The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-11-24

virginia Conference OF the Methodist
episcopal Church. South passed unan-
lmously ringing resolutions in support
OF the policy of prohibition as now in
enect In Virginia. and demanding its
adoption In the nation.
The resolutions were embodied in
The report OF the temperance commit
Tee. They recite in detail the progress
made in dry legislation in the state
and nation. especially since the be-
ginning of the war. and tell Of the
improved social conditions in Virginia
during the first year without saloons,
vigorous support was pledged to the
Anti-Saloor league and its great work
both in the state and nation. The
resolutions follow:
l. Resolved, that we rejoice In the
unparalleled progress which has been
made In the work of social reform:
in dry capital OF or great nation
in the barring of liquor advertising
OF every form from the United states
mail. whether in great metropolitan
dailies or In circular form, when such
advertising is intended to circulate in
dry territory; in the prohibition of In
terstate shipments of liquor for ber-
erage purposes from wet into dry ter
ritory; In the prohibition OF the sale
of intoxicating liquors to the uni
formed soldiers and sailors OF the Uni
ted States army and navy: In the Ia"
passed TO protect the soldiers from
irpurity and vice: In the prohibition
OF the manufacture of foodstufrs into
distilled spirits: in the passage or
prohibition law for Alaska. and OF an
enabling act for Porto Rico. by means
of which a short time later on Porto
Rico voted dry; In the appropriations
Rx-n Ietx Auu wanda hp congress
10 provide for the recreation ana
moral welfare of the soldiers through
the commission on training camp &C
sivities; In the splendid work which
is be!ng done with the approval OF the
government in the army and navy
camps by the Young Mems Christian
association for the physical. inteliec-
tual and moral welfare Of the soldiers
both In our own country and IN the
countries of Europe; In the passage
by the senate OF the United States ay
n sweeping majority Of the resolution
providing for the submission OF the
constitutional prohibition amendment
TO the several states for ratification.
Finally, we rejoice in the fact that
since our last conference the Aapp
prohibition law has teeTi Thoroughly
tested. and IL Is the hope ana the
belief OF our people that the partner
shin of the state of Virginia with the
legalized liquor traff1c has been ols-
solved never to be renewed. To-Day
public officials. including the Cover :
nor OF the commonwealth, judges or
the courts, police officials. leading
bankers manufacturers. merchants,
farmers. pagt6rs, FATHERS. mothers.
wives and children unite In emphatic
testimony that both the material ana
moral welfare OF the commonwealth
of virginia has bean promoted oy 'he
Mapp prohibition. law. even beyond
the predictions Or expectations OF It's
most ardent supporters. The number
of convictions for pentteutary oHehses
has been reduced from SOS in the nine
months from January /. 1919. to DC
tober /, 1915. to 3e1 in the nine
moths from January l. 1917. TO DC
tober 1. 1877. The number OF per
sons In TALL In October 1ss, was 8, ls4;
In July. 1aiT. the number was lscan:
These figures indicate reduction OF
30 per cert In the criminal cases IN
the courts, and the report OF the state
auditor shows n great decrease IN the
amount OF criminal expenses Inese
re.,,Sfs havs rorrfoansacai ," the 'Pyeo44s~
ttona Of our enemies, and have para
lived any open organized oppositioh
TO the repeal Of our prohibition Jaw,
we congratulate the Ann-saiooa
T>s rue of Virginia upon the spienoio
results which have followed from the
operstson of the Mapp law.
Resolved, we heartily commeno
.,a nublic officials OF the common
-..,tb. who under the able leader
.hin OF the commissioner of prohloi-
tion. Rev. J. Sidney Peters. have SO
faithfully administered the provisions
~ tha Mapp law. We hereby petition
~. next general assembly of Virginia
n correct any detects which may nave
berome manifest in the administration
ri the law, strengthening II In such
particulars as may be necessary W
.sc,,r. The most efficient enforcement
sa.sth,e and we furthermore urge that
INA appropriation by the state for the
.tr,rt enforcement OF the law be made
-Ssavste so that the "moonshiners
sna blind tigers" may be oanished
from our state. and the lovers OF
i,auor more than the lovers OF law
NAV he unable TO secure intoxican's
nortrary TO the law of the state, ana
wa pledge our hearty cooperation
With the Anti-5aioon League OF VIZ
w,r,a in its advocacy of such amend
ments to the law.
Resolved, that while we pledge
;. ire government of the United states
~, rossible cooperation in the carry
inr out of its policies and plans 10.
tha conservation OF foodstuns ana
other needed supplies and resources.
sra must express most emphaticaiiy
n,,r oninion that the welfare or our
oauntrv requires the complete aboii-
80, NJ the use of foodstuffs in the
srufacture OF beer and wine. as well
- In the matter Of spirituous liquors
80 we most respectfully but earnest
y. ,rge the president OF the United
E..ts. to exercise forthwith the au-
.nartfy conferred upon him by con-
Ices 10 prevent the further waste OF
sooastuffs by breweries and wineries
~ other manufactures OF intoxi-
I'VE We believe that such action
ar the part Of the president would
20 with the approval of the great
anor,tv of the citizens of our coun-
,n~ and would not only prevent the
.-ss.a of needed food supplies, but
.a,,ld greatly increase the efficiency
=, .,,r people In the growing or crops
" "a In the manufacture OF supplies
.aesssary for the successful prosecu-
ZION OF the war.
resolved, that we rejoice In the
,r,otic response OF our young men
p.n. call OF the country to night the
s.,,,as OF freedom and righteousness.
We believe that these choice young
49,, should receive not only 1000 ana
n,othfnr, and as mar. comforts as