Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1877-12-20
Traffic In Liquors.

Weagree with our correspondent, "Oconcc,"
that the unlicensed traffic in liquors is great
evil in our county and ono which should bc
suppressed, but we do not agree with his
osure on tho officers of the United States
.ailing to this. Tho duties of United
ties Commissioners and Marshals. as to
tions of the internal revenue laws, are
lly tho samo rs tho dnties Of Trial
and Constablos. as to violations Of the
Ssagainst retailing liquor without n
If the Commissioner or Trial Justice
sc, on affidavit made, to grant Il
ainst person violating the laws
ygIUHiculnr, then ho would be ccnsura-
Il AAtho Marshal or Constable should
rcfusc to execute such warrant
in his hands, he would be subject
ccnsure. While this is true, to require
--ese officers to become detectives, to lay by
tho roadside by day aud night, and to nose out
and track up violatcrs of tho law, is to ro-
quire something moro than their duty, and
something which public opinion would con-
demn. The full and efficient enforcement of
the laws against traffic in liquor depends on
the community at largo. While they connivc
1t the traffic, or patronizc tho trafkckcrs, or
fuse to inform against persons violating tho
thoy arc responsible equally, or more so,
mmtho officials. If no one cognizant Of tho
-" uld inform against murderer or rogue
pav, crimes might be committed with
G;Jnd and our county be full Of officers.
90 touo or other officer would lay himself
aino oom arrested citizens promiscuously
Z uucauso, rOrsooth, person or persons had
!: been killed or property mad been stolon. In
like manner if Trial Justices should issue
warrants upoE suspicion without affidavit
they would be liable. Tho proper enforce
!. mont of nll criminal laws rests with the COM
y imunity, and if our correspondent can show q
case whcro these officials have refused
warrant upon proper affidavit, then wc will
join HIN in his hue and cry against officials.
We need no soldiers nor change Of officers,
but SIMPLY mon to take the initiative stop to
top this traffic Itis an evil and both the
e az United States laws punish tho
dis,ov, lerely. We desire farther to point
horses ,ondent and the public at large to
gladly It tho unlicensed traffic in liquor is
quer aeanor under the State laws, subject.
startoftecder to q Gno Of not less than
ued tmorc than two hundred dollars or to
Just,Nment for not less than one month nor
lie nan six months, or both. The punish.
sspyis perhaps moro effcctual under the State
,>..<an tho United States laws tho disposition of
the cbVrin tho latter caee bong to disregard
slight violations Of tho law Trial Justices
are to beOund in all the townships, md any
citizen hs right to swear out warrant
opninst i'll persons sellinr linuor without
{ licensc. Tho OWL is great truly, but the
remedy easy of attainment to all and
effectual Complaining will not cure it, but a
determu'ion by the people to put it down,
and thePmpt prosecution Of all offenders
will sooipcomplish it, Wo prefer the State
laws totnother reason, that the trial and
Furnishes is had in tho county and has q
better hsacncc to deter others from tho
crime.