose ior which il was founded. ,,.re
~ the destruction of tho b,ynr,,,.
iduor traffic and II Will without no,
sonai or political bias sivc 20 ~.
voters OF Virginia the facts in ..,,,pr,..
non win the record and position ,f
candidates for such public Z, Gi,.cs -.
ere connected with the making ar on
forcing or prohibition l.w., ;,nt, frn,,,
,h'" position it will not he s,verr.1
oS inc criticisms OF individuals or of
newspapers which either do MOI nm.
acrstand or desire to misrepres.nt I'm.
policies and methods Of the iearuc
JAMES CANNON. m.
SUPERINTENDENT -N1ti-Saloon League or
Virginia.