Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-06
Voice Of the People
Letters must give the name and ad-
oress OF the writer. Nnme will not be
published IL writer so requests
The Prohibition Amendment.


published II writer so requests.
=, The Prohibition Amendment.
TO The Editor OF The Times Dispatch:
Sir.--That Virginia may be tho lrst
state TO ratify the nation-wid pro
hlbition seems TO be the desire OF the
OF the Anti Saloon League ia being
shaped to that end. That is the trend
of discussion heard mt the headuuarters
Of the league. and il is reelected In IL
part of the state press. Argument l.,
advanced that the majority OF the
members of the General Assembly favor
the amendment: hence. q vote shoulu
be taken carly i'll the session. thus 1T
one time relieving the lawmakers from
any further worry over the liquor aues-
honor OF speedy ratification.
AS citizen of the State Of Vir-
ginia and OF tho United States ! should
crai Assembly. In saying This. | be-
ltere ] express the sentiment Of Il large
number Of the people Of Virginia with
o ps.na regard to their personal attitude
legislation by tho several States.
helievc IL may he safely predicted tina,
II me question were submitted TO the
people many OF our best citizens who
voted In favor of state prohibition IN
1915 would vote against this destruc-
tive measure.
eSsary TO confer upon the state OF Nir-
einta. or any other state. the power to
adopt and enforce the policy Of pro-
hibition. 50 long as the citizens Of the
State desire that policy TO be con-
tinued. The power Is inhercn, in State
sovereigmiy and is possessed by every
state. The purpose OF the amendment
Is TO ~rcst from the States the right
or legislation upon the subject aud To
create at Washington a centralized
conduct OF tho people of the whole
country such as has never before been
known under a free constitution.
The prohibition law of tho State sup
plcmcnted by the recent Federal sta
tutc known as tho Reed Amendment"
which torbldS transportation of liquors
into the state except for medicinal.
gives the people Of Virginia all the
prohibition they desire. The purpose
OF The amcndmcnt is TO deprive the
people of the power to make any ,nodi-
location OF the law II they should desire
10 Il" 20 People arc no longer free
who are deprived OF tho power 10
Tue change which would be made IN
the theory OF III" government. and in
the relation OF Federal power to the
people of tho several states. II tho pro-
posed amendment should be adopt cd
would be the most radical and danger
Gus ever contemplated In tho country's
history. IL means that tho sovereignty
Of the states is to he destroyed and the
Constitution is 10 hc converted into n
police regulation. which would set nj
nanHht the varying sentiments OF the
Constitution. which. at this crisis in
the country's history. should he the
source and inspiration OF American pa
trioiism. and command. as 1t has al
ways done in the past. the highest re-
kpeet and affection or the American
people. is I" be converted into AN or
Eanic sumptuary measure. to ba de-
spised by citizens throucho tho whole
country as sumptuary legislation is al
NAYS despised by free and indopen-
dent people. 1t means tina, for tho first
q ~ Tod
tho Constitution is 10 create criminal
ohcnEts. and that Congress is 10 he
given concurrent power with the Icgis
latnics of the several States In enforce
The amendment by the imposition OF
such PENALTIES as Congress may ser fit
u prescribe II means that citizens
states. charged with violation OF Of
lenses created by Congress are to he
tried III Federal courts. distant from
their homes. and. upon conviction. arc
10 lie confined in Fedora! prisons. II
means that the states arc to surrender
their power OF egis!ation upon the sub
Congress in enforcn. penalties, and
tina: the laws OF the several States will
be subordinated to the legislation
adopted by Congress. II means that
the people OF Virginia. and OF tho other
states. arc to be exposed To the danger
OF being made criminals by congress
sional leg isla tinn--lee islation enacted
by members or Congress. in whose cleo
ton they can exercise no choice. IL
means that tho states arc to surrender
their duty To control and protect their
citizens by their OVEN laws. and that
this important function Of State gov
eminent is To be transferred to n CEN
tralized government nj Washingio on.
!; means that this power Of Federal
sumptuary legislation is to he forced
upon tn" people Of all tho states. how
evermnch. as matter OF local policy.
they may oppose such measures.
| am unwilling 10 believe that the at
titudc OF the General Assembly Of Nir-
.inia has been correctly stated.
am unwilling 10 believe that ''prohibi-
ton officers" at the headquarters Of
the prohibition commissioner can state
in advance what is 10 he the action
of the Legislature upon a measure Of
such far-reaching consequence. ] am
unwilling To bciicv" that Virginia. the
mother OF states and rf States rights