The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-02-13
GERMANY'S PLAN
MAY BE CORRECT
BLUE CAN NOT
SUCCEED SELF
And He is Not, Therefore, An
Issue in the Present Cam
paign in This State.
ts,rerAL TO I.r 1,tres.1


CHARLESTON. Feb. 12.-Reports
received here are to the effect that in
efforts to garner votes by any means
whatsoever, Attorney General "a.
Lilly is baking promises to suit any
occasion which might arise. Almost
sensational in this respect are the re-
ports from those sections OF the state
where there is a sentiment against the
enforcement Of the strict prohibition
laws, or rather where certain indi-
viduals are against enforcement OF
such laws.
In several instances antl.prohibi-
tionists have been found who have de-
clared themselves for Lilly. because.
as they say. be is willing ito give them
another chance at the wet and dry
fight" Just how Lilly expects to "give
them another chance" has not been
stated. Lilly knows full we'll, and
those against prohibition should know.
that even II elected governor Lilly
could not make or unmake prohibition
laws. The prohibition amendment to
the constitution was adopted in 1912
by majority OF more than 10000
votes. Pursuant to that amendment
the Legislature adopted the present
stringent prohibition laws.
Before saloons could again come into
the state the legislature would have
to submit another amendment to the
constitution and that would have to
be ratified by vote of the people. The
legislature would then enact laws gov
erning the matter. II elected governor
Lilly would be powerless to have such
amendment submitted and could not
force the people to ratify the same.
Neither could he compel the legisla-
ture to pass any laws pursuant to such
amendment.
Another scheme OF the Lilly adher-
ents is to spread the rumor, absolutely
false, that Tax Commissioner Fred o.
Blue, who has charge Of the enforce
ment of the prohibition laws, is rela-
tive Of Judge Ira e. Robinson and that
If elected, Robinson will reappoint
Blue. This story is given by the Lilly
followers to those persons who oppose
the manner in which Commissioner
Blue is enforcing the prohibition law.
AS a matter OF fact Mr.. Blue is not a
relative OF Judge Robinson and so far
as Mr.. Blues reappointment is con-
cerned, the tax commissioner is not
eligible under the law to succeed him
self.
Section /. chapter %, of the code,
says:
"The governor, by and with the ad-
vice and consent OF the senate, shall
appoint as state tax commissioner
some citizen Of this state entitled to
vote, whose term of office shall begin
at the date Of appointment, and shall
continue for six years and until the
successor Of such commissioner is ap-
pointed and qualified. unless he be
sooner removed. but who shall not be
eligible for reappointment."
Mr.. Blues term expires prior to
that of Governor Hatfield and the
present governor will have the apA
pointment Of his successor. Mr. Blue
is not an issue in the campaign.
From the above it will be seen that
neither Lilly nor any other person who
might be elected governor can give
them another chance" so far as pro-
hibition is concerned.
Should Lilly be elected governor he
would take an oath to see that the
laws are faithfully executed. He
would not have the power TO make or
break laws. To be of service to those
who oppose prohibition he would have
TO violate the oath he would take. But
even then he could do but little II any
thing because the enforcement Of the
prohibition law is in the hands Of the
tax commissioner over whom the gov
ernor has no control.
7 The Lilly adherents are apparently
appealing to every prejudice.-good,
bad or Indifferent, in vain effort to
gain support.