The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1885-02-12
Maj. Moore on Prohibition.


To the Citizens Of anderson County:
your Senator have been asked by
the INTELLrGENCER and Mr. "Prep,"
Two OF my constituents, TO give to the
public statement of my position on the
bill to submit to the people OF the County
thc question Of License or no License in
the City of Anderson, and my views on
that subject. In answer 1 have to say (:
First. That I fully recognize the right
of citizens TO petition for whatever they
may think promotive Of the general
good, and when so pettioning, their re-.
quest should be carefully considered by
their Representatives.
Second. In regard to the particular
bill referred to, have tc say that had
but little to do with it. ! was not en-.
trusted by petitioners with their petition,
and knew nothing of it till late in the
session-too late, in fact, to legislate in
reference to it, owing to the crowded con.
dition of the calendars of both Houses.
II was, as remember, on the 9th day of
December that was first spoken to in
regard to the bill, Mr.. Scuddny asking
me to introduce il in tho Senate. I a.,
once agreed to do 80, anu took the bill and
petition for that purpose, reserving the
right to vote for or against tho bill when
had examined it; but just then remem-
bcring that the Senate had passed res.
olution prohibiting Senator'S from intro.
ducing bills for the remainder of the ses.
sion, l 80 Informed Mr.. Scudday, but
further told him that standing commit
tees could introduce bills under the res
oution; that such n bill would be re
ferred to the Judiciary Committee of the
senate; that | was n member of that
Committee, and that would ask the
members thereof as special favor to
myself to consider the bill to grant the
members of the House hearing on it,
aud If they thought fit, to report it to the
Senate for consideration. Soon after
this interview the Committee met, and
succeeded in having the bill considered
by them before taking up the regular
business. The members of the House
were at once notified of this action of the
Committee, and requested to appear and
make such statements as they might
wish. Messrs. Watson and Rucker did
appear before the Committee. Messrs.
Scudday and Clinkscales did not. When
Watson and Rucker had made their
statements and retired, was asked nv
views on the bill. thanked the Com
mittee for the consideration of the bill,
for the hearing of the members, and
continued by saying, you know my posi-.
tion on this subject; that think II un.
wise to Interfere with the local option
law--that no good could, in my judgment,
result from it-that no disturbing causes
existed in my County, aud had not since
76-that feared that our unity would
be hazarded BY such law-that knew
nothing of the petition, having had no
opportunity Of examining it, but knew
that good men Of my County were inter-
ested in the matter Of the petition, and
he'd no doubt they hsa s;5ned it--that
while I, as an individual, thought. the
legislation asked for unwise, I had no
objection to the sending up Of the bill
for tue consideration Of the Senate.
The Committee refused to send up the
bill for these reasons, IL I remember cor.
recsly, ! Because esame bill pending in the
House. 2. Bill could not be passed for
want Of time. 8. Printing Of bill for
use Of the Senate would, under the cir.
cumstances, be useless expenditure of
money. These reasons, or como Of them,
were endorsed upon the bill. and 1t re-
turned to tho members Of the House.
This. Is complete statement Of my
doings iu regard to the bill in question.
Third. Az to my views on the aubiect,
have to say go man entertaius greater
respect for the cause Of temperance than
| do. It Is the cause of morality and
religion, but I doubt the expedienoy and
propriety Of the legislation asked for.
It would introduce the cause of temper.
ance in:o politics. and, In my humble
would divide the white people
aho are agreed Upon Ill. nihsT political
questions; and in that event 1t. is not
iiAicu!t to perceive that the coiored mdn
would hold the balauce Of f:power--that |
n the zeal Of ;contending parties be
would bs courted by both, and that he |
you'd ultimately have the decision Of |
be question. II the LEGISLATION asked
or would divide the County In the man.
Ter indicated, why would Il not extend |
tself to every other County iD the State 2 |
the reapect have for
and those interested In the
auSe, ] think il "a destined to become
'olitical question Il the policy Of its ad.
COATES 10 carried ont, md + believe will
% productive Of results not anticipated
= desired by the friends Of tho cause.
4 JOHN B.s AEoonE.
The Abbevlile Htsss and Banner, says
il seems 10 .ue as Ii The "a nderson Leg.