The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-02-14
rHE srATE rREss ANp TnE wEnB nIrA.

regulating the interstate shipment of liquor as
righteous measure and one in consonance with
the principles of State rights.
Doubt as to the coustItutionality of the meas
ure is expressed by some. while others are not
certain that 1t will accomplish all that its advo-
Gates hone but with very few exceptions favora-
bic comment has greeted its passage and even
those who doubt its constituionaliy or its effec-
tiveness subscribe to the principle involved.
The Bristol Herald Courier thinks it possible
that the measure viii not accomplish all that
has been hoped, but nevertheless considers it "a
long stride toward the great end of making the
prohibition laws effective wherever they exist"
1t continues:
u would put the bootleggcrs and the blind
tiger operators in prohibition communities quite
out Of business And that would mean, for
instance end of the notification of the proh-
hitiou law in tho larger cities of Tennessee for
should Che Webb bill become n law. the prohi-
htti~rf law those cities world become praC-
ticaIIv seff-rnfnrcfng The Webb bin is a
righteous measure. recognizing State sovereignty
and exploding the theory Of the phiskey in
terests that interstate commerce. is too big and
/ powerful a thing for congress to control. The
hin is said to have been carefully framed with
view Of meeting every constitutional objection
II is confidently believed that the measure will
reach the president in few days and that he
will approve it.
The stanton Leader hopes that the bill will
have the effect intended, but the ease with which
it was passed and the surprising majority for
it makes it suspicious, at may be that the
wording of the bill will afford some loop-hole
for the defeat of the purpose of those back OF
the bill" 1t says, and adds that it would not be
surprised should such prove to be the case, The
staunton Daily Netcs delivers itself of sarcas-
:
ject, but concludes with the statement that 1t
hopes the bill will get by tho president, for the
principle it embodies is right and proper and
the Nc'os is believer in State rights.
The Roanoke World evidently believes that
the bill will prove effective, for 1t says. apropos
of the fight ON the enabling act in the next
general assembly that senators who dwelt with
emphasis upon the foolhardness of establishing
Statewide and allowing Washington, Baltimore,
Wheeling and other cities to food the State with
liquor, will find their old argument forever ell
minated"
The Rockingham Record calls the passage OF
the bill "as signal a victory for antI-sa1oon
forces In the nation as II was unexpected" and
also sees the end of of the greatest argu-
+
Record apparently believes with the Bristol
HeraldCourier that President Taft will sign the
bill and holds that 1t is constitutional
The Danville Register is also inclined to dis
miss improbable the fear that the measure
is loaded" 1t says:
| or course, efforts will be made by the OPP
ponents of the Webb law to have it's consttu-
tionality attacked, and resort to the courts of
last appeal may be expected We have not
seen the text of the bin and of course have
no idea as to It's terms. 1t may contain
Joker concealed beneath its verbiage and
that will annul its intent, but we hardly think
the advocates of the measure have allowed
themselves thus to be imposed upon.
The Newport News T5ptes-Heratd says that it
does not favor Statewide Prohibition. but as
each State has the sovereign right to regulate
and control the liquor traffic within its borders,
1t follows, as a corollary, that when State
votes dry another State should be prohibited
/ from committing trespass and making the dry
! State wet"
/ The Charlottesville Progress does not know
whether Taft will sign or veto the bill. appar-
entity thinking it mere matter. Of chance
whether the president will "blunder" again or
aceidently do the right thing Perhaps the
president viii not veto the measure" 1t says,
but leave Its constitutionality to be tested by
the Supreme Court
The Lynchburg Net0s discusses the probability
of veto in an able and thoughtful editorial
and thus sums up its argument that Mr. Taft
should sign the measure:
II he believes the law is unconstitutional he
also Knows that his signature does not make
it consttutional--and before going into
operation 1t can be annulled by the courts, and
hence harm will result IL he withhold his
iveto-~provded his view upon the constitutional
aspects of the is correct But If he
the and succeeds in killing the bill. he will
assume the responsibility OF numbering the de-
mand of the people, expressed through the
action of congress by numbering the possibility
Of judicial action by which his constitutional
objection might be either vindieated rejected.
The latter alternative appears TO be gross
and indefensible executive tyranny that we
are loath to believe Mr. Taft capable of in
voking it.
This is in line with the position taken by
The Virginian. Where a great difference of
opinion exists. with able constitutional lawyers
on both Sides Mr. Taft will act unwisey If not
arbitrarily and tyrannically in yetoeng a meas
ure which the people demand. The place for the
settlement of the constitutionatty of the meas
ure under such circumstances as these is in the
Supreme Court,