The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1893-08-08
CHARLESTON LIQUOR.
A Barrel OF Whiskey Arrested and
Sent TO Jail-A New Phase of the
Pending Question.

Pending Question.
The News and Courier gives the fol
| lowing account of an unusual seizure
under the dispeasary law:
An impetus was given to the now
somewhat tagging interest in the
Evans law yesterday by the seizure ol
barrel of corn whiskey which has
been in the South Carolina Railways
ware house for some time.
For some time Constable Swami, who
has been in the city since the 1st OF
July, has been paying frequent visits
to the freight office. 1t was presumed
that he was on the outlook for contra
band goods, and 1t is more than proba-
BILE that the officials would have will
ingly told him of the existence of this
barrel except that it seemed so obvi-
GUS to them that it did not come with
in the provisions of the Evans law.
However that may be Constable Swami
asked no questions, but in his frequent
visits continued to keep an eye open
for whiskey. Yesterday morning he
observed the barrel of corn whiskey,
and Immediately started to levy upon
1T. The officials of the road objected
on the ground that under no circum-
stances could he take the barrel with
out having more authority than he
had with him. Constable Swami went
off, but came back after awhile and
again demanded the barrel. He show
ed his constable's badge, and said he
had q telegram authorizing him to
take it. When asked to show this.
however, he declined.
The freight department of the road,
after making him give receipt for
the barrel, made no resistance to
his seizing it. He had it put on a dray
and taken down to the Sheriff's Office.
From there it was carried over to the
jail and deposited for safe keeping.
The legal complications which will
arise out of the action of Constable
Swami will probably be of a serious ma
ture, for this case is essentially differ
ent from any other that has yet arisen.
This particular barrel of whiskey has
a rather peculiar history, and one
which will be of great Importance
when the matter gets into Court. O 1t
was shipped from Statesville, North
Carolina, Diamond b." to parties in
this city. A requisition was made for
the bill Of lading subsequently. 1t was
ware house. On the bill of lading the
name of the consignee appeared as
Mr.. Bidewinkle." This was thought
to be a mistake, and some com plica-
tions followed, and resulted in the IL
quor never having been delivered.
In cases of this kind, after some time
has elapsed, the goods are very often
sent back by the railroad to the original
shipper, and this would have been the
case in this instance had not Consta-
BILE Swami taken charge of it.
The questions which arise are Sc
rious ones. The goods may not only
be considered as in transit,
but they were moreover in the custody
of a railroad which is in the hands Of
the United States Court Neither the
railroad nor - attorney has signified
what action they propose to take in
the matter, bat there is little question
that proceedings will be begun against
Mr.. Swami. 1t is suggested that very
much the same principles are involved
as were considered in the case against
the county sheriffs-the seizure of
property in the hands of the United
States Court. In the case of the
sheriffs this action was decided to be
and the sherlffs. were fined
accordingly.