Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-11-01
ADVISES ALL OFFICERS
TO USE GREAT CAUTION
Prohibition commissioner Peters
Says Conditions Sin,ul1 Not Sc
Unnecessarily Ss&ssA.
WHY oNs QuARr IS A%,owID
Nays Wis RafaItnpnt Mill Act ut
Solicitation af Local Authorities.
tsd Only in l'lagrant Instances
Over Their Heads.

Prohibition Commissioners J. Sidney
.'o'er" yesterday issued the following
statement Of the position taken by his
department in regard to the enforce
mcnt of the new liquor law:
believe that all OF the people of
Virginia now realize tina; there will
become effective Il change in certain
conditions throughout tho Common
wealth exceedingly revolutionary: that,
notwithstanding the long anticipation
OF lhi* ch;tnEc. the changed conditions
VIII nevertheless come with a sudden
ness that will be felt kccnly This
VIII im"i% = change in laws and ucccs-
SKATE I, change in feeling. For i'm
stance. the Legislature did not con-
template that women engaged In the
profession of pharmacy should bc adj
verSely affected in business by the pro-
hlbi'on uct when it provided the
Qualified voter" clause in this con-
ncciion. And yet in three distinct in
*.on"cs women pharmacists have suf-
fercd under this provision OF the law.
Confectioners have also been cmbar-
raised by the statute.
And yet it should be remembered
that. while handicaps and hardships
must necessarily follow the passage OF
sew cnactments, there are other laws
than the prohibition law which have
caused hardships TO others altogether
unlocked for. This Is true In thu, lnws
creating the State Fish aud Game De-
partment. This is no less true of the
new system OF taxation in Virginia
When such hardshipS are brought
about the officers OF the law should
exercise great caution not to be un-
necessarily severe, while at the Same
time doing no violence to the laws
themselves
IS NOT EMOTIONAL
The enactment Of prohibition in vir-
:-inia is prcdicatcd upon scientific data
and research and is, in it's principle
upheld by practically all of tho think
ing classes in both Europe and Amer
lea. The basis for the reform is not
emotional. The reform is a scientific
endcavor and progressive step toward
improved social and moral conditions.
The people Of Virginia, with character
istic conservatism, approached the
matter of prohibition. in its present
form. very carefully. They were not
prccipi;:ue but moved slowly. Local
option was enforced by the Mann law.
Offering protection in the rural dis
trlcty This was followed by the Byrd
law. most wise enactment. which re-
moved alcohol from districts where
police protection was limited. Then
came the prohibition act Itself
served, provides certain exceptions. as
IN the ease of alcohol required for
pharmaceutical and medical use The
accomm odation OF the law to these
necessary uses OF alcohol has Appealed
10 the people by virtue Of its reason
ablcness and has renathencd prohibit
lion in the hearts and minds Of the
public.
As further concession TO the con-
icrvatism Of Virginia and TO that policy
Of SlowncsS to change so charactcris-
tIr Of it's people, the prohibition act
permits u small allowance OF alcoholic
beverages TO be imported into the state,
with many safeguards thrown around
such privilege. This concession of the
quart. i, should bc pointed out, was Il
part OF :, tactical movement, growing
out uf :, pending decision from the
United States Supreme Court OF APP
peala. as to the right OF Il Common
wealth absolutely to exclude ali com
merce in liquors. The appellate court
haas ruled that at State. under ;;a pres
ems powers. has IN undoubted right to
restrict such traffic In liquors. Md
when the supreme Court OF Appeals has
ruled with regard To the former uueS-
lion. the shipping pri:ilegei for liquor
dealers may be Withdrawn in the near
future from Virginia The present
privileges in this regard rest upon ;he
pending dcc!sion from The Supreme
Court.