The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1920-01-16
BUDGET BILL AND PRO-
UIBlTION DEPARTMENT
tLyncilburg News. January 40


If it be true as stated m Richmond
dispatch that in Governor Davis bud-
get bill no appropriation is contem-
plated for the continuance of the state
prohibition department. the fact is re-
srettabie. although the governor by
foot note says that he will not veto
bill which provides for a reasonable ap-
propriation designed to adequately
finance Commissioner Peters office
From all of which it may be gathered
that the governor is disposed to corn
NIT this entire matter to the general
/, assembly, without the burden or the
! benefit of executive recommendation
other than that which may be implied
by his failure to include the prchibl-
ton DEPARTMENT one of the subjects
which should address itself to the APP
prevail of the Legislature.
We feel entirely sure that the gen
eral assembly viii not wish to as
sumo the responsibility of either per-
hitting the prohibition department to
cease to exist or Of starving it into A
condition of inefficiency The time
may come, to be sure, when this &C.
ton will be deemed wise but II is not
vet at hand. Indeed. the fight for sue
essafol enforcement which is now be-
&shnins throughout the nation repre-
senss An undertaking of such impress
I'VE magnitude as to require the sympa-
thetic. active and we'll or ganized sup
port of local authorities in every state
in tho union. AS q matter OF fact un-
less this aid Is afforded. It Ia extreme
ly doubtful whether the general move
nferft Will not meet with tide OF op-
position so strong that it will be very
difficult to breast and overcome. The
anti-enforcenent leaders and in fiuence
viii make of the entire nation their
I battle feld--they will not neglect Viz
txf, IL ~.
ginia and in every other state will be
found those who are eagerly alert to
aid the aw-defying Campaign. In be-
ing forewarncd should be. fore
+ armed; recogni2ing as in good sense
we should. that in the far-fung battle
lines that viii soon divide the en-
foreement and non enforcement senti-
p rnent OF the country from coast to
coast. each state is challenged to be
especially vigilant to contribute it's
quota to the activities and forces which
are to be employed in behalf OF the
supremacy of law and order Thus far
Commissioner Peters has afforded 4
gratifying response to the large re-
sponsiblltjes which are entailed By his
office. While. was to have been ex-
pected, occasional attractions OF the
prohibition law have occurred vet they
nave been reduced to a reasonah bic
minimum. and as a result the reonle
Of Virginia have lad ample cause for
qualification. Bait his task has. MT
ct been fully accom- nltshed- Viewing
tire situation exclusively from TIE
standneint of ire state the pro- ibitloa
dcpa r'ment can ont. he bolished to
the great nrejud &c Of the cause cf pro-
hint on; while regarding II in the light
of TIE beginning of an era OF nation
vide enforcement, the state sc.i~'tjes
in Aid thereof o. 9sst to he maintained
a. Il.
Queer that Firg'nia shah not be sub
iec'ed TO the influences and aggressions
v-hirh win be conses%nent unon the
opening of the nuDi~ "afion campaign
IA AL PARTS of the country, Therefore.
II seems TO us that a this precise juno
tnre Of affairs it is especially impor-
tant that the state shall not hesstate
IN The work Of maintaining an efficient
and adequately financed department 81
prob ibition.