The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-11-03
Prohibition Anvil
Aftermath,


We have never believed, and do not now be-
lfeve, that should prohibition in Virginia halt
with the provisions carried by the Enabling Act,
the effect would be to more than measurably
reduce the consumption of intoxicants in Vir-
ginia. So long as no adequate restriction rests
upon the importation by individuals from other
States of ardent spirits, the abolition of saloons
and the restrictions placed manufacturers,
will simply change the sources of supply, render
ing the obtention OF liquor somewhat
troublesome and expensive, and stimulating by
prospects of greater profit the various sorts
Illicit traffic.
Therefore. have taken for granted that
the directors OF the prohibition movement would
not be satisfied to rest the results already
achieved, but would seek to- have the term of
the Enabling Act supplemented Uy future stats.
enactments prohibiting absolutely the making
Of any sort of intoxicants in the State, and
outlawing absolutely their transportation into
the State except under strict regulation, for
medical and sacramento purposes. We do not
subscribe TO the view expressed in some quarters
that the advocates of prohibition would be act
ing in bad faith in seeking to obtain from the
General Assembly of 1914 thereafter, laws
which should rectify the deficiencies OF the En-
aiding Act practical step towards suppress
sion Of the liquor evil. In fact, as insisted
during the contest the referendum, popular
ratification of the propositions submitted would
be but barren victory for the of tenn
perance were nothing more to be done to affec-
tuate the object sought.
This is abundanty proved by the experience
of other States. Previous to the Virginia cleo
ton in September last 1t vehemently IN
sisted that substantially similar version Of
Statewide prohibition had worked with entire
success in North Carolina. Our contention was
to the contrary: mad the correctness of that con-
tention has been confirmed by the recent
nouncement OF the Anti-Saloon League of Caro-
lima of It's purpose to go before the next Legis-
ature asking the passage Of prohibitory laws in
! remedy Of the demonstrated inadequacy of those
the statute books This is an adrnis-
sion, conclusive though tardy, that the past out
come Of the present laws has not been salts
factory
Under the amendment recommended by the
league 1t will be a misdemeanor for any per-
sc n, firm. corporation social club. agents
officer, or empoye thereof, to have In posses
sion. anywhere at any time. any wine, beer,
liquor, bitters anything that will intoxicate,
and the delivery of the came to anybody within
the state is guarded against by the most strin-
gent sort OF requirements Only legalized de-
positores licensed and registered pharmacists
and hospitals will be allowed to have handle
whskey In any shape The maximum supply
allowed these will be twenty gallons OF liquor,
twenty five OF vinous,. ond fifty Of malt Sup
plies may be secured only after iron bound ap-
plicatons naming firm from whom 1t is to be
dered. of parties to handle 1t. inventory OF
previous supply. and the presentation OF a clean
blu OF health as to previous violations OF the
/
after the proper oaths and affidavits have been
filed with the register OF deeds by whom alone
permits for the shipment into the State be
granted. This permit must be attached to any
package of liquor coming into North Carolina
There he but permit month.
/ If prohibition ia to be anything more than a
name in Virginia legislation along these and kim
! dred lines must he added to that which by stip-
ulation of the Enablig Act will go into operation
two years hence. II that Is not done, 1t would
have been better, in Judgment, that the
license system had continued to prevail. II pro-
h!biton Is to be tried as solvent Of the prob
/ lem of intemperance, it should be real prohi-
bitton and be given honest trial. There Is
no use in damming mp the domestic fountains
and leaving the foreign rivulets to flow in
i checked There Is in an ostracism
brstling with loopholes and exceptions. There
| is no justice in sumptuary regulations which Gre
ate privileged classes, The prohibition leaders
! in Virginia would, in estimation. be false
| to their moral professions did they not recog-
n.ze and the obligation to do all in their
power to make their remedy for intemperance
absolutely effective. If the reform Is to halt
at the halfway station and they are to be con-
tent with writing amendments into the CODE con-
ditions will be worse than before.-virginian-
! Pilot