The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-02-19
Certain Of Constitutionality of The Bill and
Informed as to The Law in Consultation
With Attorney General Pollard, Cover
nor Afxes Signature With Pen Of DR..
w. Asbury Christian.
No Ostentation, No Ceremony Marks Ac-
tual Signing, But News Of 1t, Reaching
Legislature, Is Greeted With Applause
Petitions For Election to Be Circulated
as Next Step In Fight

Without any hestitaon Governor yesterday signed
the enabling act and only remains for petition of
fourth of the qualified equal in number onefourth Of
the voters who participated the last general election TO be
filed with the chief executive calling an election on
the question of whether Virginia shall be dry
Governor Stuart in the presence of only his secretary
Alexander Forward and his assistant secretary W. W Martini
using the gold furnished him for the occasion by Rev. W.
Asbury Christian put his signature to the BILL despite the fact
that strong efforts have been made during the past days
deny the constutionality of the measure.
1t took but short while to read the two briefs submitted
Tuesday by Senator Early representing the forces and
Senators Mapp and Walker and Dr. Cannon representing the
dry advocates
Early handed his the governor Tuesday
ing while Senator Mapp delivered the brief defending the bill
late Tuesday afternoon.
After going the matter Governor Stuart called into
consultation Attorney General John Garland Pollard and
within few minutes after the consultation the bill duly
signed
News Greeted With Applause
Without pomp ostentaton before the secretaries
Governor Stuart made the enabling act law at lo3 Clock
Immediately after the bill signed Secretary Forward went
the senate chamber and communicated the to Senator
Mapp then the house of delegates and whispered the
glad tdngs to Judge Martin Williams floor leader and patron
of the bill
The announcements were duly made and in the house
of applause rent the though the house the
midst of sharp debate the rolling stock bill There
ceremony whatsoever the signing bill Governor
Stuart would nothing say regard it, Reporters
going the office of the chief executive referred to Mr.
Forward who stated the would make statement
other than that he had signed the bill
There has beeen little doubt the camps of both the drys
and the vets to the governors attitude on the enabling act
freely stated Tuesday night that he would the BILL
and it will have go the courts if attempt is to be
made to head off in the State of Virginia
That the whskey faction will at this signal defeat
assured and is also freely stated must their fight in the
will result in the their fight in the general
sembly and before the governor did,
More for Circulating Petition.
The pen with which the bill signed taken to the
office several days by Dr. W. Asbury Christian
who asked Governor Stuart he signed the bill to the
Governor Stuart asked the doctor if he vetoed the bill what
would he
Dr. Christian told him that in this he would suggest
that Senator Lesner furnish the pen.
Steps already foot get the petitions circulated in
the proper number of be signed before
summer The election will held September 22nd unless the
decide against the assembly and the Of