The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-01-15
PEOPLES FORUM


This letter sent TO the Richmond Evening
Journal last saturday. It has not yet beer
published by that paper.-~Ed Virginian.
Editor the Evening journal:
sir-i have read your editorial statement
with figures taken from the annual report OF
the Attorney General Of North Carolina show
ing that the total number OF criminal prosecu-
tons in that State has increased in 1915 over
the year 1919. and that the number OF crimes
brought to trial in 1918 was greater than in
1910. also read yonr further editorial com
ment IN your issue Of Thursday evening rather
expressing surprise that prohibition newspa
per nor other prohibtionist had ventured Ia
attack your deduction that the increase in the
number OF prosecuted cases had resulted from
prohibition in our sister State. and gathered
the impression that YOU desired alta elk, This
assume TO be your feeling in the matter
II is probably natural and TO degree exeus-
able, that you should seize upon any apparent
evidence to support your prediction position
IA favor Of the open saloon. However, with
your kind permission. would be pleased 10
consider with You for few moments whether
the asUTes Won quote from the ATTORNEY Cen
erals fcport-ana accept them as probably
correct--rcal}y support your above mentioned
attitude.
Ny recollection * that about two hunrreo
more criminal cases were prosecuted in North
Carolina in 1914 than in 1919. / am not ad-
vIsed TO the actual increase In population in
North Carolina for the two years mentioned
but doubt not ~nch increased population would
reduce the number OF crimes prosecuted per
1000 Inhabitants down nearly to the level with
the years 1909 and 1910.
However, I do not rely npon that proba bility
ss major argument nga inst your attitude in
favor OF the open saloon. | doubt II there ~ q
well-in formed prohibition voter in the State OF
irginis who is not prepared 10 the number
Of prosecuted crimes increase in this State un-
der the prohibition law which goes into effect
next year. and am willing TO go further aud
say right here hat IL the number OF prosecuted
crimes in this state does not Increase materially
IN the years 1917. 1918 and 1913 I shall feel
that prohibition has been far from success
Please note the world wide difference in the
conditions sought TO he established under state
wide prohibition OF the liquor business. Under
the regime of the open saloon in this State daily
there is being committed anywhere from ten
thousand to nifty thousand acts which for the
commission OF Hike acts being arrested
and prosecuted in North Carolina
The presence absence OF prohhtory la "
does not make the liquor business proper or
improper The dispensing OF liquors. as this
country mas Witnessed ii for four generations
Is crime against God and humanity and the
dispensing OF such is as much of actual crime
IN Virginia today it Is in any prohibition
State
| The difference between North Carolina and
Virginia is that North Carolina has already
outlawed the liquor business and In using her
reasonably best efforts to enforce her laws
Every man with sense enough to be allowed on
/ the streets without The protection OF A. nurse
knows tina THE liquor business is essentially law
less. 1t Is lawless where regulated and licensed
IL Is lawless everywhere, and from It's very :
ture. II North Carolina not making the
fight she I. against the lawless traf1c within
her borders. YOU Mr. Editor. would condemn
her as making failure OF her prohibition law;
now that she Is resolutely enforcing her law You
cry out that prohibition makes criminals You
certainly know better than this. You know
that prohibition never made criminal: II sim