The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1893-07-18
GEN. HAMPToN's VIEWS.

hon. j. J.. M. Irby, United States
Senator, Laurens, S. G.
|
GEN. HAnIPToN's VIEWS.
He Believes the Dispensary Law I'm.
constitutional and Predicts Its Over.
| throw.
The Washington Post publishes the
following interview:
Gen. Wade Hampton, OF South Caro-
lima, commissioner of railways, has re-
turned to the capital after q tour OF
10000 miles. Considering his advanced
age he has stood the trip remarkably
well. He is slightly fatigued, but
otherwise none the worse for it.
went out over the Union Pacific, "
he said to reporter, returned by
way of the Northern Pacific. Both OF
these roads l found in excellent physi-
proving, and despite the immense
stretches of territory which they cover
are kept as sound as nut. l should
Judge that they are prosperous, and
when the transportation of the pro-
ducts of the West and Northwest be-
gins will, of course, do much more
business than is transacted ut present.
They are in so good state that shall
be in no hurry to make my report, as
there is nothing in their condition to
call for special comment. Probably
the report will not be handed in before
December"
When asked for an opinion regard
ing the State liquor dispensary law
with which South Carolina is at pres
ent wrestling in travail and agony of
spirit, the General grew emphatic.
He raised himself from the bed upon
which he was lying and brought down
his hand with O thump upon the cover
lid:
"It is an outrage" he said, "and
has already done the State harm
that will require months to repair.
The law is the product of lot of peo-
pie who are dissatisfied with the exist
ing condition of things and do not
know exactly what they want. All
that they do know is that they want
something not in sight.
"The statute is plainly upconstitu-
tional and will be so decided. Then
what is to become of the States reve-
nues, that are absolutely necessary to
the conduct of its business? The law
will hurt us not only in dollars and
cents, but in reputation as we'll. A
commonwealth that has occupied q
place in the front rank of the American
sisterhood has been degraded to the
position of q bar-keeper. There is no
morality in 1t, nor reason nor anything
except demagogy and desire for
gain that will not be realized. The
men who are at present in control of
affairs are able to do much to injure
South Carolina, and the dispensary
law is an earnest of their power. 1 do
not know that anything has happened
in the State since the days of recon-
struction that l have more sincerely re-
| gretted.
"The people of South Carolina are
good people. They are well-meaning,
Industrious, patriotic and proud of
their State. They are, however, like
other people in that they are capable
of being led astray. When craze
seizes upon a community it takes some
| time to pass. South Carolina will come
around all right, but it will be q bitter
| and costly lesson. The embarkation Of
sie State in the liquor selling business
Iis one of the fruits of the Ocala plat
| form which met with warm welcome
in South CarOliua. In the matter of
Capitalization the old Federal party
/ was nothing to the doctrines of this
latter day school.
81 believe the law to be unconstitu-
| tional, because it takes q business from
the hands of the individual and usurps
| to itself a monopoly. AS we'll might it
arrogate the sole production of tobac-
| co, or rice, or corn, or cane, or cotton.
The money which will be lost when the
scheme is exploded is the least serious
feature in the matter, however. 1t Is
the malodorous reputation of it that
will cling to us for years to come that
hurts most.
"To South Carolinians who have
lived long there, who have watched
with pride the eXtrication of the State
from slough of despond in which it was
left by the civil war and who have
aided, so far as they could, its upward
progress, the present situation is pc
culiarly irritating.
! "We feel kind of personal shame
as though opprobium had been cast
upon us singly. 1t is very sorry re-
| turn for years of 'unselfsh labor. We
hope for the best, however. The men
who have foisted the farce known as
the dispensary law upon us cannot
remain in power forever. In the mean
| time the citizens who have the good OF
South Carolina at heart are fighting IL
with every legitimate means within
their power. / am rejoiced to see the
the honest and intelligent judiciary
are with them. L Ibelieve that in a lit
tie while the State as q barrOom will
be only an unsavory memory"
hs@---
DEATH OF BISHOP GREGG. "A tele'
| H.,