Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1913-03-20

e.
the Prohibition Amendment by the
enactment of a drastic law 10 sup
press the sale and limit the use OF
liquor when the amendment goes into
operation July /, 1914.
Under the provisions OF the new
law private consumers of whiskey or
other heavy alcoholic-drinks, such as
wine, rum, etc, can only be Sc
cured as medicine after a bona tlde|
examination by a reputable physician
and must be filled at drug store
Only one prescription can be- filled
for each examination by said sphysl--
clam, who must also make atfldavl,
or give positive proof that the person
receiving such prescription for any al
coholic stimulant is not known to be
addicted to the use of intoxicants or
narcotic drugs. The new law car
r;es with it for any violations what
ever a fine of from 500 to $500 tor
the first offense, in addition to jail.
sentence of from 80 days te-six
months. The first offense is to be
construed as a misdemeanor but the
second offense is to be. prosecuted
as felony and carries a much hea-
vier fine and penitentiary sentence OF
Probably the worst sufferers IN
case the new law is enforced will be
the many magnificent club houses IN
the state. Nome are exempt.
About the only persons or organ:-
cations who do not come under the
provisions of the drastic measure are
the churches and societies who use
wine for sacramental purposes. Even
these are limited to small supply.
The express companies and com
mon carriers are restricted to the
amount of Liquor and alcoholic stimu-
laats they carry into the state. The
RECORDS for such transportation must
at all times be kept=in separate books
and be open at all times to officers
of the law who are suspicious that
the law is being evaded. These Off
GERS, once their suspicious are arous-
i ed, as to where the "boozeo is
housed, do not have to go through
the formality of securing search war
rants but can forcibly enter any
building or structure under suspicion
and make any desired investigation
The same penalties apply to trans
4 portation agents for violating the law
Las for vielators of itsaAsale. Drug
| stores are also included md are not
from oae to five years.
permitted to import, handle or sell
patent medicines containing more than
liz of 1 per cent of alcohol
The law puts unusual power into
the hands of the State Tax Commits
sioner, whose members are given the
authority to see that=the law is en-
forced i'm every community in the
state. 1t also gives prosecuting at
torneys of the state most extraordi-
nary powers for, aside from prosecut-
ing, attorneys are authorized to offer
!. rewards for the apprehension of per
sons charged with violation, or may
( expead money for the detection of
violators. Amy money so expended
must be paid out of county funds and
and is unlimited SO far as the district
attorneys are concerned.
| The sale and manufacture of pure
Ieidar as "a beverage and for vinegar
purposes is permitted, but this must
be done under the supervision of
commissioners, who shall be named
/ for the purpose, and under such rules
and regulations as they may prescribe
The stringent measure once having
been considered in its many severe
attitudes to the liquor question in
the state it is little wonder that con-
certed movement is being arranged to
attack it from many different quar-
tiers. One of the first of these viii
be to have a number of amendments
at the coming special session Of the
Legislature to be called by Governor
elect Hatfield -Advocate.