Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-02-08

The removal OF saloons from Virginia
is causing business disasterin Lynchburg.
The city sergeant says that so few prison.
ers are row in the Jail that il doesn't pay
10 keep it heated and lighted, and move
ment has been started 10 do away with
the prison.
COL. ROOSEVELT has offered his ser
vices 10 the government and desires to
raise al army TO fight against the Ger
mans. This is indeed noble, and the
President whom he has abused so siren
uously should let him 90 right to the fore
front OF The first battle.
NEWS comes from Charleston TO Inc
effect that no legislation will be enacted
al this session of the Legislature provid-
ing for a production tax on coal and gas
and oil.
What a stranglehold the corporations
have on West Virginia Will nothing
break it?
1T looks as if Germany's ferocious
threats 10 make indiscriminate war upon
the peaceful ships OF all the world will
result in universal hunt for the mad dog
that IS now so viciouSly foaming and
Ssring. Civilization will not tolerate
wholesale assassination, and the murder
erS must be brought to bay, Germany's
last state will be worse than her first.
HENRY FORD, the automobile manu-
iscturer, announced on Monday that in
the event OF war he will place his great
plant at the disposal OF the government
and operate it without one cent OF profit.
He also declares that he will contribute
his own time and work harder than ever
before.
Henry's attitude is somewhat different
from that OF the iron and steel manufac
turers, who would regard the govern
ments necessities as their opportunities
for vast personal enrichment.
THE complaint is heard once more that
the capitol al Charleston is too small for
the States business. This is quite true
and not only is it entirely inadequate in
size, but il is antiquated in style and in
convenient in arrangement. We should
approve OF action by the prese1 Legis-
lature looking to the erection OF noble
building OF handsome design which shall
be ample for the public business and a
credit TO our prosperous State. West
Virginia can afford 10 have real capitol
buildlng-let'S build it.
CONGRESS has passed over the Presi-
dents veto the immigration bill which he
last week refused for such good reasons
to sign. The measure has been advoca-
ted by the labor organizations OF this
country, which hope by this means TO
keep out competitive foreign laborers.
The bill, in our opinion, is bad one, in
that there is not sufficient labor in the
United States today 10 satisfactorily do
the work that is to be done.
incidentally, the growing power Of the
labor unions is strikingly manifested.
THE Supreme Court OF the United
States on Monday permitted the filing by
counsel for those alleged Virginia West
Virginia bonds OF petition for writ Of
mandamuS, seeking TO compel the West
Virginia Legislature 10 levy special tax
or the payment OF the $l3,000,000 judg-
ment against this State. Our Legislature,
against whom the mandamus is sought
is directed TO show cause on March why
the writ should not be issued.
The action OF the court means that the
old debt case again will be thrashed Out
before the Supreme Court West Viz
ginia, which has taken no steps 10 pay OIL
the obligation since the court entered its
decree in June, 1915, has been trying to
have the case reopened so that she can
attach the amount OF interest allowed by
the court on her share OF the old debt.
II is understood that West Virginia, in
making answer 10 Virginia's request for a
writ OF mandamus, will petition the court
again 10 look into the interest question.
II this petition is granted, it is probable
that the case will hang tire for years.
a
The liquor business has received sew
eral staggering blows the past week.
The Indiana Legislature has passed a bill,
which will be signed by the Governor,
providing for absolute prohibition in that
State after April 2, 1919. The bill forbids
the manufacture, sale or distribution in
any way OF alcoholic beverages, and will
make the State good and dry.
Last Friday Governor Witheycombe
signed the absolute prohibition bill
passed by the Legislature OF Oregon, and
the State went dry Immediately, the bill
taking effect as soon as he signed it. The
new law prohibits the importation OF Ii
quor, as well as its manufacture and sale
The Governor OF Tennessee signed bll
on Friday which puts an end to all ship
ments OF beverage liquors into that State
after March lst. Between now and the
LIST OF March individuals may order ONE
gallon OF liquor for personal use.
On Friday the House OF Representa-
tivcs passed bill. already passed by ttt
Senate, providing Tor prohibition in Alaska
il makes that territory bone dry, and tht
restrictions are such that very little liquo
can find lis way into TIA. country.
A pretty good weeks work for th,
emperance cause!