Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1920-01-09
WOULD ABOLISH
THE DEPARTMENT
K. L. Gilpin Is Sending Out
Letters Regarding Can
didacy for Speakership
SCHOOLS NEED FUNDS
Declares Election of Richard l.. Brew
or to Chair Would Mean Death in
committee of Bill.

Richmond, January 9.-"The State
Prohibition Department seems to me
useless expenditure of public funds,
now so esperately needed by our
! schools and roads, for which have
earnestly fought ever since became a
member of the Legislature. The de-
par;ment cannot be abolished with a
Speaker in the chair who favors the
continuance of the office. The vote
in the House of Delegates will be close
at best, and if the bill is held in COM
mittce, which committee is appointed
by the Speaker, it will, of course, be
killed."
These are outstanding statements in
letter from Kenneth \. Gilpin, can
didate for the speakership of the
House during the coming session
against Richard L. Brewer, to every
member of the lower branch of the
Legislature, 100 in number.
Mr.. Gipin is from Clark and War
rem Counties, and is waging his fight
for the speakership against Mr.. Brew
er on the issue of the abolition Of
the State Prohibition Department.
Mr.. Gilpin's letter to the members
If the House follows:
"In spite of the claims made by the
friends of my opponent for the speak
arsh:p of The next House of Delegates,
he race has become exceedingly close.
now feel confident of success. a.
though | have not made wild and e%-
ess;ve claims Of support.
! Frankly speaking, there are eight
unpledged members. These eight men
will decide the issue. as neither Mr..
Brewer nor myself has the necessary
number Gorty-thrce. without the
majority Of them.
Through the past weeks there has
seen a decided turn from my oppo-
iert. as it has been clearly shown
hat the State Prohibition Depart
ment cannot be abolished with q
Speaker in the chair who favors tic
continuance of the office. The vote
II best will be close in the House, AMI
f The bill il held in committee, which
committee is appointed entirely h%
.ha Speaker. it will, of course, Ing
';i}cd.
"The idea tnat the Speaker has but
;ne vote in 100. the same as other
members, is true only so far as after
I bill has reached the floor of the
House. a stroke of his pen will keep
mat niil in committee forever.
Tho State Prohibition Department.
.eems to me useless expenditure If
anblic funds, now so desperately
needed by cur schools and roads, and
s,r which | have earnestly fought ever
since became member of the Leg
stature.
I'VE have the Attorney-General and
y! of the constabulary of the State &c
cnfo, re this law. as practically al!
II" Otner STATES enforce it. In "ddi-
ticr % this the United States GOV
-rnment has appropriated 3,O1o.0GO
I, enforce the 'dr;' act. of which sum
", p:- our propnrtionatc share.
My candidacy was formulated :n.i
has been pusil'l y the more prog
! sive ard liberal members of the las
| Lcoi.:. lure. v',1 believe, as | do, in B..
more business like legislation look
! .ng to prac.;car.G G'y. progress:va"fT y
a.l economy
"Ihese issues and this policy n'v@
acrcnlc so acute ths>ughout the Stnt4
! :h9r = c.eat numbe- of members fcr-
reriy strongly in favor of Mr.. Brew
er have seen fit to espouse my cause
"If convenient, will you write me
! at the Richmond Hotel, Richmond
your candidate opinion on these sub
iects.'