Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1892-11-30


was not discussed by the candidates,
and the decision at the polls cannot be
considered Us a conclusive test of the
popular will. Knowing, however,
that some legislation is likely to be had,
I feel called on to point out some of
the obstacles and difficulties in the
the way of enforcing law of this
character; and the probable cost of a
prohibition bill as indicating a neces-
sity for increased taxation on other
lines; rather, as matter of informa-
ton than as showing any antagonistic
views on my part.
"One of the most common among
modern sayings is that prohibition
does not prohibit, and experience as
we'll as observation teaches us that
certainly most Of the prohibitory leg
islation has resulted in partial or COM
plete failure to accomplish the end
sought, namely, the absolute preven-
tion of the selling and drinking of IL
ouor. Town after town in the State
has tried it, and, finding the adverse
sentiment so strong. and the evasion
of the law so common, they returned
in disgust to the license system. And
I it may as we'll be understood that no
law which may be passed on this sub
iect will enforce itself, or be allowed
to be carried into effect, without stren-
uous opposition and many cunning de-
vices being brought into play 10 evade
it. The trouble is, that when public
opinion does not generally sustain a
law, its enforcement becomes almost
impossible, and what is everybody's
business is nobody's business. Men
dislike to play the spy on their neigh
bors and incur the odium of lodging
information or taking out warrant.
When indictments are brought, juries
are divided, convictions are difficult or
impossible to obtain, and society, d.
vided against itself, finds such restric-
tive legislation very difficult of enforce
ment.
Gall classes, men and women alike,
feel, at times, the need of stimulants,
and many who are never guilty of ex-
cess in their use, resent any law in
fringing upon personal liberty. Then,
many who rarely indulge in intoxica-
ting liquor are strongly opposed to any
sumptuary legislation. Every think
ing and observing person sees and ac-
knowledges the evil, and, in some un-
defined way, wishes Ito see its abate-
ment. 1t is we'll understood and ac-
knowledged that liquor drinking is the
cause, directly or indirectly, of most
of the crimes committed in our coun-
try. 1t also produces much of the
poverty and misery among certain
classes; but the human family cannot
be legislated into morality any more
than it can be made honest and truth
full by legislative enactment. I can
readily conceive and believe that with
strict law, rigidly enforced, great
good would follow. can just as read
lily see that it will require stern hand,
with many eyes and far reaching
hands, to carry it into effect.
GAS an example of the difficulty of
controlling the selling and drinking of
liquor, I would call attention to the
impunity with which the existing laws
are disregarded. We have statute
which forbids under penalty the put
ting up of screens in barrooms and the
selling of whisky to minors, and there
is hardly barroom in the State which
obeys it. Our solicitors, our judges,
our juries, sworn officers of the law,
see and know these things, and yet
they do nothing. The trouble arises,
1 think, from" the fact that these are
officers of the State and county, while
liquor, under existing statutes, is sold
under license granted by municipal
corporations. The police connive at
and are blind to these infringements of
the law by the barkeepers, under in
structions, doubtless, from the authori-
ties, and the people generally become
educated and accustomed to seeing the
law despised.
"Another thing: The prohibition SEN
timent, as opposed by the wish to Ii
cense the sale of liquor, is found large
ly in the country-the liquor men liv-
ing in the towns. They make money
selling the liquor; the towns make
money the country suffers the coun-
try pays for it; the country has in
creased taxes for it; hence the divis-
ion. But with a majority of the peo-
pie in the towns in favor of selling
whisky, the prohibitionists in the coun-
try will find themselves handicapped
and their efforts rendered nugatory
in attempting to control the nuisance.
The people in this State are already
sadly divided along this very line of
town against country, and the wisdom
of further division is questionable.
Granting the possibility ofdoing some
thing towards abating the nuisance of
bar-rooms, I would call your attention
to the law now in force at Athens, Ga,
by which dispensary for the sale of
liquors is provided, and which, after
trial, is pronounced success by the
prohibitionist themselves, who, in de-
spair ut the failure of the prohibitory
laws, had it enacted by the Georgia
legislature. 1 would further direct
your attention to the following table,
showing the number of barrooms in
this State, the revenue derived from
them by the counties, and the revenue
for the towns: