The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1893-02-16
STRANGE yDEAS

1t is very strange how many different
and varied opinions there are upon the dis
pcnsary law. There is no doubt but that
the law was rushed through the Legislature
under the administration whip and that it
IS one of Governor Tillman's pet measures.
Yet there are many men who were and arc
among Governor Tiilman's warmcst sup
portcrs who are bitterly opposed to the dis
pcnsaTy, and there are others who enter
tain differcnt opinions and think the law
good one. The strangcst thing abou, the
whole matter is that prohib tionists are in
favor the law, while liquor men are agalns,
it. AS fair sample of the varied opinions
on the law the uttcranccs of Anderson coun-
tvs Representatives might be referred to.
In the mass meeting at Anderson on sale
day about one hundred men were present
and the dispcnsary law was discussed by
the Representatives. Representative Bre-
Zcalc endorsed the law but had serious ob.
jectionstoit. lie admitted thatthc law was
Illegal by being rushed through the House
without proper consideration.
Senator Glenn gave brilliant idea and a
magnificent excuse for being in favor of the
law. He said "thc molc Williams and
Gonzales and others talked against the
Evans law the more he was convinced il
was right. This beats anything VIC have
ever heard given as n reason for the Evans
law being "ail right" Representative Pear
man, whom we suppose to be farmer,
argued the constitutionality of the law.
Representative Josh Ashley, the ideal,
typical rrformcr,, seems to have been the
only one who created any enthusiasm. He
said he voted against tho Evans law he
! cause he did not believe it was what the
people wanted, and he was right. The
best way and only sure way to obtain the
will of the people on anything, isl submit
the matter to Il vote. This was done last
year and large majority of the wl,,c pco-
PIE OF this State said they wanted prohibi-
ton. Did they get it2 Further rcmnrkinl,
on this subject, the Intcligcnccr rcports
Representative Ashley as follows:
lie hat'votcd for the Blcasc and Perry
bilis both of which were real prohibition
bills. lie thought it was wrong for the
"
clnor as boss of the business. lie had
| fought for reduction Of salaries but his
colleagues wouldn't help him. He had re-
ccivcd SlN' Tor his thirty days work and
| had saved &l6O of it. That was too much.
and thought 500 wGs ci ough, but all the
| members didn't vote aS they had preached
ON tho stump. He "votcd furrcform every
tune he could get atssit," but he, and every
body else who went there for the first time,
was So gr' eli that he couldn't TO anvthinr. =
The speaker, pointing at the chairman,
". Z. l.a,imcr said, "You all needn't
! expect anything from him when he goes tO
Congress, for he will he glccn too" The
croWd had good laugh at the chairman
Inc speakers remarks CUntninCd much
good sense and several tines he was ap
Nlaudcd and chccrcd
Representative Watson favored thc law
but had always been prohibilionist. III,
thought prohibition was impossible.
This meeting was a remarkable one il
several respects. 1t is the first time W,
ever heard of mass meeting Of citizens be
ing caiIcd Tor the purpose OF signifyin
their Willingness to obey laws which hat
r been made. This is a gag law with a ven
gcancc. The Representatives. of the pro
pie made laws which they knew the peopl
did not want and had not voted for. We
they try to get up a big hurrah and whou,
to make them say its all right The few
who attended, proves to their Representa-
tlvcs That the majority Of the good people
OF Anderson arc not IN favor of the new
law and arc tired Of being rushed into &C.
ccptinS thing IA all right because a few
leading mcn say so. The people have got
tired Of bluffs and bull,lozing. They arc
thinking and acting for themselves. They
have about found out that "Rcform" is
myth and the faithful promises Il flat fail
ure. No wonder they have reached this
conclusion when they have been SO thor
oughly deceived.