The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-03-05

gates The chsnking OF comparatively
few votes would have put in the
House thirfy-eight more wet members
than there are.
Wanted q ESQ Man.
Supporting that portion OF hs
amendment which would increase the
salary OF the commissioner to $4,000
a year. Mr. Reed said that the Com
missioner must be man who was
worth to the State in the enforcement
OF the law eil that $1,000 could get.
He said he must be n man or wide
experiences and OF large executive
ability.
I'VE want the best man we can get"
he said. and $1,000 will be none too
much to pay him We might name,
with a salary OF this size, the man
who made this contamination possible.
the man who engineered the move
ment that led up to prohibition
And. whether Intentionally or not. "a
he spoke, his index finger. on out
stretched arm, swung in the direction
of the corner OF the hall of the House
in which DR.. Cannon occupied seat.
Many OF those in the House and in the
gallery, which was packed through
out the day. followed the gesture.
opS0kcI I1OuBLOI ildu iClAIl4ulSliON
thJ chair temporarily to Colonel
Leedy, while Mr.. Reed was speaking.
Mr.. Gordon was next recognized. He
spoke for an hour and half. His
theme. as he announced It, II shall
speak on all the amendments at one
time and the bill. but particularly on
the amendment to make the Attorney
General the commissioner"
Mr. Gordon said that he was glad
that Senator Mapp. patron of the
bill, was present on the floor, and
that DR.. Cannon also was present. He
spoke OF kind feelings for both of
them and said that while he does not
know DR.. Cannon as well AS he does
Senator Mapp. what I know of him
is favorable"
IT do not intend to offend any one"
said Mr.. Gordon. THE bill has some
defects and some very strong points.
II is we'll drawn, but I believe 1t
would have been better had my friend
Senator Mapp) been here at the be-
ginning OF the session, and not been
afflicted with sickness, which we all
regret.
Is Commissioner Necessary?
~ ask, is the commissioner neces-
sary? Is It not a reflection upon the
great Governor of your State Is he
not charged under the Constitution
OF Virginia with the enforcement
OF the law? II It is not his sworn
duty in the sight OF God and man to
enforce this law is there any reason
to doubt that he will enforce this
law?
III there is a lingering doubt that
Henry Carter Stuart will not enforce
this law because he exercised his right
a g an American citizen to vote as he
saw fit on this question. do not his
actions dissipate this7 He broke up
the race-track gambling. He has
taken a hand in tho enforcement OF
law elsewhere. Be It said OF Henry
Carter Stuart that he is g. law-enforc-
ing Governor"
Mr.. Gordon said II is the desirs
of the trainers OF the bill to keep this
question out of politics. He said Sem
ator Mapp had told the committee he
wanted 1t kept out of politics and
that he believed that the way to keep
1t out of politics would be for the
Legislature to appoint the commits
sioner. EFF / could share that feel
ing" said Mr.. Gordon. nothing would
give your humble servant more pleas
ure than to support II. Wasn't It in
politics when It produced a majority
OF 10000 in favor of prohibition?
have heard, and T trust II is not true,
that n number OF our members and
senators, before their election by the
people. were asked as to whether
they would support any act that the
AntiSaloon League might present
las a political phase. l want to ask
how is 1t possible for a representative
TO discharge his duty--and this is
representative governmental he Is
pledged beforehand to adopt the views
OF any man or set OF men? Can you
come to the General Assembly. take
the solemn oath administered at the
desk, and keep promises to both your