Evening journal., 1919-09-04
Virginia Dry Rule Brings Revulsion
Lrrom the Ncw York World.l J

virsinis's recent primaries for mem
hers OF the Legislature have given In
aisputable proof, according to state
ment issued yesterday by the Associa-
ton Opposed to National Prohibitions,
Of reyulsion Of public feeling against
professional reformers. The primaries
held on August D. brought the first puD-
Iic expression at the polls on Prohibi-
lion since the wartime dry law went
nto effect on July 4.
The issue, says the association, was
not so much the straight-out question
VI wet or dry as Il was whether the
lnti-SaloOn League methods OF en-
orcement are satisfactory 10 the peo-
)ls. The answer was an oNerWheihl-
ne Reputation OF Prohibition as it now
ltands in Virginia. according TO the
itatement.
Or. ]. sydney Peters, as Prohibition
Commissioner. was already eforcing the
Virginia Prohibitory statute. His pow
sr's were such as the Anti-SalOon League
: seeking 10 establish through the Vol
iiead bin which has been passed by the
House OF Representatives and now
awaits the action of the Senate. Or.
Peters methods aroused much discon-
'ent IN the Old Dominion The state
nent OF the Association Opposed to
rational Prohibitions. says
From a tour of Virginia and from
the local neighborhood newspapers OF
the state the association Is enabled 10
1--WE the lineup in Virginia and its
momentous lesson to the country at
large. A despatch from Richmond car
ried by the Associated Press and pub
lished in all the leading newspapers OF
the State the day after the primaries
stated:
Returns from every part OF the
State indicate a revulsion OF sentiment
against the retention Of the State Pro
hibltlon Department Practically all OF
those candidates who ran on an anti
Prohibition Department platform were
nominated. sending down 10 defeat
'ome OF the oldest and strongest ad-
socates OF Prohibition
Then followed a report In detail OF
how the counties and Senatorial dis
fricts voted The most important in
dication OF the results, so far as the
national interest Is concerned, was that
the most remote rural districts showed
a strong majority against the Prohibi-
tion Department OF Virginia.
In the Fourteenth Senatorial Dis
trict, where this Prohibition issue was
sharply drawn says the Norfolk Vir-
ginian Pilot and Landmark, Walter
Tansil Oliver defeated j. C. Nfeetz for
several terms a member OF the House |
Of Delegates and avowed adherent TO |
The state Prohibition Department. by a /
majority Of 300 votes. Oliver has been |
n recognized leader OF the vets for sew
sral years.
p p Buford Of Brunswick county
who resigned commemorative At
iorney Office there because he said he
felt he could not conscientiously en-
force the Prohibition statutes. won the
race for the House Of Delegates by a
large majority
Brunswick county comprises rural
territory, and the county seat Law
the largest town IN the coun-
ly, has a population Of only i,733. Con-
iinuing. the Nirginian Pilot and Land-
mark says:
Or. Peter Winston, one OF the old
ast members IN point Of service IN the
House and a strong supporter OF the re-
Ientlon Of the Prohibition Department.
'f"~ N'ANNNNA hf il'n0AAAnN VI |
Rice.
William B. Cooke, svowed oppon-
mt of The Prohibition arm Of the Gov
'rnmeni. defeated present Senator Sid
icy B Barnhsm in Surry and Sussex.
Both Surry and Sussex are rural
'nunties. with no town OF consider
lpie size in them, whose county seats
lre mere yillages.).
With Senator Barnham there went
Town 20 defeat J. Henry Presson. pre-
the candidate for the drys. He !
vas outdistanced by Colonel Horace L.
smith, a member OF Governor Davis's
tan.
Governor Davis Is not In sympathy
With the Prohibltionists now In control
n Virginia.
IN a spectacular contest Captain
ohm Newstead Tabb OF Gloucester
ouniy won for the House OF Delegates
0ver four competitors on platform
Ieclaring for the abolition OF the Pro-
ibiiion Office.
In the Thirty-nlnih Senatorial Dis