Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-02-02

| law for tho enforcement OF prohibition:
that l stated that tho task Of enforce
! mont would necessarily DO ono of great
labor and responsibility, and that from,
a purely selfish standpoint I might VOL
wish that the responsibility. along with
the duty, could DO placed ON other
shoulders than nay own
Tho bill rs presented by Senator Mapp
and his cO-patrons. however, creates 81
commissioner designated rs state COM
| missioner of moral welfare providos
that he shall be elected by tho General
Assembly. and gives him independent
executive powers greater than those
now vested in the Governor for tho
purposes OF enforcement of the law. and
yet provides In express terms that the
Governor shall not he relieved OF the
dntics imposed upon him by the Con-
iS'l'ution and the statutes TO SEQ that
inc law" arc faithfully enforced The
ii'"aSU'c thus emphasizes the Cover
h"rs constitutional responsibility to
see that the laws arc enforced, and Mt
'h' same tmc places beyond his con-
'"i inc funds arising from appropri-
h'i'hs FOR enforcement. nnd withholds
rom MIN authority over those charged
with enforcement.
10" can the chief executive perform
INC duties required Of hin, by the Con-
stitution when the means of perforu-
ai'cc arc TO be placed i'm the hands OF
another over whom tho Governor Will
nave not even the authority he now has
over all other executive officials at the
seat or government, whether elected by
'he General Assembly or by the pcople.
win the single exception Of the Lieu
tcnant-Governor?
This proposed new department will
pc 50 far as l know. tn. only depart
i"ent OF the Sta,. government insti-
tuted solely for tho pu-posc of seeing
That the laws arc faithfully enforced
q duty specifically laid BY the Cons,i-
luton upon the Governor. While II is
rue that other depart lents OF Tho
government have such functions tbov
are only Incidental TO other duties ana
ar" performed by o.. through orcial.
either appointed by the Governor or
accountable in some way TO him.
me enforcement Of the prohibition
Z '"" presents peculiar difficulties. and
therefore, stands In greater need n.
having behind II the power and nros
HSe o. INC chief executive officer or
'hc Htate. According TO my view. there
ioFe' so iaT from divorcing tho ins,ru
'''''s Oh enforcement from tho INN
ny" OF INC Governors Office there ,c
90" "u"cd reason why most vital con
'''''o'S should be established betwec,
INC states chief executive and 49,,
"st"cF charged with the enforcement.
% prohibition laws. stand readv IN
operate with all friends OF nrobi-
nition tn carrying out 10 rho <,no,,
'Htch' me VIII of the peoplc as o,
PRESSED ut tho polls, but ] cannot th,n,s
i""t even tho most earnest prohibitton-
'st would upon reflection. either desire
or expect me 10 give my approv,, ~
At measure which. while vainlv declar
ing on It's face TO the contrary. We, !,
'"tl lhrades tho prerogatives of tho
'n'"' executive and weakens tho vcrv
law which. above all others. cxncrie,ca
mas shown needs behind IL ALI Of M,
power Of tho State.
am IN full accord with the nu,noeo.
OF the bill, and would not favor ory
changes which would weaken II in ,,y
particular. There are certain cb,rcos
however, which occur 10 me as d.s,-,
bic In the interest OF law enforcer.n.
Nht, aS these relate TO details rothor
IMAM TO principles. | feel sure ,ba, ,bo,
can he rcconcled with the views NJ
INC patrons OF tho measure, but who,
II comes 70 an infringement. howev.,
nhintentional. upon the spirit OF Tho
constitution. I feel that should ot..-
the resistance which my sense OF du,v
requires.
Remembering your frequent manifos-
'"uons OF friendship. Of which I au,
deeply apprcciative, and KNOWING ,b,,
you were but recently prcsiden, of rho
-Ahu-Sa!oon League. which sufficiently
Nouches your devotion TO the cauee ~
temperance / have written Won froo,,.
'Aough not fully. in opposition IN e,
feature N the pending bill which c.n
DC justified only upon the theory ina,
the confidence which has ALWAYS ho.n
so generously extended by the neonlo
oil virginia TO their chief executive
must be withheld in the enforcement,
@: TINS particular law. which apreaIs so
strongly to the patriotic sense Of du,v
oil All public servants
Very truly yours.
tSirncd) HENRY G. ST1-Apr