The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-10-17
MR.. BLAkT LETTER.

We print In the Peoples Forum today
unique letter from Mr. George Med. Blake ia
which he makes the rather remarkable declara-
I tinn that his firm sells liquor only IN scaled
packages and for the purposes aaued ia tbiS
act referring TO the provisions q she Enabling
Act empowering ,he Legislature ii 1916 TO pass
Law permitting the sale OF ardent spirits for
.sneaicinal. mechanical and sacramento pur.
poses Mr. Blake says lac secs no reason why
his business should be disturbed following the
complete triumph OF Statewide prohibition in the
recent election tn Virginia. He asks INC ii-
pfnsan to state whether his construction is cor.
rect and 4 not, 20 define the limitations Hnder
which ardent spirits may be sold after prohib.-
stion goes irto effect in 1915.
SIR Blake asks US to do what his hrm has
dcne so well as to make il unnecessary for as
IL perform the service Mr.. Blake is senior
member of the firm of George Med. Blake Co,
inc, and as he speaks Of my business We think
lhis firm would hardl2 make any important pub
sic declaration without the knowledge or CON
Il ssnt 81 1r bake IN tAe .TtmesDispatsh Of
srptember Is last four days before the vote
on state~iav prohibition there was printed CON
spicuously an open letter, appeal, from
Messls George McD lslake Co. and two otner
grocery firms Who also deal in liquors. in which
& tsev urse4 their patrons 10 20 70 the polls and
yate against Statewide prohibition In this let
tsr Messrs George McD BfaEe 60. and their
to.busincsa firms @ilo @ere strenHoasiy opposing
slatewfde prohibition. said We wish to ac-
quaint thcm l.bcir c4stomers1 with the fact
that II statewide prohibition Is adopted for Vir-
gania we can no longer ft orders for icines aud
lsoaars for CIR castsm~es" They state further
shat
~rhc Law vaica the pronibitionists propose to
eaalt for Virginia makes it unlawful fer MS to
sell wines, spirits beer in the State, While
1ac law permits the manufacture OF wine ana
lser Ia the state IT specifically provides thaNall
\ ines aad pe,r manufactured in Virginia must
b sold IN Sumo other State; they cannot be
lawfully sold in Virginia
Fir. Blake, in his letter to The THglnian says
that as the Enabling Act authorizes the sale of
tluuor Ter medicinal mechanical and sacramen
;ai purposes. he secs no reason Why his business
should BE- disturbed and adds q only sell liquor
III sealed packages In connection with my gro
3 Gerry busine,s and for the purposes named N TINS
aInabHngi ActT This does not accord with
what Mess-s George Med. Blake & Co, and the
other firms who joined him in an appeal against
& Statewide prohibition. said in letter 10 their
customers printed in the TimcSDispatch and
other We, Richmond papers. In that letter we
I md this language.
AS our customers are aware, we carry in CON
nection pit,i our family grocery business.
stock Of wines and liquors which We sell as
required FOR H0NE CONSUMPTION. We sup
riy 4" wines for culinary purposes, for sacra-
mental purposes and for medicinal purposes
nc we'll We also supply liquor to those who
wish 10 keep a.suali supply in their homes
Another paragraph Ct the same letter makes
this positive and interesting statement Nov.
II atatewide prohibition is adopted for Virginia
nc gsn Do compelled to discontinue ms line Of
oar bHs5a-ss. loa know how much this dscon-
tinnance would affect yoa and your ncigbbors.
Nc could nor fH anu critters, creH far utaos,
Tfom any Of goa for any purpose mo,h lcss
osders for e5>ao.r b@1orages"
And a,iN further. before MAILING, their nnal
appeal ta ,Aeir patrons and friends 10 vote
against Statewide prohibition the three firms
s.rning this letter says.
-our purpose I'm writing this card IS to &C
ruaint you aitb tbe facts already stafed-,hat
sis sta,ewi5e prohibition Is adopted next Tues.
day you wis he rempelIed 70 place orders out
side o. Virginia for wines and liqnors and take
y rt.ances what yoa gel in return for your
saeney'
II seems, therefore that Io firm Of wbirh
4 onr versatile friend, Mr. George Mcp. Blake.