Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-06-19
COURTS WILL CONsTRUE
LAW, Says DR.. MCDANIEL
Declares Cars VIII Run, but Sale OF
Tobacco and Soft Drinks
Is to Cease.
RAP AT OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Sudden Effort to Enforce Ancient
Statutes Was Trick of Theirs to
Make Act Appear Ridiculous, He
Claims.

Rev. George w. Mcdaniel D. D.. pas
tor of the First Baptist Church. be-
lieves the courts will put n sane con-
struction on the Sunday laws. In a
sermon yesterday Dr. Mcdaniel charg-
ed that the sudden effort to enforce
ancient statutes was n trick of the
antiprohibitionists to make the law
ridiculous.
Preaching on the subject "a Moral
Spasm in an Unexpected Source" last
night. DR.. Mcdaniel said:
In the confusion and excitement in
Richmond relative to law enforcement,
IL is well 70 recite a few facts.
Il. The last Legislature passed no
new Sunday laws. except to allow the
delivery OF ice cream manufactured
on some other day. The laws on Sab
upon the statute books before our pro-
htbition Legislature was elected If
those laws arc unwise and impracti-
cable. the blame is not upon the pro-
hibitionists.
"2. The custer law, as originally in
troduced by the friends of moral and
social welfare. did not apply to ex-
listing Sabbath laws. IT simply pro-
vided method by which the liquor,
gambling. and redlight laws could be
enforced where officers were derelict
in their duty.
80. The distinguished senior Senator
from Richmond, Hon. James Cannon,
offered the amendment making the
custer law apply to all laws and en-
forcement by officers. If Richmond OBJ
jects to the custer feature applying
to Sunday laws, she should remember
that her own Senator. and not pro-
hibitionist, is responsible for that act.
She has that serious-minded states
man to thank for this public service.
DOES NOT AFFECT
ANY OFFICERS OATH
a. The custer law. even in its
amended form. does not affect any Of
| ficer's oath. He was as solemnly bound
to enforce the law before this bill
went into effect as afterwards. The
sworn duty Of Mayor. Chief of Police
and policeman was precisely the same
last Sunday as it is this Sunday.
I'm view OF these facts one is bound
to ask few questions:
u. Is this stir from the Mayor be-
cause of an awakened conscience. or
because OF fear OF removal from Office
! 20. Is this wild talk through the city
an effort 10 discredit the prohibition
law, before II becomes effective in No
rember?
"3. Was this whole thing a trick by
antiprohibitionists TO tack on an
amendment and then have their friends
! in office make the law ridiculous by
using the weapons they had provided d?
~. Why sc much more noise and
buster in Richmond than in any other
city OF the Commonwealth? Has Rich
mond been most derelict In Sabbath
enforcement. or is she most anxious
to see prohibition fail?
SO. Why has the Mayor singled out
the Sabbath law. and particularly tho
mint, anise and cummin features.
when other laws remain upon the
statute books In a state of innocuous
every policeman who Is heard TO use
an oath. and why doesn't he buckle
| on his armor and enter upon a crusade
against swearing in Richmond?
&c. Is this a conscious spasm in the
hope Of seeing the custer bill made
| odious by indiscriminate application?
81. Are there other teeth in that bill
more dreaded than Sunday milk and
music? Is any one afraid OF the clause
which subjects to removal from office
any officer .gho shall in any public
place be in state of intoxication pro-
duced by ardent spirits voluntarily
| taken. or who shall engage in any form
OF gambling?
! TAKES FLING
At MAYOR AINsLIE
Having rccited these facts and
asked the above questions. | make sew
! eral observations:
u. The reports which gained wide
circulation and caused CONSERVATION,
that servants would not be allowed TO