The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-01-12

not stop, he said. at local option, but
wanted statewide prohibition. When
| that was obtained they set up the
olamor for national prohibition. He
demanded that somebody tell him what
more Virginia can justly do than set
the good example.
In an effort to confuse the issue he
declared that he is a "prohihitionist
all the way" and that he would be in
favor of law prohibiting the use
of tobacco as well as liquor. He asked
what the people would do If there
should be revulsion of sentiment on
this subject after its adoption and de-
clared that the people would have no
way TO change the law again unless
they could get thirty-hve states to vote
with them. He wound up with flow
cry peForatton about the great history
OF the Old Dominion.
Night Session.
When the house met at 3 o'clock
Floor Leader Willis suggested that
time be hxed for closing the debate
and s:46 was fixed as the hour for
the vote. Delegate r, A. Anderson, of
smythe, opened the debate with q stir
ring declaration that in ratifying the
prohibition amendment Virginia is act
hing for herself alone. that this action
does not bind any other state until
similar action has been taken by thir-
J
state would have the right TO COM
plain because they are under tho con-
stitution just as Virginia is, While
the people of the state have not voted
upon this specific question they have
certainly done so in substance. he de-
clared. and he assured the delegates
that the people knew what they were
doing He referred to the suhstan-
tial dry ma ority in his own county
and he declared that he was not afraid
to go back home and tell his constitu-
ents that he had voted to ratity the
amendment.
In regard to states rights he de.
clared that moral forces must always
be heard and he vigorously declared
that Virginia would always take the
right side of any moral question. He
evoked a vigorous round of applause
by saving that America will lead in
the movement TO make prohibition
worldwide,
MeetHs Starts Fireworks.
Delegate Chris ]. Meetze. OF Prince
william. complimsnted the new mem
bers on their oratorical ability as dis
played In the debate He urged that
delay would be foolish. He said:
IF you wait on the people OF New
York 10 ratify this amendment God
knows how much suffering and misery
win be caused by the traffic in liquor
pie talk TO US about wanting fair
chance. If anybody ever had a fair
chance It is the liquor people
He took up vigorously the editorial
utterances of Arthur Brisbane, writer
for the Hearst papers, and defended
the public course of Hon. w, j. Bryan,
who, he said. IL responsible for the
election of President wilson Tor both
terms.
Delegate Gordon interrupted to ask:
isn't Virginia dry enough for you
with the Mapp law and the Reed law
without amending the federal con-
stitution?'
Il am like Billy sunday" retorted
Msetze.
II want to see this world so dry
that you will have to prime a man be-
fore hs can spit"
Tunuituous cheering and laughter
greeted this retort and after II had
subsided Meetze asked;
Does the gentleman from Louisa
wish to ask another question:"
THE gentleman from Prince will
liam ~ entirely too dry for me- said
Mr.. Gordon.
Major Stubbs' Address u Feature.
The debate reached its highest In
terest with the address from Delegate
James NJ. Stubha, of Gloucester Ma
ior Stubs is Ii veteran of the war be-
tween the state and of the turbulent
years that following during the period
of reconstruction. lie has always
been known as an ardent advocate OF
prohibition and as Il menber of the
general assembly drafted the first
local option bill ever passed in Vir-
ginia. He said that in no instance
have the people ever been asked to
vote upon the adoption OF federal
amendment. Delegate Gordon inter
1rupted to ask.
Wont this law supersede the laws
OF Virginia z"
Certainly" answered Major Stubs,