Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-05
Our Three CnndIdntc.

|
Our Three Candidates..
To the Editor Of The Times-Dispatch
Str.-Elcction day Is nearly here and
yet the general Understanding con-
| corning the exact and definite and lit
| eral attitude of the several candidates
on the live issues of the day is some
what misty and becloudcd, and con-
| fused. 1t is not at all n bad idea or
an unwelcome sign that Governor
should now be expected to have a plat
FORM or principles. or that he should
be a leader of the people, and take
the initiative in great movements and
vital emergencies. Especially in such
nm emergency as this war has brought
upon us we want the strong captain
as we'll as the faithful magistrate, and
just here l will say for what IL IS
worth that. in my opinion. 1t is high
time we were putting aside the out
worn and ridiculous notion that q
good Governor should not be available
to succeed himself If. in n special
emergency. the people want him for a
second term.
But this is aside from what we start
cd out to say. namely, that the sew
eral candidates owe 1t to themselves
and to the people OF the State to thor
ouGhly impress upon the people what
they stand for, and why they are i'm
periling, perhaps, the most important
policies of the State by a divided can
vass.
Beginning with Messrs. Ellyson and
Pollard, both well-known and highly
esteemed citizens and public servants,
We are treated at a late hour in the
campaign to thorough making over
OF their respective records with refer
ence to the issue of prohibition. Both
are first pronounced perfectly satisfac-
han hmm Iiof al. q u
Is denounced for several reasons con-
corning which the public mind is not
perfectly clear or does not really care
to go into. The other is strongly sup
ported partly because he is a good Bap-
tist or good old Confederate SOL
die., or a good prohibitionist, mono Of
which are to his discrcdit, certainly,
but are regarded by large number
Of intelligent citizens being aside
from the proper plane OF discussion
when we come to the selection OF n
Governor In such times as arc now upon
US. So there arises confusion and un-
certainty.
Davts's Attitude Not Clear.
With reference to Mr.. Davis the sky
Is not any clearer, because first The
newspapers have published nothing
very definite or even very intelligent
concerning his attitude on the liquor
question; or, what is much more to
the point, concerning his understand
ing of the duties of Governor with
regard to the execution of the laws.
For example. we have been told that
he announces his willingness to en-
force faithfully all reasonable" laws
governing the manufacture and sale of
intoxicating liquors. Now to DE will
ing is better than to be unwilling. but
il he only used in that connection this
rather weak noun. he might have Sc
ifr,r, aTaf Iva f0r u irI,
would be. 1 have not tn. slightest
doubt. highly pleasing to the people.
Secondly. If he used that qualifying
adjective, reasonable" with refer
ence to the execution OF the State pro-
hibition law. the question arises, who
is to be the final judge of what is
reasonable or unreasonable in the mat
ter of enforcing the laws. or in Sc
lecting among the laws which to en-
force. Should II be the Governor, or
the representatives OF the people?
Confusion arises at this point because
few voters believe that a man of even
ordinary intelligence would have made
to his friends and to himself to dis
claim 1t, otherwise II will do him an
injury.
Again there seems to be a general
understanding among the disinherted
liquor people that Mr.. Davis is special
and they appear to be following him
en- bloc. This refers to the people who
lost. and are daily losing, their form
er business of making and dstribut-
Ing Intoxicating liquors. who appar-
emily think that he will decide that
the anti-saloon laws are unreasonable
and therefore will not be enforced Or
by some cunningly devised hocus pocus
even the saloon will be restored 1t
Is uncomfortable that Mr.. Davis has
any such notion. The thing is so pre-
4posterous as to be either pitiful, or
amusing, just as the turn of mind may
suggest that right upon the magnifl-
cent record which prohibition has
made in Virginia there could be found
man. and candidate for Governor,
who imagines himself strong enough
to overthrow the policy and fact Of
prohibition. and to bring back the in
tolcrable and inexpressible nuisance
Of the saloon. But. however. unthink-
able and ridiculous 1t may be, there is
doubt and confusion right ut this
point. which should be cleared up at
once.
Prohibit.onist Needed.
AS private soldier in the ranks of
prohibition since 1855, l have shared
it's temporary defeats and it's final
and magnificent victories. Naturally
l would be unable to support any man
who should attempt to reverse so
decent cause, to render a lifeWork
void. and to make it again necessary
for another generation to Vomit out
tho saloon. y greatly exaggerated
eGotism might possibly dream Of such
a thing. but the result would be such
a spectacle of political self-destruction
as to be an example for all time TO
come.
1t is with an equal earnestness that
l appeal to all the friends OF prohibi-
ton not to suffer the errors of our
leaders to bring upon the sacred cause
an irreparablc injury. Those who are,
either directly or Indirectly, emphasize
ing church lines and ecclesiastical in
fuences. as such, in the determination
OF a gubernatorial contest, are open
to this charge. Let them beware lest
the Indignation Of tho true and tried
friends OF the cause should become
moro formidable than the assaults of
Its enemies
BENJAMIN c. MooMAw,