The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-07-16
Editor Virginian:

EDITOR Virginian:
Some time In May, 1917. severa
Members of the Farmers club her,
sked me how Mr.. Westmoreland Da
is stood on the Temperance ques
ion," saying that the matter had beer
discussed in some of their meetings
IN May &c, 1917. | addressed the fol
owing letter to Mr.. Davis:
May %. 1917.
Mr.. Westm oreland Davis,
Leesburg, Va.
Dear Sir:
As president OF the Anti Saloon
league Of Orange county. have
been requested by q number OF
farmers and other voters to ask
you for statement OF your posi-
ton on the liquor question.
How did you vote IN the wet
and dry election In Virginia. bet
ter known as the statewide cleo
ton?
Did you take an active part in
said election? Do you favor
strengthening the present prohibi-
tion law?
Should you be elected governor
of Virginia. would you afflx your
signature to sound and sane legis-
lation, having for its purpose the
strengthening OF the present pro-
hibition law of this state?
Please understand that these are
not idle questions. but are Ques
tons nppermost in the minds OF
10000 majority of the voters in
the state of Virginia. and as you
are seeking the highest Office with
in the gift of the people. we have
a right TO straightforward an
sWer TO these questions.
1t is my purpose to hand your
reply 10 the gentlemen who have
requested the information and it
will be given due publicity.
A reply at your earliest conve-
nience will be appreciated.
Yours respectfully,
(SignedD c. D. QuISENBERRY.
President Anti Saloon League OF
Orange County,
About June 3, 1917, | received tn,
Morven Park Farm, Leesburg. Va,
Westmoreland Davis. Owner.
June !, 1917.
c. D. Quisenberry, ESQ,
President Anti Saloon League,
VI hhSN, u
Dear Sir:
have your registered letter
marked personal and important,
in which you ask me certain ques-
tions in regard to my attitude on
prohibition.
I voted for local option I wrote
a letter to Judge Christian Just
prior to the election setting forth
my views and what I had found
on trip to Maine about the work
ing of the prohibition law there.
/ was not otherwise active in the
campaign. because | thought 1t
was a question each man should
decide for himself. I was greatly
influenced in my decision to vote
for local option by the fact that
Woodrow Wilson. in whose judg-
ment | have great faith, and other
y sociologists thought that 1t was
the best method to secure temper
ance. I am a total abstainer from
the use of alcoholic drinks.
We have now state prohibition
law administered by prohibition
commissioner. who has a separate
department of state government.
There is an "ouster law" with the
aid of which he can cause removal
from Office of those who fail to
rigidly enforce the law. we have
the bone dry law. which prohibits
the importation into dry territory
Of liquor. These are strong agen-
cies specially created for the in
dependent enforcement of the pro-
hibition law.
I am a Democrat. and always
cheerfully accept the will OF the
majority and IL elected governor
will enforce the prohibition law,
just as l will under my oath of
Office enforce all the laws OF the
comm onwcalth.
You must remember that the
duties OF governor are OF
semi judicial character. He, to-
gether with 1.-The concurring
branches of the legislature, make