The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-12-22
RHODE ISLAND VOTERS
Reject Wet CANDIDATES
Most Vigorous Campaigns Ever
Wagcd.

The liquor interests Of Rhode Island
prosecuted one OF the most vigorous
campaigns put up by them in any
state IN the union. They were espe-
ctally hopeful here because Of the at
titude taken by the last legislature
toward ratification.
The Providence News became to all
infents and purposes liquor trade
journal. misrepresenting facts In an
effort to mislcad voters. This paper
is being affecuonately quoted by liQ-
nor trade journals all over the United
states. But in spite OF 4 campaign OF
Misrepresentation the indications are
that the next Rhode Island legisla-
ture will ratify.
The defeat OF Senators Troy and
Casey. who voted to indefinitely post
pone ratification. In significant, but
perhaps more far reaching in its ef-
feet ie the defeat of Congressman
C'Shaunessy who last winter voted
asaipst submitting ratification to the
states.
The drys were successful IN re-
electing Senator Colt and Congress-
man Shines who cast their ballots for
subm ission. These two men were
compelled TO look to the temperance
people for their recollection while Mr..
O'Shaunessy made his bid openly for
ZIG hQuOE tDtS. Sp NN0t VIC IC~CIC<eAAOn
Of these men IL really the Endorsement
Of their votes for the submission Of
the national prohibition amendment
and the best possible evidence OF what
the voters Of Rhode Island want done
1t the coming session OF the legisla-
ture
The defeated o'Shaunessy was 60
peciaIly vindtctive in his attitude to-
wards national prohibition. In An
tvta ,4vjo~x f1A - thA ynta
taken In congress submitting tho
amendment. Mr.. O'Shaunessy Is quot
I'd AZ .avinE:
THE Y azhingttn Times says that
the ccoCr esq OF the Omitted States con-
sists Of per cent total abstainers
so pee cent moderate drinkers and
- per cent hard drinkers. Two-thirds
OF these men have voted for national
prohibition. No doubt the presidents
order stopping further manufacture
of whiskey and limiting the percent
age Of alcohol In beer would have
wisely solved the drink problem for
the United States. Prohibition
fanatici~m and congressional hypo-
crisy have otherwise decrecd. Our
prohibition friends. however. were not
satisfied and seek by this amendment
through action OF thirty six out Of
the forty-eight state legislatures to
have minority Of the people impose
their will upon a majority In a Quce-
ton dealing with personal habit. Tho
population OF thirty-six confirming
states may be millions less than the
twelve protesting states.
"One grows less hoastful OF the
institutions Of America when many Of
its Legislators redolent with whiskey
are frund voting vociferously for pro-
hihition. Fear OF petulent critics. .
revcrent eye on the payroll and \
comfortable chloroforming Of their
own cnnsciences accompanied their
e~'ce Dvn~r-isy and fear are mighty
poor props for prohibition
The drys also made gain OF. SIX
ssesss svassrk on fhe license question
and lost ffn1ss The writ towing going
dry are East Greenwich. Westerly.
Gloucester Richmond. Smithfield and
New Shorthand Eight towns that
were dry before Tuesday elections had
a population Of 1884. The six rain-
ed on November have total popu-
lation OF 2l426. Charlestown re-
NAMED wet by a majority Of three.
Foster by a majority of seven. Mar
raransett Pier by majority OF ten.
Scifuate by a majority OF nine. Some
81 these may come over In recount
These i've towns remained wet by a
total majority Of thirty-nve votes
which indicates n decided loss In wet
sentiment. BurrillvilIe in 1915 went
vrof nv 632