Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-03-20
ENFORCEMENT THE BEST TEST
Norfolk Tirginian-Pilot)


Now that the General Assembly has
enacted and the Governor has given
approval to Prohibition laws shaped
in form and terms to meet the de-
mandS of the Anti-Saloon League, it
is to be hoped that the issue may be
regarded as settled and that political
agitation will be superseded by activ-
ity in enforcement Of the statutes so
made and provided Our chief con-
Germ when the Legislature convened
was lest the League program might
be amended to an extent justifying
the leaders in proclaiming that the
measures as paescd had bsen so mutt
lated by the opponents OF Prohlbl-
ton as to deprive them of efficacy,
thus paving the way for another cam
paign and furnishing pretext, if
not a rcasonsfer: applying To all can
didatcs for public Office tests other
than those, of personal worth and fit
ness and partly allegiance. But all
ground for such apprehension seems
to have been removed. Not. only
were the various bills relating to IL
quor framed exactly according to
the demands submitted by the League
officials, no alterations having been
made unless on the suggestion or with
the approval of their patrons, but
the machinery for their enforcement
was provided just as they devised it,
and for it's operation special bu-
reau was created for administration
of which the officer appointed was
designated by the champions Of Pro.
hibition. If anything that might have
been granted to DR.. Cannon and his
co-laborers was not given by the
Legislature, it was only because not
asked for. If anything is contained
in any of the various enactments
which conflict with their professco
purpose or initiates against virtual
extinction of the lit:dor traffic in Viz
ginia, it is because such provision wa:
put there by those who proclaimed
from the outset that none other:
could be trusted to draw and execute
the laws in that behalf. They have
had their way. The new chapter il
the Code will be theirs to the yer!
dotting of its Is and crossing Of it!
Us. Both architects and builders
they surely can not find fault will
their handiwcrk or wish to disavoV
full responsibility for its every fca
turc.
Now, therefore. 10: vherc be an cnt
to contention over this long veXc'
/ subject. Prohibition goes into eitec
under conditions prescribed by 1t
friends and under the auspices OF on
/ Of the foremost apoxtlcs of the cause
The matter has passed beyond tn
domain of discussion into that of cs
tablished fact and it is the duty o
all good citizens to respect and ohc
the law and to use :neir influence
prevention or for proper punishment
Of its infraction by others. A tai
trial of the remedial merits OF tn
;. news system is the rightful due Q
that majority of the people of WI
ginia which ordered its adoption.
under the strain of practice the thcor
Of Prohibition shall answer the ca
pcctation of its proponents, grca
blot upon modern civilization WI
have been removed; if not, then thos
proponents must be prepared to az
nit their liability TO error and see
somcI9 other solution: Of the, most aha
s fling problem with which. huHahlt
is confronted. i,
\ 80
Il Oysters in All Stylss AT The han
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