The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-02-27
THE ANTT-sn1ppIxG BILL AGAIN

THE 3NII-@HlPiiNG BILL A18lN-
In another column We publish letter from
Mr. s. Brown Allen, Of stanton concerning the
anti~hipnug bill which was introduced in the
senate by Senator Mapp and IN the house by
Delegate Pennington. and which was considered
BIZ the senate committee on general laws on
Wednesday night At the hearing on this bill
Or James Cannon, representing the Anti.saioon
league. advocated the passage OF the BILL declar.
Ing thai the Auti-Saoon League Of Virginia
favored II. not because It was an ideal bill. or
because It gave the league all that 1t desired.
but because ii was a great deal better than the
present law. and the league preferred to get
something rather than to get nothing.
Mr.. Allen seems 10 forget that the present law
of the State Of Virginia does not prohibit the
shipment OF liquor into dry territory. but per
rlats It, and practically without any restrictions.
Notwithstanding the fact that Staunton has just
voted dry. every man in the city over twenty
one years of age can have shipped TO him all
the liquor that he wants,
In communication to The Virgtnian yes
terday DR. Cannon stated
"Thc antiahippiug bill is admittedly restric-
tive legislation. and not strictly prohibitve. VIII
the legislation be hurtful? That Is the only
question the league Is considering"
II Mr.. Allen has studied the antishipping bill,
he will be obliged to recognize that it Is great
improvement over the present Law. 1t requires
every person to send in written order, 1t for
bids the sale Of liquor anywhere credit, II
requires the cash To accompany every order, 1t
torhids the railroads and express companies to
ship any liquor c. O u, and requires all charges
10 be prepaid Il prohibits the shipment OF
more than one gallon at time. and that cannot
he delivered 10 any person except the consignes
or an agent whose identity can be clearly estab
iished
These are some Of the provisions Of the bill
and The Virpintan believes that they VIII great
Iy improve conditions in the dry territory. That
this view is shared by the liquor dealers Is
evidenced by the fact that the bill reported
from the committee on general laws with
amendments providing that the limit should be
three gallons instead Of one, and that the Law
should not 20 into effect until Norentber
1916. This indicates how difficult it is to gel
any genuine advanced legislation. and how i'm
possible It would be To secure the passage OF s
iaw 1T fff7EfB tf-e prohibiting tire shipment Of
liquor into dry territory,
The Tiyq.nign cannot agree with Mr.. Aller
that "the Dill encourages the shipment OF LIQUOR
It discourages II by making it much more diff
ae4slt tea4e44F4 IL fsffeef tire present law
The bill does not in anywise affect the ques
ton OF Statewide prohibition provided for by
the enabling act. Should the state vote for State
wide prohibition next September. the law woulc
wipe out all the saloons and shipping houses in
Virginia and then 1t would be within the
province Of the legislature to pass law govern
ing the shipments Of liquors from wet cities
without the State OF Virginia. II Is the hope OF
the Antisaloon league that legislature VIII be
elected in 1915 which will make it possible tc
pass adequate antshipplng laws, but Mr. Allen
knows fuI we'll, IL he has read the reports oil
the proceedings Of the general assembly OF 1915
and Of 1874. THAT the present senate Of Virginia
is not in sympathy with antilquor legislation
and thai a prohibitiye and anti-shipping bill has
had no chance Of passage
We hope the Anti-saloon league may be sue
cessful. and may even yet secure the passage
Of the aatlebippine bin, as introduced, notwith
STANDING tae evident purpose Of some members
of the senate 10 hnl il by making it non-efective
until November. 1916