The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-06-13
DELEGATE 4. c. GIlMER
WARNS VIRGINIA VOTERS
Effort Will be Made in Next LeRtsla-
turc to Nullify Prohibition Laws
Now Enforccd-Commfs
sioner Warmly Defended.

Delegate H. c, Gilmer of Pulaski
county has announced that he will not
make the race for reelection 10 the
& .,tcral assembly. In statement ex-
banning his purpose, he makes q
vigorous defense of the PROHIBITION
laws OF Virginia and the officers VINO
sse making ii effective, and urges MS
,on Stituents and the citizens OF the
sta generally to be on their guaro IN
c'tcdng members Of the next leglsia-
ture. He says:
"A profound sense Of its importance
i-npels me at this time to call atten-
ton 10 the probability which is APP
parent that an effort will be made al
the next regular session of the general
assembly. under the guise OF an at
erfpt to abolish the office OF prom
hilton commissioner, to practlcaiiS
neHify the prohibition law in so FAR
a. its proper administration is con-
cerned There Is a distinct apathy on
the part Of our people and danger
Gus indifference shown toward the IN
sidious efforts now being made by the
liquor forces to create a false senti-
ment in opposition to the enforcement
of this law. 1t Is the most sincere
wish Of the distiller and the bootlegger
tia. the office of prohibition commits
sioner be abolished. OF course. This Is
not at all surprising. But that re-
spectable people and people of sense
will align themselves with this law
less class. thereby giving some spirit
Of resrectability to palpahle attack
upon law enforcement by the very
people whose pernicious activities con
stitute the strongest argument FOR
rigid enforcement. is truly appalling
s.jn the Roanoke Times OF today
GA abe first page is a statement signed
BY one Mr. George Bosnian of Ports
mouth who says he is a candidate
for the house OF delegates. Why this
article should have beer dignified by
a place in any newspaper of large
circulation is a question which would
intrude itself at the most casual read
ing of the articles: This gentleman
says that prohibition is not an issue
In this campaign. The only question
at issue is as to the enforcement OF
the prohibition law. He then pro-
ceeds to accept what he calls the
challenge OF the Ant!Saloon league,
and says he will vote for the total
abolition OF the prohibition depart
mcnt.. Here we have the text as
well AS the program OF the people who
would like to see open saloons in Nir-
rinia again. 1t is absolutely replete
wirh ihs1ncerity. The man Ia Virginia
today who lie In favor OF abilishing the
ofaee OF prohibition com issioner is
a, the same time whether he knows
IT or not. opposing the enforcement OF
"a that Law and he is directing his op-
DoEition n the most vital point In
ouch enforcement
MFR. Bosnian further brings for
ward the old time-worn. discred,ted
objection of the liquor people to pro
vide sufficient money for conducting
The ONCE of prohibition commits
sianer. saving that this money is our
hard earned money. BY our. I sup
oose he means hlockader. because II
he knows anything at all about the
Office Of prohibition Commissioner. ne
knows that through it's activities sew
eral times as much Of our money Is
saved as is necessary 70 conduct this
office, l doubt exceedingly whether
q man who could subscribe TO any
such letter as this OF Mr.. Bosnian
ever read any OF the. published re-
enrts OF the comm issioner office or
'aas the slightest knowledge OF the
workings OF that office.
The man who goes from Pulaski
county 10 tho next session OF the gen
.ral assembly will find there. Just a.
I found cotcrie of gentlemen who
arc anxious and willing to do every
thing TO break down the prohibition
LAM. The old crowd VIII he aug
mented somewhat by certain recruits
from such cities as Portsmouth. where
the law is already trampled under foot
This band of advocates of personal
liberty, encouraged by these unthink
ing critics OF some respecta hility who
have been duped by false ciamor
rr,sed FIRST by the hlockader against
H~.~
70 do what they can to unscat Mr.,
re.ers They know well enough that
II the Office of prohibition commits
sicrer is abolished. the good old wet
times are at hand again.
DO not be deceived. my friends OF
pulaski county. the howl that is be-
ing raised against enforcement OF the
prohibition law Is being raised by the
fellow who is hit by such enforcement
We ought to reflect moment and
sec that the strictest enforcement OF
any law will never hurt anybody ex-
cept the lawbreaker. Judging from
sonse things we have seen in the press
Of this state. coming from inspired
liquor sources. We might be led to
believe that the prohibition commits
sioner takes chief delight in gather
ing about him for inspection work the
most reckless and desperate char
acters and sends them throughout the
state with Instruction. no. to look
for bootleEgers-but TO sec how much
damage they can do and how much
terror they can spread among the
law abiding people OF the state by
holding them up on the highways,
searching their baggage, shooting
them on sight. and by other forms OF
terrorism peculiar to the COM
missioner's Office. Now II would be
more than useless to say that such
nonsense as this should have no
erect on the sensible people OF vir-
ginia but such propaganda is con-
tinually pouring forth from a certain
class of people who themselves are
being used, unconsciously perhaps, as
the mere tools of the lawless element
OF this state.
LET me implore the people OF this
county to insist upon firm stand, not
only in regard to the essential pro-