Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-03-20

yet ready TO say that Governor Davis.
iction In asking reduction In thI
annonnt 70 enforce the prohibition lad
proves the arguments used against
him in the campaign, viz: that hl
"ouid lend himself to efforts likely q
pc made TO weaken and bring the la
action has been without that deep AMI
friendly consideration which the i'm
portance of the matter deserves
Governor Davls's comparison of mi
ana In other States Is what the iawI
yers would call an ex parte statement
AZ he gives no statement whatever a
% inc results obtained. Doubtless, B.
Elnin than in Maine. since Virginia n
making an honorable and manly all
tempt to enforce this. while Maine apI
pears TO use II as a political football
WHAT value has such cornpn-;son1
FURTHER. II doubtless costs more nj
een.orce the fish and oyster laws oil
since EirSinia has much larger interI
ests OF that Kind to look after. I, viii
not De matter OF surprise 10 TIL
, o""uEh' IA ~ Virginia needs NOR
southern States lying south OF pro|
ADDITION belt two or three StateI
NICK; and where no such powerful in|
ierts,s are actively engaged in tryI
Hpuor into dry territory We hayl
on the north OF ua the largo and corl
rnpt city Of baltimore. one OF ,h|
'tfBcst headQuarterS OF l!quor inter
eats IN the United States. and tho eli \
70 which most Of the Wholesale lIouot
Houses In virginia fed when tho pro|
! nus; we have rot only the money an
dcvt!!sh ingenuity OF the national
nln"r business 70 contend against hui
h!so men still living In our midst whl
nouses. and. Ike German snies. AL
opcratinE from tn" ranks OF the dry.j
with all The intimate Enowiedge oil
local conditions and local hootle gger|
and blockade runners 20 arslst theii
IN their efforts to discrcdit and brea
down our laws II there were seriI
would Governor Davis GU, down nj
appropriation declared by EXPERTS mel
ce3sary TO eradicate the disease? ArI
not the health, prosperity and moral
or The people OF the Old Dominion al
important as the cattle?
II Is we'll known that while the prol
hihition laws OF the State came Ind
mandate OF the voters, there Is at thI
same time large and influential ant
nsrniciously active minority strivini
niyh; and day. sunday. and Monday}
aided by the best legal talent, by uni
limited money, by intimate knowied,
OF local conditions and. mostly. by th/
practical and professional politicianrI
good repute OF these laws. Small
credit would the liquor business taxi
10 Itself II II could succeed In break
kansas or Arizona; hut IL the laws Of
Virginia can be brought into contempt
and made of no avail. loud and lon !
viii be the rejoicing throughout all
The character and dignity clustering
around the name OF the Old Domin
ion makes the people OF this State |
staining mark for the arrows OF thu
liuunr traffic Shall n fhia Nrti}
cal period in our history. weaken OUT
defense at the misapplied shibbolet4
or economy? From 1910 TO 1916 th9
name for economy by starving thu
army and navy. Largely as a resulY
OF ,snt suicidal .P o3niceyyo o we we are nov
amount now spent in one month. II II
had been we'll distributed over tn
seven years in question might hav}
tainly could have averted all necessit
for our participation In the war b}
placing US in a position OF such un
doubted strength that our rights woui{
we in sheer desperation were drivet
to war. 4
Shall not the. people Of virgini|
learn lesson from the folly of tn
freely give the money necessary y
win this pressing battle with TIL
united forces OF liquordom? If tn
Office of Prohibition Commissioner Il
derelict in properly spending TIL
money provided. sec to II. Howcved
no one says that the Commissioner 81
Prohibition has been dcrelict. ThI
daily papers furnish the unanswer|
able evidence Of the large need Of
men and money to enforce the law1
also that the men are active. ,sincI
have been seized since tho first Of THU
month, according to press reports
This is both n war for democracy AMI
humanity against the enemy of mani
kind. Accused be he who first shai
stay the hand Of Justice or seek II
cripple the forces OF righteousness.
]. .. ATWOOD.
Richmond, March 18th.