The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1885-12-08

Z -
of SO to SO, thu. dispensing Of this i'm
portant question for the present scs-
sion.
There was no other calendar work
done, and nothing else of any moment
occurred, save the introduction of a
number Of new bills and joint resolu-
tons, which went to the proper COM
mittees, and will come up on their merits
in due season. OF these new measures
only few arc of any general interest,
most Of them being local affairs.
1t was not far from O'Clock when
the House adjourned to meet Tuesday
at 10 O'Clock.
COLUMBIA, S. c., December l, 1885.
All matters we1c overshadowed yes
terday by the discussion of the Abbe-
vile prohibition bill. 1t was known
that the fight would begin early in the
day. and the friends and advcrsarics Of
the measure were present in full force.
The debate was one of the most inter-
esting heard on the floor Of the Ho,. !.
this session. 1t will probably be con-
tinued to-day. No test vote was taken
indicating the relative strength of the
two parties, so it will be hard. to pre-
dict what the outcome will be.
Mr.. Parker, Of Abbeville, called for
the special order ut 1890 O'Clock. This
was bill to provide for the submission
to the qualified electors of. Abbeville
connty,of the question. Of License or
"No LiconseHin ,he incorporated towns
and villages in said county at special
election.
Mr.. j. Ancrum Simons, of Charleston,
one Of the most pronounced anti prohi-
bitionists in the House, moved an
amendment so that the bill should in
cludc the county Of Oconee.
Mr.. Doyle, of Oconcc. moved to table
this amendment which was done in
most decided manner.
Mr.. Simons then suggested another
amendment, providing that the bill
shall apply to every county in the
State, and in suppoEting that proposi-
ton said that while we now have in
South Carolina good general law on
the subject yet if Abbcville was to he
granted the privilege asked for in this
bill. he did not see why tho other coun-
ties should not be granted the same
rights. He did not see tho justice of
singing out that one county. He
tho ught all the others ought to have the
same chance. Mr.. Simons' object in
urging these amendments was so appa-
rent that the House very promptly and
emphaticaliy tabled them.
Mr.. Kennedy, another vehement opo-
nent of prohibition, offered an amend
mendment providing that none of the
expenses incurred in said election shall
be borne by the towns or villages.
'My intention for making this PROPOSE
tion," said he, lis to require these tenn
pernnce people to pay the fiddler. If
they are anxious to hold this election
they should pay the expenses them.
selves"
Mr.. Parker: ut is apparent that
this bill is one Of too great importance
to be killed by fillibusterins tactics on
the part Of those who oppose it, and l
move to lay the amendment on the
table," Adopted.
ox,Io Al
ing words of the bill and in support of that
motion made an earnest speech Of consid .ra-
Bile length He said he was opposed to all
this class Legislation. 1t is wrong in princ-
pie and wrong in policy. In the county OF
which liquor was allowed to be sold-Abbe-
Vile, Hodges and Troy. But now no liquor
can be sold in Troy because the people of
that place desired the business to be st ,pped.
He was in favor of prohibition in Hodges be-
cause a large majority Of the residents are
opposed to whiskey. But in the town of Alb,
beville It is different. There large majority
are in favor df granting liquor licenses. The
town charter grants this privilege. The in
town is manifest when it is seen how the coun-
ty people can vote for the business to be
stopped in town, while great majority Of
its inhabitants may be in favor of granting.li-
cences. There is absolutely no neceSsity of
forcing q no-license law upon Abbeville:
Everything there runs along as smoothly and
quietly as 1t would be possible even under the
| most stringent prohibitory laws. We have
very strict laws in the town against drunken
ness, and punish offenders. One of the most
potent arguments is that prohibition don't
prohibit. Look at the towns of Greenwood
| and Ninety-Six. In these places they have
strict auti-liquor laws, but how are they en-
forced? In these places all the liquor one
wants can be got from the drug stores even
without physicians certificate. Experience
shows that wherever prohibition has been
tried n South Carolina it has proved . fail