Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-06-02
DAVIS ANSWERS QUERY
OF ANT|-SAL0ON LEAGUE
Candidate for Governor Says He
Will, IL Elected, Enforce lrohibi-
ton and Other Laws.
VOTED FOR LOCAL OPTION"
Is Personally Total Abstainer, and
Promises to Give Effect to ANY
Reasonable Legislation" to Rem
der Dry Laws Effective.

That the question OF prohibition will
be injected int" the campaign for Gov
crnor is forecast in letter received
several days asS by Westmoreiand
Davis. one OF the three candidates for
the Democratic nomination. from G.
ID. QuiScnbcrry. president of the Anti
Saloon League Of Orange County.
questioning him as tn his attitude to-
ward the enforcement and the strength
ennG Of III. dry" laws.
Mr.. Davis has replied to the queries
saying that he voted for local
option" was practically inactive in the
1914 campaign. believing il to ho Il
question for each individual to decide
for himself; would enforce tho pro-
hi'ition laws with the same zeal as
any other law, and would desire as
Governor to give effect to any ''rea-
sonable legislation" To render cnec-
tive the prohibition law
1t is an open secret that the ortho-
doX prohibition leaders will give their
support to some candidate other than
Mr.. Davis. presumably TO Lieutenant
Governor J. Taylor EllyEon. However.
Attorney-General John Garland Pol
lard has been consistent dry
leader. and has declared in the plat
form upon which he is Offering for
Governor for constitutional prohbi-
ton.
CHEERFULLY ACCEPTS
WILL OF MAJORITY
Mr.. Davis's letter to Mr.. Quisen-
berry is. in part, as follows:
II voted for local option. ] wrote a
letter to. Judge George l.. Christian
just prior to the election setting forth
my views. and what had found on
trip to Maine about the working of
the prohibition law there. was not
otherwise active in the campaign. be-
cause thought it was a question each
man should decide for himself. | was
greatly influenced in my decision TO
vote for local option by the fact that
Woodrow Wilson. in whose judgment
| have great faith. and other sociolo-
SistS thought that il was the best
method To secure temperance. am a
total abstainer from the use of al
coholc drinks.
We have now a State prohibition
law. administered by Prohibition
Commissioner. who has separate de-
partment of State government. There
is an custer law with the aid Of
which he can cause removal from Of
flee of those who fail riGidly To en-
force the law; we have the bone dry
law. which prohibits the importation
into dry territory OF liquor These
are strong agencies. specially created
for the independent enforcement OF
the prohibition law.
am Democrat, and always cheer
fully accept the will Of the majority
and. il elected Governor. will enforce
the prohibition law, just as will
under my oath OF Office. enforce all
the laws Of the Commonwealth.
You must remember that tho duties
or Governor are of semijudicial
character. He. together with the con-
curing branches of the Legislature.
make laws: and il would be highly
improper for any candidate to say that
he would sign n law that had not been
drawn, nor passed by the Legislature
| can only say, therefore, with pro-
pricty. that II would be my desire, II
elected Governor. to give effect to any
reasonable legislation which might he
passed TO render effective the prohibit
tion law, which | recognize is the ex-
preston Of the, ma jority Of the people
II shall always be guided in my ac-
tion by the dictates Of my conscience
and my desire to serve the state in
spirit of good citizenship.
II have endeavorcd TO give YOU a
straightforward answer TO your cues
tons: and shall be pleased to furnish
formation as you may desire. so there
may he no misrepresentation whatever
AS TO my record and purpose
II shall be glad to have your CO.
operation. with that OF all good citi-
zcns. in my campaign. but ! desire il
only II IL goes with your confidence in
my earnest support TO live in fun
measure up to the duties prescribed
by the oath OF the great Office seek
Governor of Virginia.