The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1893-02-01
Representative Cox Replies to Rev.
T. II. Garrett.
BELToN, S. C., Jan. SO, lss

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Editors I7stelyigencer have read with
much interest the various communica-
tions in the pspers in the County and
State upon the Dispensary Law recently
passed by the Legislature, and various
have Leen the opinions as expressed by
the different writer's. Some have COM
mended and some have condemned the
law. / fully realize the right cf the peo-
pie to express their opinions, both pri-
vately and publicly, upon this or any
Act passed by tho Legislature, for the
legislators are the servants of the people,
and they have the right to criticise their
actions, but they should not he accorded
the right to misrepresent their acts or
impugn their motives.
AS member of that much-abused
body (the Legislature) came home
after the adjournment feeling that /
had done my duty, and had carried out
my pledge to my constituents in the mat
ter of prohibition, and l expected the
plaudit '.well done good and faithful
servant" But alas, alas how doomed
we are to disappointment! 1t brings to
my mind that passage of Scripture which
says, "Take heed lest when you think
you stand you fall"
Yes, I stosd it all very we'll until in the
last issue of your paper noticed an arti-
Gle headed 'The Liquor Traffic." and
signed by T. H. Garrett, in which he
gives the arrogant, self-important legis-
tors" some unasked-for advice. Listen,
legislators-yes, isten-to what he says !:
''My advice would be for you 70 Did Gov.
Tillman and the rest Of your political
friends down there adieu, and take good
look at the State House and all of its sur
roundings when you go back next Fall,
for never more will you behold them
through your Senatorial glasses, for the
days of your political career are num-
bered." Oh! how was shocked to hear
that I was dead. With an effort got up,
shook myself-yes, pinched myself, and
felt of my pulse to see if was really
dead; and the worst Of all was my fune-
raj had been preached. It makes man
feel awful sad and lonesome to see and
read his own obituary, together with so
maLy of his friends that he loves SO we'll.
But after the shock had partially passed
off, and I had time to reflect and think, I
came to the conclusion that perhaps a
mistake had been made in diagnosing the
case, and that after all we may not be
dead. Then. again, my mind went back
few years, and remembered that this
is the third funeral that has been preach
ed over the dead carcass of the farmers
movement Legislature. But it was all a
delusion-it was only little stupor, from
which the patient RECEIVERS and was more
strong, active and powerful than before,
and go it will be in this case.
Now, with all due respect tor Bro. Gar
rett and his feelings, would like to COM
pare my prohibition record with his.
Several years ago, when this subject was
agitated in this County, voted for pro-
kibition, and in the Legislature Of 1891
voted for the Child's prohibition bill. ]
was told at that time that it would be
my political death, but after prayerful
consideration / concluded that political
death was far preferable to me to the lack
of manhood to do what my conscience
told me was right. Was it death? No,
for my friends sustained me at the ballot
box and sent me back to Columbia with
instructions to vote for prohibition again.
Did I do it? Go to the records and see.
But this may be inconvenie3t to your
readers, 30 I will answer it here by say
ing that Mr.. L. D. Childs, the author of
the bill before the Legislature in 1891,
which was alluded to above, prepared
another which was introduced in the
House in the beginning of the last ses-