The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-02-25
'PREn|ERS' OPINIONS
ON PROHIBITION ACT

Testimony to Splendid Effect AZ the
Operation of Prohibition Law
Prom n large Number OF
Canadian Statesmen.
Opinions of some Of the public
men of Canada have been secured by
the prohibition party on the question
lof total prohibition in Canada The
testimony OF all sorts and conditions
lof pi01. .nEepQers, members OF 1paE-
,ssssarpts ,p{SKsss,onal ann nus{neAs
men Is extraordinarily unanimous as
to the great benefits which have re-
suited from the operation Of the pro-
hibition law. which Is regarded in
some quarters rs the greatest reform
movement of modern days. The fol-
lowing are a few OF the expressions
lof approval:
Sir @. II. Murray. Premier OF Nova
Scotia: Regard prohibition legisla-
ton in Nova Scotia an very bene-
fetal"
The Hon. T. G. Norris, Premier Of
Manitoba: Reports are certainly
beneficial. and the act working bet
ter than / expected
The Hon. w. NJ. Martin. Premier OF
Saskatchewan: Crime has decreased
and one of our jaiis has been closed.
Money formerly spent on liquor now
finds its way into more legitimate
channels, and the prosperity OF the
Province as a whole has been in
creased"
Hon. W. f. Foster, Premier of New
Brunswick: This is not q suitable
time to judge of the popularity OF the
social and business advantages of pro-
hihition in New Brunswick. A better
survey OF its general effect can be
made after the return OF the men who
have heen overseas. Prohibition in
New Brunswick since II became eff
fective in May, 1918, has undoubtedly
given satisfaction i'll many quarters,
and it's beneficial effects have been
particularly noticeable in the reduced
number or persons arrested for Of
lenses against law and order and the
increased prosperity of certain classes
OF people. Following the closing OF
public bars. the Scott act being in
force IN a large portion Of the Prov
inca before the prohibitory law came
into force may account for the result
OF prohibition not being so marked
in New Brunswick as elsewhere"
Sir w. II. Hearst. Premier of On
tario: Il arm thankful to be able 10
say that The operation OF the law has
come up 10 my greatest expectations
Reports from AL parts OF the Province
indicate the success OF the measure
az well az the great benefits that are
resulting from it One very Crafty
Ing result OF the act is the increased
efficiency OF tho workers of this Prov
ince in every branch of phod0cIon.
Employers Of labor are unanimously
OF the opinion that our people are do
ing more and better work today than
ever before This Is q good thing for
the workers, and for their families,
and for their employers as we'll. and
il is a great thing for the country at
Il time when all our energies are re-
ouired TO save the empire from de-
structiou. In this way patriotic rur-
pose Of the 'ehcst order has been
served. Our information Is that the
hotel accommodation in Ontario was
on the whole better than before the
act came into force. and II ~ con-
stantly improving. though II may not
Re quite as extensive, and in some
cases not as cheap as II was when the
sale OF liquor was permitted.
Criminal Cases Decreased.
Official hgures Indicate a large de-
crease IN the number of convictions
for drunkenness In the Province Tho
small number Of criminal cases
throughout the Providence. and the
absence Of criminals in so many of
our jails bear positive testimony 10
the good influence OF this measure in
reducing crimes OF all kinds. ara
there can be no doubt that the act
has been instrumental in adding
greatly 10 the comfort and happiness
OF thousands % our people.
II feel confident that =. our people
become accustomed to TIE changed
condition. still better results Will
rnsue. A generation will grow w tree
from the associations and temptations
Of the open and public sale Of In
toxjcatiGT liquors: tAe taste and tn-
ci.nstton for alcohol will gradually dis
appear. and we viii escape the terri
Bile evils with which the executive use
OF tntoYicants has 80 long been asso-
ciated Many good people had doubts
Of the wisdom and the practicahility
of the step To-day tbosss wao essesoien-I
,tioosiv opnosed the measure are to be
found among its strongest supporters
20 that the public sentiment necessary
TO the proper enforcement. OF this law
is constantly growing and guarantees
alike Its efficiency and stability"
The Hon. N w Rowell. NJ r. pres
ifert Of the rrivy council. III there 10
ANYTHING in modern times and par.i-
culariy in the developments since ihia
war hruEe our. winch mas been forced
upon the attention OF ali thoughtful
people in all civilized communities IL in
the demand for the efficiency OF the
Individual. whether that individual he
in civil life o- In military service
That demand for efficiency is de-
naud that ~o should be able TO accom-
plish the tasks which confront us as
citizens no matter what position or
calling In life We may fl', The univer-
sal and urquestionahle testimony. not
only IF science bur ~ industrial lead
ers and OF the military authorities.
agrees that strong drink does imrair
the efficiency OF tho man who induiges
in il. The open bar and the sale of
liquor in our midst do work against
the highest efficiency OF the individual
the highest efficiency OF the cornuu-
nifty. the highest efficiency of the ma
ton and. in a time such AS his Il is
our privilege ard despons bility 10 pro-
mote higher efficiency by removing
that which impaired the abilities OF
sur citizens"
The Hon. r. r. Carveil minister "A