Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-01-26
Sees DANGER IN PLAN FOR
MORALS COMMISSIONER
Senator Strobe Points to Possible
ties OF Future Political
Abuses.
WANTS GOVERNOR IN CHARGE
Expresses High Regard for Rank and
File OF Anti-SaIoon League, but
Dcprecates Political Activities of
Some of It's Leaders.


dangerous political possibilities of
All actiHe police organization operating
| IN every section of the State, under the
ieadershiD or Il Morals Commissioner.
says Senator Aubrey r. Strobe. faith
er OF the original enabling act and CO.
pa'roh with Senator Addison Of this
sessions first prohibition bill. out
~eiSh every objection that may be
urged against leaving the enforcement
OIL the prohibition laws TO the Cover
nor"
In an authorized interview last night.
senator Strobe dwells pcrtincnty on
me commissionerShip feature of the
report formulated by the Legislative
committee of the Anti-Saloon League
Il document which Is expected to play
a prominent part in the shaping Of
the new dry laws.
VA Morals COMMISSIONER said Scna-
tor STROBE, would be tempted to en-
gage in political activities. AN appre-
hension that IL not lcssened by AN OBJ
servaton OF the factional political ac-
fivities OF some officers OF the Anti
saloon League. who have. at the pres
cnt session Of The Legislature. appar-
emily sought to use, and have used
their ottcnsible authority TO speak for
the Anti-Saloon League in the organi-
zation OF the Senate committees. i'm
Guiding some committees that do not
deal with temperance legislation.
EXPRESSES REGARD FOR
ANTI-SALOOS LEAGUE MEMBERS
While am not member of the
| NhIi-Saioon League. and am not In
| It's councils. have very high regard
Tor the rank and nle of that organi-
%ation and FOR many OF It's leaders.
! Win most OF Its purposes. I am large
~ IN accord. but must dcprecatc some
! OF the activities which arc engaged in
Under It's name. II is in my opinion
"a vain hope to believe that politics.
VIII hc eliminated. either in the aelcr-
a mi gi on I'M ,fr,r.
the law by creating Il Morals Commits
sioner.
Il regret that there is any difference
oi opinion among men who desire to
attain the same end. Rut the Witt
mate responsibility for the lcgislation
that is TO be enacted lies with the
membership Of tho General Assembly;
ana, while they should hear with re-
spcct and weigh with due regard The
fccominc rda tons Of any body OF ctti-
zcns. II the Judgment Of the individual
legislator In III" light OF his alIcri-
ance to his constituency. does not coin
cide with such recommended ons. he
can do nothing less than urge those
Views which appear TO him best
For my part, am disposed TO shirl
no responsibility icy shifting II to
other shoulders Having reached the
conclusion that the best method Of law
enforcement for tho prohibition stat
utes lies in the strengthening of the
hands Of the Governor. shall advo-
! cate that course. in the hope that we
may have full and fair discussion OF
both propositions on their respective
merits. with On acquicsccncc in tho
method decided upon by all those de-
s'rous OF seeing the prohibition policy
efec,unily enforced with crcdi, TO
! Virginia"
GREATEST STRAIN WILL
COME WITH REACTION
senator STROBE thinks the great
| strain in the enforcement OF the pro-
| hibition law il not likely to come
within Governor Stuart's administers
| ton. hut will probably follow some
reaction in sentiment later on II is
gratifying. how"vo-. 10 note he saws
that tho high officials Of the Anti Sa-
loon League ccrti:y TO their confidence
In Governor Stuarts earnest desire to
enforce the Law. expressions which
prompt the inquiry: Why should that
enforcement. then. he put in other
| hands AZ this time" Whether we
have Morals Commissioner or not"
lie said. tho enforcement of the pro-
hibition law will be AN issue in the
NEXT Eubcrnatorial campaign"
senator STROBE explained that tho
STROBE Addison bill. introduced sew
cral days ago. is only tentative and
suggestive intended only TO furnish a
y basis OF discussion II Incorporates
ne sa'n. tc" OF III" fundamentals of
the hnai statute. As 10 the drug
store provision. which has been criti
cizch In some quarters. hn said he is
open IN SugGcS;iorI
statewide enforcement Of :, law"
said Senator strobe lis yn,petbin- ,,.v
III Virginia. And. In this nar,icu1,r
case. IT - reasonable To assume th.t
therc VIII be some communities in rho
o.a'e host'!e to IN" changed conditions
of affairs. requiring u strong hand
Tor the enforcement OF tho law Local
Commemorative attorneys may for
obvious reasons. he disinclincd TO
prosecute. and there are grounds to
rear laxness all along the line
NEED or CENTRAL
AUTHORITY Is OBVIOUS
we are all agreed, then. believe
that some central authority must he
vested with the mower of enforcing
the Laws where p&'lc sentiment does
not support it. Aside from other con
siderations. the idea OF a Morals, Com
missioner does not appeal to me. We
Nirginians do not like the insinuat ton
that We Will not abide by tho statutory
law of the State, and need q special
State officer to regulate our morals
believe there will he less irritation
and less friction il the Governor, who.
under the Constitution. is the chief
executive officer of the state. especially
charged with seeing that it's laws are
properly executed. comes in with all
necessary power TO enforce the law.
That would obviate the necessity of a
separate department
me statutes IN 1OrCe IN
West Virginia are being cited rs prob
| ably the best model for Virginia legis-
1ation. and are being followed. to a
large extent. in the tentative draft OF
\ our prohibition measures Under the
| statute Of the state. there was created
no new officer. but the State Tax Com
missioner was given the added duty Of
seeing to the laws enforcement"
Political developments around the
Capitol point 10 sharp break within
the ranks OF the dry men OF the
General Assembly over the proper
method OF enforcing the prohibition
laws the Anti Saloon League and it's
legislative leaders standing out for
the creation OF new state officer, 10
be known the Morals Commits
sioncr.' who will be charged with the
duty Of enforcing the laws relating to
social and moral welfare. and the
other faction. with Senator'S Strobe ana