The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-02-18

0uutAsS1AUM O0G0 IN pO0BSS4lOA Oh tueScs
General Joffro would command the
plain TO the eastward, force the evac-
but there u no reason for commits
sioner At this time and IN the need for
one should appear later the Legislature
could provide for such an officer. 1t,
II declared that the commissioner Will
have only ten or twelve appointees,
and that he will not erect an political
machine. II that were all. repeat.
II that were ali when you appoint
commissioner OF prohibition allied to
the most powerful political organisation
In the State ron have gone far toward
the erection Of 4 political machine. No
man In virgfnla respects the Anti-Sa-
loon League more than J. 1t did mag
nihcsnt work In leading and organic
ing the prohibition forces Of Virginia.
monumen but was elected to the
Senate ~ Democrat. was not elect
cd ~ . Prehibitionist, and was not
elected to be the tail of any mans
kite. ! make bold to say that the
management of the league has al
ready put fts hand on the machinery
Of the General Assembly and has asked
for rights ana claims that II has the
right to be consulted in the' formation
Of the steering committee Of the SEN
ate. I would like TO know whether
the names Of Senators were carried to
some other forum than That of the
Democratic party. would like to
know whether any other party or or
ganixatior had any way In the organ
isation OF the Finance COMMITTEES or
the Committee OF Privileges and Eiec-
ions. Oh. II will be said that these
committees had TO DO with prohibition
legislation and therefore II was neces-
sary that committees Of the Assembly
be chosen by another forum. l say
suggestions were made and names were
carried. DO not say who carried
those names.
A. . Supreme Court Judge.
Furthermore, In the election OF a
Supreme Court Judge the same innu-
ence that had been instrumental in the
formation OF committees had been po-
tent in the selection Of Supreme
court 1udgs. why should the question
of prohibition be put before the ability
and the probity Of the judge7 This Is
ono Of the things that xish tn warn
my fellow Senators against Let us
not go too far and provide for any
further connection between governs
mental policy and this already too
powerful organisation handling the
matter Of prohibition. The man who
conscientiously voted for whiskey is
entitled to credit for his honest con-
vfctions. deplors the coming of the
day when the test OF Democracy In to
bo whether man voted for or against
prohibition.
MY esteemed friend from the coun-
ty OF Rockingham has told us about
the conditions In West Virginia. VIII
the committee go as far NJ West vir-
~ d., kkr~
Queries Are Made.
At this point Senator Conrad asked
II the Senator from Lynchburg knew
that the West Virginia law was at
present in the Supreme Court for in
depreciation.
Senator aooirick asked what differ
erce OF legal construction WAS involved
between the shipment OF one quart
and no shipment, to which Senator
Conrad replied that there WAS the
difference between restriction and alb
solute prohibition. and that that was
the very Issue to be passed upon by
the Supreme Court.
Senator Addison. resuming. said: II
would like to be abba to work side by
side with the Senator from Acconac,
but / see the menace before US, not
an idle imagining. but an actual fact,
which the Senator knows to be true
today. This organisation Ii already
powerful enough. would especially
impress upon the Democratic party
in this state that woe will be the day
when we make feaity to prohibition
u test OF Democratic loyalty
Senator West speaks.
Senator West. OF Nansernond. made
. forcible statement In support Of the
cOmmlttee report He aajd. II do