The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1881-08-31
THE PROHIBITION MOVEMENT.
The Views OF Some of Our Citizens on
the Question.

Lie oQtSLIOis
Recognizing the great Importance oi
the prohibition movement, and the in
tcrest felt by the public in the question,
we have called upon several of our citl-
zens for their views, and these we give
below. The first person interviewed
was Mr.. f. P. Chalmers, the Clerk Of
i Court.
Mr.. Chalmers said: l don't believe
! the present Legislature should take any
action in the matter: It would be extra
ordinary legislation, and this Legisla-
ture was not elected with this object in
view. Don't believe the movement
can succeed. If the Legislature pass
such a law, whether it refer the mat
ter back to the people or not, it will
come up as an issue in the election OF
1882; it will result in a division Of the
whites into two factions-the prohibi-
tionists and the anti-prohibitionists-
the anti-prohitionist faction will unite
with the negroes, who will be almost
unanimous against the law; they will
select r,en pledged against prohibition,
and will elect them too. The conse-
quencc would be Legislature scarcely
superior to those of Chamberlain's ad-
ministration. I am temperance man,
and would like to see every other man
temperate.
MIR. Wallace A. Cline said: Would
favor the stopping of the liquor traffic
in this State did think it possible; do
not believe it possible now. and the at
tempt would resnlt in divisions and dis
sensions among our people. and lead to
great harm. My opinion is. the prohi-
bition movement ought to be dropped
at once.
Sheriff D. B. Wheeler said: There is
no doubt that excessive drinking is
great evil; but the remedy for it is al
together another question. Would like
to see prohibitory law in this State;
but l have very serious doubts whether
the effort 10 get one would succeed; and
if it did not succeed it might lead to
harm. If left to the voters it would be
voted down. Think majority Of the
white voters would favor it; but the
negroes would vote almost solidly
against it, and considerable portion Of
the whites would vote the same way.
Should the Legislature act upon the
question it would become an issue in
politics in 1882, whether it be referred
to the people or not. Am not prepared
to say whether the movement should be
dropped: have not made up my mind
fully on the subject; if I were in the
Legislature / would not know what to
do in the matter.
Mr.. James Packer said: I signed the
petition in hopes that it would be sue
cess. Unless it results successfully it
had better not be agitated. A prohibit
ory law would be great benefit. Am
in favor Of the present Legislature pass
ing such law; recognize their right
to pass this or any other law that it be-
lieves to be for the benefit of the people.
Do not think the Legislature should re-
fer the question back to the people for
a vote, rs it did in North Carolina. Be-
lieve if the law be passed it will be an
issue in 1882. and would probably Gre
ate divisions among the Democrats;
think candidates would be nominated
to repeal the law, but do not believe
they could be elected; because the op-
GRAFTON of the law from the date of its
passage to the time of election would
so satisfy the people of its benefits that
a majority would be for it.
Being reminded that the bar-rooms
would have licenses which would not
expire for several months or probably
a year, Mr.. Packer said, he thought the
Legislature had right to close all bar
rooms at once, license or no license,
provided it would refund the money
paid for the licenses.
Mr.. Jacob B. Fellers, Judge of Pro-
bate, said: If prohibition be left to the
people it will be voted down. Ifadop-
ted without referring it to the people
those opposed to the law would unite 10
reverse it at the next election. Can't
foresee the result; but think it would be
repealed. Think a majority Of the
whites are in favor of prohibition. The
blacks, however, are almost unanimous
against it. Think if the effort be made
10 secure State prohibitory law it will
become an issue in our elections-it
cannot be prevented-and it will split
up the white vote to considerable ex-
tent. Would like to nave State pro-
hibitory law, but am afraid it is not
practicable.
Mr.. Andrew J. Kilgore said: am n
prohibitionist; but I fear the results
of the prohibition movement at this
time. Think it almost certain, since
seeing the result in North Carolina,
that it would lead to trouble; it
would become an issue in our elec-
ton in 1882. My opinion, to which
I have very reluctantly come, is