The Washington times., 1922-06-23
.DAv|sb|TTERLY
ILASHES Sv|R|N|A
]. ANT|-WET HEAD.
Ex-Governor Declares Rev.
David Hepburn b a Po-
Iltical Lobbyist.

hlChMONDs June zo.--Opch
warfare between Westmoreland
Davis, former governor and
United States Senatorial candi-
date, and The Rev. David Hep
burn, superintendent Of the Vir-
ginia Anti-Saloon League WAS
prec .pitated here today by the
publication Of letters between the
two abounding in character at
tacks and recriminations.
Clerical Kaisers."
, In communication dated june 4.
ut Chester Va, nr. Hepburn .ccuses
Davis. while governor. OF having en-
couraged iawIessness by seeking the
abolition OF the prohibition enforce
ment department OF the State gov
ernment. OF having pardonsd LIQUOR
outlaws, and OF having branded Wiz.
ginia clergymen as clerical kaisers-
Davis sent q heated reply 20 Or.
Hepburn from Leesburg on June IL.
describing the latter as "a menace
to government" political lobby
ist," rather than minister. and dc.
clartng that Hepburn's support for
any office to which he, Westmors.
land, aspired. would forfeit his claim
to the confidence of the public.
The writing OF this chapter In
controversy which has existed since
Davis held the gubernatorial chair,
1s1S.1922. was brought about by DR..
Hepburn's receipt of circular letter
from Davis campaign managers So
liciting his personai support ana 'n'
f,uence on behalf Of Davis can
didacy. ~ Y
You are altogether too brief
ment 10 be fair to yourself or your
constituents" DR.. Hepburn noted In
replying. He then charged that
Davis ''Pardoned liquor outlaws
that cost the taxpayers thousands
Of dollars TO convict that you
recommended, to the general ~.
sembly, the abolition OF the law, en-.
forcement department, and con-
adorable reduction In the appro-
priatior,, to the delight Of the law.
less element, and that you turned
over the complaints you received
concerning the lawlessnes
to the department which you had
helped to cripple and which was
unable to function properly for the
lack OF funds.
Reply Is Bitter. .I..
You address me as Rev. and
Dear Sir Evidently. Westmore.
land Davis. candidate for the United
States Senate. 10 more courteous In
his attitude toward the ministers
Of Virginia, than Mr.. Davis. while
governor OF Yhgipia who denounced
the ministers as s'Cierioai kaiserss
with such a record on paoh 4Disicn
ana the author Of such an unkind
and bitter attack upon the ministers
OF Virginia, Il would seem to require
considerable nerve. even for n poll
tician, to ask any OF them for sup
port or influence"
Davis maintaius in his answer that
his request for the transfer OF en-
forcement Of the prohibition law
from a special department 20 the
attorney general of the State met
with the approval Of DIR. Hepburn
and his organization. The proposed
bone-dry amendment to the State
constitution. he adds. failed because
the Anti-saloon League refused Its
support.
. Political Lobbyist"
1T seems that your name appears
upon a list OF ministers who were
circularized, the letter. goes on.
"Had these letters been personally
signed by me you would not have
received one. From my earliest days
I have held the cloth In deepest
reverence. but somehow I never as
sociate you In thought with that
great calling; to me you are po-
litical lobbyist and one who prof
iteers In prohibition.
while governor of Virginia / re-
garded you as a menace to good gov
ernment. for at critical period In
our history you attacked without
cause constituted authority, and as
lobbyist misused the influence Of
moral cause in the aid of the. pilotage
monopoly, the most :. .pernicious po-
litical influence in Virginia.
81 do not wish nor have ! ever de-
sired your support for any office.
for political association with you
would forfeit my claim to the conf,
dence Of the pubic, and would be
most dista steftrl Tn me- - = y