The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-08-03
DR.. CANNON DECLARES POLLARD CHARGES
ARE ABSOLUTELY FALSE AND SLANDEROUS

example, 7 thought that Mr. J. W. Hough and Mr..
r. 8. Barbour, both of whom ex-presidents of
the League, and both OF whom the Ex-
ecutive Committee, had a perfect right to their
influence AZ individual citizens in their communities
work for Mr.. Pollard have not heard that
Pollard his friends have declared that any Of
these members of the Headquarters Committee who
supporting him misappropriating their
influence
If had desired to influence anybody against
Mr. Pollard why did ! not try to influence the
members of the Headquarters of the Executive
Committee? How did it happen that was utterly
powerless with any Of these men. II am such
Caesar, Kaiser the newspapers declare, how
does It happen that I had little influence with
my closest friends and associates? AS matter OF
fact, I never tried to influence a single member
of the Executive Committee of the Ant-saloon
League any OF the rank and ne- MIR. POL
LARD KNOWS THAT THE CHARGE THAT HE
MADE ON THAT POINT is ABSOLUTELY
FALSE
II had intended to influence anybody, would
naturally have attempted to influence the Methodist
ministers OF the State. the readers of the Chris
tian Advocate. Not line has been written in the
has been said any Methodist gathering that
could in the slightest possible influence any
body Mr. Ellyson against Mr.. Pollard.
According to the statements OF Mr.. Polard's
friends he had the solid support OF the rank and
file of the League, and Of the majority OF the Ex-
ecutiwe Committee WAS TT WRONG FOR THESE
ANTI-sALOON LEAGUERs TO BE SUPPORTING
MIR. POLLARD OPENLY AND ACTIVELY? Ger
tanly not Membership in tho Ant-saioon League
does bind a to support any party, or any
faction any individual nor does it hamper the
activities OF any Mr. Hepburn. Mr.. Hough.
Mr.. Barbour and other prominent Anti-saloon
Leaguers had perfect right to support Mr.. Pollard
and to urge their friends to vote for him. and
have criticised them for their activities.
What Are Ny Rights?
But am the only officer of the Anti-saoon
League who has no rights7 Has every other mem
Der and every other ofacer the right to express him
self and to urge support for his friends. and no
right to have any choice, to express choice or
do nothing to secure support for the men whom
I think should be elected? Am I required to sit
dumb oyster. like gagged and
bound hand and foot9 When dare to state, as
other citizen a right state. that propose to
vote fer Mr. Euyaon for Mr.. Saunders and for Mr..
Brown. I to be denounced violating the
principles OF the Anti-Saloon League" by men like
Mr.. Pollard. who have done nothing but criticiss
the Anti-saloon League?
did not take any active part in the campaign
up to the 5th OF July. doubt II there is another
citizen of Virginia active in public affairs and in
terested in the conduct OF the government who has
less part than myself I had very decided
opinions concerning the candidates I did not ad-
Mr. Pollard. I thought he using
prohibition simply a spring board. and after his
personal treatment of my letter had confidence
fairness where
cerned In my previous article I gave
why. after investigation. decided vote for Mr..
Ellyson simply preferred him to Mr. Pollard.
and had right to nay choice without giving
for II anybody
But did not go round denouncing r. Pol
lard. urging to vote for Mr.. Ellyson. Many
OF my closest friends in the State have written
expressing surprise that had not told them the
facts concerning Mr.. Pollard before they had
intended to vote for him. but that they knew
the facts they could not support him.
NO. THE CHARGE OF MIR. POLLARD. AND
NOW OF THE "wEr' NEWSPAPERS, THAT
HAVE TRIED TO DICTATE WHO SHALL BE
GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA Is AN ABSOLUTE
FAIEEHOOD. AND MR. POLLARD KNOWS IT
AND THE WET NEWSPAPERS KNOW 1T. But
1T GIVES A RALLY1NG CRY TO MIR. POLLARD
TO URGE PROHIBITION VOTERS TO VOTE
FOR HIM BECAUSE. AS HE FALSELY SAYS, I
AN TRYING To THE 'Dft1 toIE I'D
THE MACHINE" AND TT GIVES TO THE
"wET' NEWSPAPERS A RaILYING CRY TO
ALL THE 'WET' VOTERS OF VIRGINIA TO
RESIST THE "KAIsERIsM OF AN ECH4EsIAs-
TTCAL POLITICIAN"
Why Mr.. Pollard Made the Charge.
why did Mr. Pollard make this charge against
mo? We have that It not because It is
true. Mr.. Pollard made the charge for a distinct
purpose. and that purpose is revealed in let
ter sent by Mr.. ]. W. Hough. OF Norfolk. to Mr..