The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-02-03

| half Of one per cent OF alcohol
Much Of the trouble the league has
encountered In law enforcement has
been due to cider.
Man will violate the law" said DIR.
Cannon. because of two thfngs--cov-
etouant rs and appetite. We want to
catch the man who IL covetous, who
violates the law for profit. We want
to punish him so severely that he
will decide that 1t doesn't pay to
| break the law" and he pointed to
! the heavy penalties IL provides. IF
you must change these provisions"
DR.. Cannon said, you must take the
| responsibility for changing them, the
league believes that heavy penalties
are needed.
AS to druggists, DIR. Cannon explain
ed those provisions, and spoke on the
afiidavits and prescriptions required,
and she restrictions placed upon them.
He said that he personally saw no
need for sale by druggists, that he
had never used II in his family and
believed IL unnecessary. But in the
Enabling Act II was provided that
ardent spirits should be furnished for
medicinal purposes, and the bill COM
piled with that provision. He called
attention to the fact that no druggist
is required to sell ardent spirits. He
did not want the drug store provision.
the responsibility was upon them to
strike 1t out; II they left II in and
add further safeguards the league will
welcome them.
Answers Critics.
DR. Cannon next answered critics of
the Anti-Saloon League and of those
who demand the enactment of most
drastic laws for the enforcement of
prohibition. He read a communication
parts of which were very amusing in
the accusations that the Anti-Saloon
League wanted to keep the question in
politics, and did not at this time re-
cuire absolute prohibition, because he,
DR.. Cannon. wanted to be elected
Governor
DR. Cannon called attention to the
fact that the strongest opponents or
the prohibition law now cIamored
most loudly that the State should be
made as dry as Gideon's unwetted
fleece. that the law should be made
as drastic as possible. He said that
he had learned TO get upon the fence
when the enemy got on his side. and
take a good look around. and when
ever he found the liquor people adj
vocating men or measures he usually
got as far from them as possible.
Tho Anti-Saloon League desires to
interpret the will of the people on this
question. He had personally talked
with men in every section of the State
TO find out what. they expected. He
found that many men voted dry to
close the saloons, prevent social drink
ing and sale of liquor to boys. but
they expected to obtain small guam
titles of liquor for family use. The
bill allows one quart of diluted spirits,
g. VfSvn ~
OF beer. Not all three, but either one
of the three. This is believed to be
enough for the use OF family. for
really the family could not get on
without any, and be better off. He
told the committee that IL 1t thought
there should be absolute prohibition.
that the quart should be cut out, they
had the power to take such action.
Personally. he thought people could
get along without the quart. but 1t was
doubtful whether the time had yet ar"
rived FOR that action.
AN Educational Process.
Prohibition is an educational pro-
cess, he said. The people have to be-
come aGeustorned TO 1t by degrees, and
he pointed 70 the record of the Anti
| Saloon League in the+isst fifteen years
! "A record In which eooh step has been
| one in advance; never has backward
step been taken. To cut out the quart
now might result in backward STEP
After the people find they can do with
out liquor, after they have been edu-
Gated to total abstinence, then 1t can
be cut out. Then there will not be the
danger of backwar step. DR.. Can
| non said that tho committee might on
| the other hand thing quart not
enough for family, and declared that
If they increased the quantity 1t must
be upon their own responsibility. the
| Anti Saloon League could not accept
such an amendment and has given q
| bill that It believes represents the will
| of the people
l. The enforcement of the law" DR.
Cannon declared. speaking of the com.
missioner, Cannot be entrusted TO To-
cal officials alone, but must be by Of
ficers of the state" He said that en-
forcement of prohibition laws In West
| Virginia was so successful. because OF
the commissioners.
Or Cannon then discussed the ques-
ton of the commissioner and asked
! why the Governor shou'S be burdened
with the enforc ement OF this one law
The Governor has power by the con-
stitution to see that the one named to
enforce the law attends to his duties.
! He spoke of other commissioners In
| the state and the sweeping powers
| they possessed for the endorsements
of the law, and ne an illustration mem
toned the commissioner OF health
Provision for a commissioner to en-
| force prohibition laws, DIR. Cannon said.
| does not reflect in any way on the
Governor.
Offers Amendment.
At this point DR.. Cannon offered the
amendment and mace the statement
given above.
Discussing the question as to the
method of selection, Dr. Cannon SAID
the commissioner should be elected, by
the General Assembly. which Ia close
to the people IL represents. Here he
read the list of commissioners now
serving the Stale in various capaci-
ties, showing INV they are selected.
The Attorney General the Secretary
of the Commonwealth. Commissioners
of Agriculture. Treasurer and Super
intendent OF Pubic instruction are all
elected by tee people. the Auditor.
Second Auditor, Registrar of Land
Office, Superintendent of Public Print
ing and COMMISSIONER OF Insurance
are all elected By the General Assem- :
bly,; Dairy and Pure Food Commits
sioner. Commissioner of Labor. Mem
bsrs of state Corporation Commission,
Board of Fisheries, Board OF Public In
struction are appointed by the Gov
ernor.
Nj