Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1920-03-13

Commissioner Petors he said was to
be admired for the enemies he had
made. The success of prohibition In
virginia demanded his reelection.
Major Gibson replied to the charg
es OF those who. he said had seen fit
to tannt the House with the black
flag of law defiance. Members Of the
House he asserted, with sonle show
or feeling arc as law-abiding as are
those OF the upper branch.
Peters no said had appeared before
the House Committee on Moral and
Social Welfare and asked that a reso
luton introduced by Major Gibson
calling for q Showdown" on the
part Of the Prohibition Department
be not reported out Peters, he said,
admitted that ho was unable to furn
ish certain information demanded by
the resolution. His inability to furn
tBh the date sought, coupled with his
request to have tho resolution killed
In committee, was unfair, no said, to
tho committee, unfair to the House
and unfair to Virginia.
Tho Joyce resolution, calling for
a complete Investigation Of tho Pro
hibition Department, he said although
passing tho House by u unanimous
vote, was smothered In tho Senate by
Senator Mapp and his solid phalanx"
and then resurrected when it was too
late to do any one any good.
He repeated the words of tho Soma
tor from Accomac who said the pro
posed Investigation waB child's play
Action OF tMapp and his colleagues
with respect to the same measure
Gibson described as evidence OF senile
old ago.
RESENT ATTACKS BY DJYs.
He did not believe tho opinion of
tho Attorney-General that tho Prohi-
bition Department was within its
legal rights :. In employing outside
council to defend It's agents accused
Of crime. would hold water in any
court OF Justice. Incorporation into
the bill to abolish tho Prohibition
Department In 1922 OF clause pro
viding that tho funds OF tho depart
mont were not to BIO used In employ
Ing outside counsel, was the strong
est kind Of q condemnation Of such
practice he satd.
lilo resented tho insputation that
those who opposed tho continuance
or the Prohibition Department .wero
accompHcos OF bo+,taeggers. To gay
that agents OF the dry" department
were aligned with this gang more
nearly would be correct, he said.
| Peters, said Major Gibson had
sought to drive bargain with the
old organization Democrats He made
naesing reference to tho Smith let
ter written to Senator Downing, and
'ead In tho Senate by the representa-
Sivo in tho upper branch from Ian
castor.
He did not overlook Bishop Can.
non to whom no referred as tho boss
Of tho House. Cannon, he said, was
lere to take Peters homo in tho
event of his defeat. and give him a
Job.
For Gods sake" no said, don't
again saddle tho Prohibition Depart
Inent with man who cannot make
q living at anything else"
II Smith We're cleoted, he sold, that
you'd be the end Of 1t. He wouldn't
oe back within two years asking to
bf reelected. On the other hand wero
'nters to be returned, "you viii have
90 olu brothers-the political par
s9ns-back here. buttonholing and
:9mmunlng with YOU"
He scored the Collector Of Intern
|al Revenue for alleged lobbying In
he interest Of Peters--"when he is
lhid to look after the business OF the
Federal government"
A preacher In politics is as despic
af!o as a whisky man In politics, he
aid in conclusion.
A public officer like Caesars wife
should be above reproach or get out,
stephenson, Of Bath, said. {No one
18th spark OF Virginia manhood
n HIM would lot 20 unanswered
iharges such as have been made
against tho Prohibition Commission
T, ne said.
Tho hour struck, the time has
como. whom We must put. principle,
above the Individual, declared viii
'inms. Of Fairfax when a preacher
oses the confidence and respect of
any proportion OF his CONGREGATION,
he time has arrived for a change.
M. Peters has forfeited the sympa-
my and cooperation of q vast ma
lority OF Christian citizens and offi
eia1s."
The election of Smith would be
tho second best thing that could hap
pom for prohibition in Virginia dc
cared Warren. OF Pittsylvania. Adolf
ton Of the Prohibition Department
10 the first.
RICHMOND DELEGATES DIVIDED
The Richmond delegation was di.
7fded. Price, Bcschen and Wilcox
voted for Smith. Yaddon and Fu,lar