The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-04-14

OF law. Of tho legislature of Virginia
The governor has not vestige OF right
to abolish that Office. Only the 1egisla-
ture which created alter or abolish.
Commissioner Peters takes the same
oath OF office as does the governor.
Though HIS office is not designated ana
defined In the constitution. 1t Is in the
acts of the general assembly.
The trainers of this petition ask the
governor to do thing which would
subject him to impeachment They care
nothing for the good name OF the
governor or commonwealth just so they
can serve their selfish purpose to food
Virginia with high-priced liquor from
Baltimore and fill their pockets with
enormous profits, with ill-gotten gain.
i, for one, resent this intrusion into
cur domestic affairs by the liquor inter
est outside the state.
Let them launch their petition. We
Will meet them at Philippi
Let all friends of prohibition. all
supporters of law and order, all de-
tenders of legally constituted author
ity expose and denounce this vicious
EFFORT to repudiate the acts of the gen
erai assembly and to annul the decision
Of majority by 10000 of the voters
of Virginia.
Signing that petition is tantamcunt
to saying to the governor Disregard
your oath and defy the Legislature and
people for the sake of the liquor traf-
ftc;' to saying to the people. Reverse
your decision which abolished the
legalized liquor traffic from Virginia
which improved morals and promoted
every legitimate business. w h C h
sobered drunkards and gladdened the
hearts of TO- 600 women: down the bars
ana let the bootleggers, worse than the
saloonkeeper, come and go at will
flooding Virginia with the poisoned
fire water OF perditIon"
such a petition is an insult to the
Intelligence and an otfense TO the
moral sense OF the people OF Virginia
The "r a p $ | / o n s. who fight
Com missioner Peters are the best wit
nesses to the effectiveness of his de-
partment
Were he lax. irresoiute and easy
going they would not have such antag-
ouism to him. He made greater per-
sonal financial sacrifices than any man
know to secure prohibition in Viz
ginia. His duties are the most ex-
acting and eSasperatins of any off,
cial He deserves and should have the
loyal support OF all advocates OF NOR
ais. OF all friends of law and order.
suiIen Liquor Trafic.
The sleepless and sulIen liquor trzf-
Ac. in an organized form, is back of
these importers Of liquor. From Bal
timore and Philadelphia they sell and
send liquor into Virginia by despera =
does whom they pay large sums OF
money. They instruct these despe-
radoes TO arm themselves and to shoot
the officers They promise legal tai
emf In the event OF arrest. They have
professional witnesses whose testi-
n.ony, II believed. would excuipate the
lawiess and convict the officers They
Ray the court fines and a per diem for
the days the outlaws spend in Jail
They are Bolshevtsts CARRIED in the
gowns OF liquor. Whoever by word or
act. countenances or supports them In,
Intentionally or unintentionally lend
ing aid and encouragement to intern l.
perance. extravaganza, anarchist and
murder The Russian Reds pretend To
fight for the rights of the landless md
lahorers. The liquor Reds have not
that shadow OF pretext to stand upon.
They organize and conspire to defy
the laws OF n sovereign state, to cor
rupt the witnesses Of the common
wealth. to overswe the friends of pro-
h,hition. TO enfane the public mind
with prejudice. to intimidate and kill
tho peace ofricers-and all this for the
love of mammon and drink We should
inform them in an unristakable man
ner that they cannot perpetrate these
outrages on this state,
Virginia has reared inestimahle
benefits from prohibition Cities and
towns are more orderly and prosper
Gus, hotels and clubs are more quiet
and restfui. individuals and homes are
more contented and happy. education
and religion are more appreciated and
helpful. Thousands of men who
voted against prohibition have voiun
tarily and gladly conceded that con
ditions are imn1easurably improved
over the old regime. Under such con
ditfons. surely the people will not Be
childish and EulIible enough to allow
the liquor interest to cause them to
lose their heads or to surrender their
victory; nor should the people consider
a compromise of principle with the un
prtncipled. Fight 1t out on the lines
OF law and enforcement IL 1t takes all