The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-02-01

full investigation and study Of all the
prohibition laws OF the various dry
States, nor without authentic infcr-
nation concerning their efficiency.
There were various reasons which
seemed TO the committee not only
weighty, but conclusive In favor Of
the erection Of this special depart
mcnt, as asainst vesting al these new
and perpIexing responsibilities Ii the
guDernatorfal office. The writer OF
this report was member Of tho COM
mittee, and was influenced Ia his own
favorable Judgment W the fact that
the measure proposal was IN strict
consonance with the general policy
Of the league to disentangle In every
possible way this issue from all other
political, affairs. Tho measure pro-
vides for this. II Il becomes the law,
we do not have to choose our Gov
ernor or other officers with any con-
trolling reference TO his real or lack
OF II. or to his alleged zeal or alleged
lack Of II, The proposed commits
lslener ID elected for this business. II
ne falls in It. the responsibility for
the failure ID laid Immediately at his
door Except In the, mere matter Of
his election by the Legislature. the
whole question is taken out Of the
Eordinary public life of the state WITH
out such q special department. There
Is not the least doubt that this ques-
ton would enter largely into every
contest and would also get inextri-
cabiy mixed with other departments
OF our public life. Moreover. 1t was
! believed that the first years Of this
| law would be in some respects the
most important: that II Its enforce
ment could be- thorough and palpabie,
! the policy would be accredttable to
the confidence of the whole citizen
ship; that its enforcement would. OF
course, be difficult. particularly In
some communities and that tho super
attendance OF this law would easily
fill the hands and tax the strength
and challenge the real of the most
capable. competent and zeaious man
that we can find.
The Enabling Act mads distinct
provision for the sale OF alcohol and
its products for mechanical. medicinal
| and pharmaceutical purposes. To
keep faith with this the proposed leg
isIation must OF course, make pro-
vision for such sale. The COMMITTEES
was fully aware Of the evils which
had In other dry States often Followed
place where such disposition OF Al
cohol may be made, and were further
aware Of the fact that druggists theln-
selves. or at any rate. their leading
land most influential representatives.
were opposed to having this matter
committed to them. Yet. after fullest
I consideration, the committee came to
the conclusion that 1t was bet to al
low such sale In drug atores, but to
surround It with such stringent and
drastic restrictions az would reduce
1.-The menace TO q minimum.
OF course, In many instances where
prohibition laws have been flAgrantiy
| disregarded the fault hns been due to
the fact that the officers whose duty
Itt was to enforce the law were not
In sympathy with 4. Ths report res
icon1mends tho passage of = .Oustsr
Law" making provision Tor the re-
| movai from office ~ Iii OFFICIALS con-
nected with the administration Or the
law. who fail, neglect OF refuse to
perform the duties Of their office n
1 specified tn the prohibition iaw.
The report also recomynends most
stringent law TO prevent this estAb-
tshment Of clubs, Or the u.s. of 81
ltabiished clubs for the ppxpose Of