The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-03-14
by William f.. johnson in American
Issuc)


hibition in 1913, at the general cleo
lions held that year. II will be an IN
itiated proposition. The only ques-
ton now at issue among the drys is
the character Of the proposition TO De
put up to the people. Last year TWO
constitutional amendments were m
itiated simultaneously. one or thein
proposing complete prohiDition OF
the sale and manufacture OF ali alco-
holc liquors except for sacramentai,
medicinal. scientific and manufactur-
ing purposes. The second PROPOSE
ton eliminated the saloon and con-
fined the traff1c to drug stores and
10 sales by manufacturers in guam
titles Of two gallons and upwards
The purpose of the second amend
rent was to continue the manufac-
ture and wholesale selling of wine
and beer.
II ID pretty we'll agreed among the
srys that only one amendment should
be submitted to the voters but there
Is some difference OF opinion as to
whether an exemption should be
made as to wine and beer. as before.
This matter Is now being discussed
IN series Of conferences being held
in different parts OF the state.
Lessons of the Last Election.
In 1915 both propositions failed by
marrow margin, considering the to-
:al vote cast on the propositions
There were 43se3s votes for abso-
lutte prohibition and as1,o3s for the
second proposition. merely prohibit
ing the drinking place. Outside OF
San Francisco and Alameda counties
absolute prohibition carried by ma
sority OF l.4S3 In the whole state
A5 per cent of the people voted for
absolute prohibition, while AIS per
cant voted to close the public drink
ing places In 1918. therefore. the
irys will be obliged to secure gain
OF only S per cent or the question
of ABSOLUTE prohibition and less than
la per cent on the second PROPOSE
ton in order to win.
IT 10 Of interest to note that the
gain of the drys In the strong dry
counties OF the state increased but lit
Ito over the vote 10 1914. but in the
wet counties Of San Francisco. Con-
tr Cost, Marin and San Mateo. the
dry vote Increased by more than 40
per cent The lesson OF this is that
II IL In the wet counties the drys
mus, look largely to make sufficient
gains to win next year.
In Fresno county. which has 40
100000 grapev.nes the greatest grape
county IN the state absolute prohibit
-
proposition carried by 6oS2, show'ng
quite eloauently that the grape cen
:ers OF the state were not $40 much
attracted by the grape argument as
localities where no grapes were
raised The whole grape argument
proved to be more or less OF fake
in those counties where the grape In
dustry was best understood.
Ducking for Cover.
No matter which proposition II
launched by the drys. the alcoholics
see trouble ahead for the saloon
This IL apparent in the numerous
propositions now pending In the leg
stature. all designed more or less TO
remedy the saloon evil without
nbating the evil. II Is proposed IN
.ome form or another to abolish the
skunk evil without destroying thu
hunk. a rather difsicult undertaking
AS sample OF these measures
kssemhIyman Merriam. OF Long
Beach has introduced three bills. one
10 prohibit selling on Sundays and
holidays between P. NJ. and Z A. NJ
another to prohibit giving liquor
away on the nights OF election. and
another 10 require n bond Of $4,000
from LIQUOR sellers that they will
obey the law and pay damages grow
ing out OF the traffic.
senator Knight has four bills IN
The hopper: one to prohibit sales on
trains. except in dining cars; one to
prohibit sales in booths and dining
bedrooms, one TO prohibit dancing
In saloons and one to abolish the
eorixontal bar, compelling people TO
sit down az they lap UP the suds.
windy Rilr' Scott has pending a
rroposal to appoint a commission to
investigate the liquor traffic. without
pay
Assem blyman Petit. OF Fresno
county, has a bill pending which con-
tains some real sense. He proposes
hat the state vi.icultural commits
sion be charged specifically with the
duty OF studying the culture Of table
and raisin grapes, In the past the
celebrated viticultural commission has
devoted its entire attention to the
wine grape culture and has devoted
special attention to grinding ont ar
ruments against prohibition and root
ing for the lawless saloons.
The Rominger Scheme.
The proposal that has attracted
most attention. however. is a bill in
reduced and promoted by Senator j.
A. Rominger, which prohibits the
manufacture and sale of liquors con-
aiming more than 10 per cent Of al
cohoi. This proposition has the back
ing OF the Hearst papers and Is being
promoted chiefly by these organs. II
is aimed at whiskey, ostensibly but
It has stirred up delightful mess
The. claim that the measure will
close the saloons - a Joke, as every
body knows that It will close no sa :
looms whatever. The measure has
the secret backing OF the brewers be-
cause it will practically eliminate all