Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-02-29
VIRGINIA DRY
7 YEARS HENCE
Absolute and Complete Pro
hibition in Cities and
Counties
AWAITING DECISION.
AWAITING DECISION
OAtcome of Webb-K Kenyon Law. Now
Before u. S. Supreme Court, Will
Bear Upon the State

Richmond, Feb. 29-ADSoluIe anu
complete prohibition is possible 70
! every city and county in the, State al
this time-or when the new law be-
comes operative--if they so deter
mine. They have that right under
the law.
Even if there are no counties or
cities so deciding there will be two
years hence a move to make Flr-
ginia dry. Senator Mapp who led the
fight for the prohibition and COM
panion bills, made it clear that such
was the intention of the State two
years hence.
Before the next Legislature comes
here there will have been Il decision
| in the Webb kenyon law which IS
now before the Supreme Court Of the
| United States. That law absolutely
| prohibit; the shipment of liquor from
wet State into State in which
| prohibition obtains.
The law is being tested by the ex-
press companies of West Virginia,
which have brought suit to have the
matter adjudicated. They seek to have
final hearing and ruling.
If the law is held valid then there
iran &c no shipments whatever INTO
States which have shut out liquor.
Under no pretcxt whatever Will IL
nuor be allowed to be sent from one
State to another, and those who have
| asked for 4 law to prohibit the bring
inc in of liquor will have their wishe:
rratifed.
Pending the decision Of the Webb
Kenyon laws validity, the bill rcgu-
lating liquor in Virginia was drawn.
The fact that there had been no de-
.is:on in the matter dictated the
drawing of the Virginia bill! so That
the shipments could be regulated TO
| rhc minimum. 1t is believed that, in
case the law IS declared void, the one
quart per month will he enforced.
and in that way the volume of drink
ing will be reduced to the minimum.
Senator Mapp will, in accordance
with his announced plan, ut the next
session of the Legislature, offer a Dlil
to wipe off the quart per month. and
| see to it that Virginia will have moth
ing but prohibition after that time.
This will be done by enacting a new
bill repeating the one which has al
ready passed the Senate, and when
will simply provide that no liquor OF
anv sort shall be made. sold, trans
ported. furnished. served, given, stor-
ed or supplied to any person or per-
sons at any time anywhere in the
State of Virginia, retaining the penal
ties that obtain at this time land also
providing for the re-enactment OF tne
'.ouster" law, which seeks to force
officers to do their duty.
The local option prohibition bill,
which passed the Senate Saturday Is
= measure which seeks to give to each
community the right of allowing ship
ments within their borders.
The voters have the right when %
per cent. of those entitled to vote
shall ask that an election be held. II
the majority of the voters declare
that they: are, opposed to having any
whiskey shipped in to them, then the
law will be enforced and there VIII
be no shipments. In case there DC
those who dare to risk the penalty
of the law and who get liquor, the
opportunity for jail terms and heavy
fines stare them right in the face.
And the common carriers or PERSON
bringing" in such liquor will share the
same fate as the person VINO shai
have it.in his possession.
It remains to be seen If the House
will grant an extension of time t'
; the concerns engaged in the Liquor
business to close out after OCTOBER
, 31st. They have tried to get ten day:
, or less, but the statement has otter
been made that they have had more
than two years in which to get read!
, for the end, and they are still clam
oring for more time.