The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-05-09
Washington Newspapers Make
Interesting Editorial Com
ment on Rejection of Gen
eral Smith as District Excise
Commissioner.

and malt drinks. But, despite these
complaints. the chances are that the
bill. when reported out will carry
big increases for both whiskey and
beer.
In deciding to increase the tax OF
liquors Of various kinds the ways
and means committee doubtless has
taken Into consideration the fact that
prohibition n cutting into the con-
OF wet goods to such an
extent as materially to reduce II, and,
II lfqours are to bring In the amount
Of money which it In thought they
should bring in. the tax will have 10
be considerably increased
the interesting part about this
proposed increase 10 the fact that
those responsible for 1t do not seem
to be conscience-smitten in the least.
as result. This simply bears out
the theory that everyone recognizes,
whether he admits II publicly or not.
that hooze is an outlaMrand- that Il
should be made to stand for any kind
of tax or regulation which may be
considered necessary under the cir
cumstances
Likewise the liquor fellows them
selves, while making a howl about
the injustice OF further taxing their
product are secretly willing to pay
this increase. knowing that too much
or an objection might result In the
creation of legislative sentiment
looking to the entire eradication OF
the evil. This condition OF affairs &C.
counts for the easy money which is
always supposed to be available al
the hands OF the liquor forces. En-.
gagged in an enterprise which has leg,
islattve sanction only, and this n
spots. and which no one sincerely tries
any more to defend on moral grounds
the liquor forces will willingly stand
for anything In the way OF taxes and
regulation in order to retain the
privilege OF operating.
This has been proven in those
States in which the county unit sen.
timent has grown to such an extent
as to threaten prohibition nex. Fear
ing the latter, the wet candidates for
office from Governor down quickI,
become the most ardent or cunt,
unit supporters, realizing that a-pte,
tended support for such law will
possibly give their wet supporters 9
slightly longer lease on the privilege
OF making and selling liquors.
Newspapers of Washington, dis
.1nssing the rejection by the Senat.
Sc the nomination of Gen Robert q
Smith to succeed himself as Fxcis,
Commissioner for the District of Go
lumbia, have commended in tneil
news columns in part as follows:
The Washington Herald:
III General Smiths friends fail il
their s'toposed efforts to have the vot.
reconsidered. yesterdays action viii
make the final chapter OF 1t bite
fight which the District Anti Saloor
League mas waged on General Smith
for more thar a year
The fight began about a year ago
Wheu the league succeeded in hivin.
General Smith and his two <rllea que
on the board, Henry 8. Baker anc
Cotter T. Bride. summoned before q
Senate investigating commAttee &c
answer charges OF having failed I,
enforce the new excise law.
Charges Renewed.
When, in spite OF the Senate in.
vestigation. President Wilson show
ed his confidence in General Hmitl
by renominating him for anothe
term. the Anti-Saloon League renewet
its charges, and made the com
mittee meeting at which Genera
Smiths name was considered Amos
as sensational az the investigation
year ago. At these committee meet
ings held several months ago. min
listers in their testimony even ques
toned the sincerity Of the Preaiden
in rsnominatinE General Smith"
The Washington star says in part
pointed by the President Decembe
last to be a member Of the ;stric
Excise BOARD. was rejected ny tn,
Senate yesterday. The vote Was ..
TO Is cast along non ra rtisan lines
Senators from prohibition States re-
gardless Of party affiliation, voted te
reject.
The reasons for the opposition I,
this appointee are wall known to thu
people OF Warrington. The princi
pal speeches in executive session yes
terday against him were made b,
Senators Sheppard. Works and Jones
These Senators reviewed the investi
cation that was conducted by a Sen
ate specia! committee a year ago. ant
the hearings recently held In con
nsotion with the reappointment
They charged that az 4 member Of til
board General Smith had violated thu
spirit. II not the letter. OF the Jones,
Works excise law, and that where
there wac any room for doubt tn.
saIoonkecper was given the benefit.
'"rhe nomination was defended Il,
Senator's MARITIME and Hughes Of
New Jersey, from which State Gen.
eral Smith was appointed. and by Sen.
ators Salisbury, Phelan and James
Democratic mem bern OF the Distric
committee These senators claimed
that in the administration OF the ex.
else law General Smith has been gu.d.
cd by plain, practical. common Sense
methods. and they denied that he had
ever violated even technically any oil
its provisions They recited his ca.
reer a. a citizen and a soldier and
asserted that he was The victim OF &
crusade. the opposition to him being
worked up by tho Anu-Saloon
No Fear Of Reversal.
Ten senator's. who were present
but paired. did not vote. Among thu
AbDenteAa yesterday were two sena.
tors who would have voted to con.
firm had they been present. An ef.
fort will be made to reconsider thu
ayots of. rstection. hut thta X attempt,
"a. under the rules must be done
within two days- !. The opponsnts 81
General Smith said iaat night thsy