The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-09-23
Dry State.
Continued from page two,

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legitimate business In this stnte the spc-
girc cases have yet been pointed out,
But 10 tho contrary volumes could lie
written of the testimonies by business
men OF the beneficial effect and Improved
eondition under the new regime.
Hon; Fred U. Blue, commissioner OF
prohibition. has reports from many cities
ana towns showing the effects OF prOlllOi-
tion in relation 10 crime and dfurIkeIi-
hess. MI; Blue says these reports SNOW
that prohibition In. been even more sue
cessful In this state than In any other.
Reports from 81 Municipalities snow to-
tal numbe or arrests for the year ending
June 30. 1914. 10 be 1921.
Total arrests for the year ending June
y. 1915. 1.-THE first prohibition year,.
'.,Sl, a reduction Of almost iifty per
For the year ending June 30. 1919. there
were 1898 persons arrested for d:uniSen-
lyl5. but :.172 were arrested for the
same offense-a decrease OF abut IS per
cent.
Fortunate indeed is the state OF West
Virginia in lmying rs commissioner Of
prohibition Hon. Fred o. Blue. We owe
Blue hns fearlesSly, cOnscientIouSly and
with marked success secured the enforce.
inent OF U prohibition Inv. Such de-
rotion 10 The cause. such iatthfulnuSs to
shN N"A AiiiISFNA hlpH mn AcANtAT ~
sturdy patriotism worthy OF emulation
By tho young manhood OF the state.
The West Virginia A~nti-Saloon I.eagur.
With It's wise und efficient leader. Mr..
George w. Cralbe, should have hrurtteSl
commentator for the valuable cu-oper.
hIbittOn and its successful activity for
hIw enforcement.
Governor Henry D. Hatfield. whose ad-
miniStruIion enjoys the distipctlUn Of put
Ting nIrNhiltilnlfN iuIn kffnsT Ista fIsfg "a.
say of prohibition:
Its wonderful results the more We like
Il. The results have been marvellous to
everybody, aud We lind that even among
the element that WINS opposed 10 the
state being voted dry" that there is Il
gracious disposition manifested 10 give
the experiment u fair trial. We have en-
perlenced no serious obstacles 10 tho
strict enforcement OF the inv. and l he.
lieve this In II lHrge measure IL duG TO
the very eScsllent campaign OF education
winged mons the people OF the state
during the interim thIl marked the tIIt-
iilcatl0r VI The prohibition amendment IN
November. 1919, and the passage Uf the
legislature enactment In February, 1913.
to tile first day Of July, 1914, when the
law became effective
West VIrginla's prohibition law is the
stTictest found on any OF the statutes
books. and for this Tgason ! believe u
10 he the best. No effort was SpHr'< 10
liAAbA 1lt iEOlHt athA lh fAOh bFAOiAS
were strict and that the law Was bacned
up BY severe penalties.
We aye an excellent organization nj
officers 10 see that the law Is strictly
enforced. and under the direction OF Mr..
Fred D. Blue. State Tax Commissioner,
who Is eX.Officio Commissioner Of Pros
h.biiIOu. We are accomplishing surprls-
lnSly III satisfactory results. In the en-
forceinrnt OF the law We have had the
hearty cooperation OF the municipal and
county officers. which Ia so essential to
the enfOi cement Of the law.
"Our anticiputiuiIs have been morp
than realized and West Virginia expects
to make the state the idenl prohibition
state In the Union. Legitimate business
enterprise has not suffered. but tiops-
ands OF families have been happier aud
grocery bills. rentals and Other neccs-
sary Items OF expense Rre being paid
promptly by the men who formerly drank
and gambled nwny their earnings while
wives and children went hungry.
Governor Hatfield by his public dec
larations, his cooperation with the COM
missioner Of prohibition for enforcement
Of the law. his consistent md friendly Mt
tltnde has proven hat lie is In hearty
sympathy with the law and that he in
tends 10 do all In his power for Its suc-
ceSS.
The circulation OF a-petItIon to the
governor asking for the assembling OF
the Legislature for the purpose OF con-
siderinS the question Of re-suhmission