The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-07-20
JUDGE ALLEN ON TIE LIQUOR
fESIIoN

Judge Oliver II. Alien. in his charge TO the
uttered sentiments that have found frequent ex-
preston in the editorial columns of The Tir-
gialdm. We reproduce. from the Durham sun,
that portion of his remarks dealing with the
saloon breeding place of crime. and with
the responsibility of the authorities for law
forcemont These are self-eydent facts, patent
to all thoughtful observers, but glad to
have them emphasized by SO eminent an au-
thority:
another fruitful source Of crime Is the Of
Intoxicating liquors II has been demonstrated
that SIS per cent of the crime committed in this
country is traceable re the use of Intoxicating
liquors Take up this docket here this morning
and / haven't looked at itand you, squeeze
the whiskey out of it and we won't be here til,
this evening.
THE people OF North Carolina have passed
the prohibition law, and 1t is up 60 the people to
Tint II is enforced, l have never tried
son for killing his father but that whskey
WAC back OF the crisne. L. haze never
tr.ed u father for killing his SON. a brother for
wife but that whiskey back Of the crime
Is it any wonder then that the people of North
Carolina have passed this prohibition law?
"The enforcement Of this law rests with the
1uries and the officers Of the law. Wherever
you find community in which the law Is not
/ being enforced you viii find "A community in
which the jufies and the officers OF the law
rot doing their duty.
If SIS per cent. of the crime of the country is
produced by the use of intoxicating liquors,
what possible excuse the State, whose bust
ness is partly the suppression of crime. give for
entering into partnership contract with those
who dispense the stuff that produces this de-
structive effect? Crime poverty. insanity. SO
eAal- dohauchery, are heavy liabilities on the
State They are not TO BE- eondoned because the
saloon revenue is an asset. If indeed ii Is The
revenue of the saloon lis much more than
swamped by the drain of this tremendous and
terrible liability.
The enforcement of the law is responsibility
upon the juries and officers of the law, says
( Judge Allen; and he filings forth the challenge:
Wherever YOU find community where the law
is not enforced it is community in which
the authorities not doing their duty. Well
said. We are weary Of the way that negligent
or impatient authorities have of attempting to
harness the responsibility for violated Law upon
the shoulders of the public.
a case in point has come to recent notice in
the fragrant defiance of law at the resorts near
baltimore Md. So often and so obnoxious haa
the violation of gambling, drinking and Sabbath
laws become that the Baltimore papers have
been demanding more faithful and rigid en-
forcement. The marshal. replying to criticism.
says: IT you stir up public sentiment, l think
the law be enforced" This officer. whose
sworn duty 1t is to prevent far as possible
the violation of the law, and who collects with
scrupulous and conscientious regularity his sal
AIRY for the faithful performance Of his duty
has the audacity to charge his inefiiciency
unfaithfulness upon the public This is not an
uncommon resort of officials under fire We
have frequently heard it, To be sure, public
sentiment 10 valuable ally of law enforcement.
but the official in his duty and his oath stands
upon his own responsibility. and there can be