The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1894-01-23
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Further sRespons sesstosfhe State BOARD
of t,ontrbl Charleston and Coium-
bia Reply. t1sa$ ~ NS$A&e
Answers are coming in toithe circu-
lar sent out by the State Board to the
various muicipal authorities through
out, the State inquiring what course
would be taken by these authorities as to
|-the enforcement of the dispensary law.
We insert this week the replies of the
mayors Of Charleston and Columbia.
lrThe following is the reply of Mayor
Ficken, ofsCharleston
CHARLESTON, Januory Is, 1891.
To the Hon. B. r. Tillman, Cover
nor; the Hon. w. Fl. Ellerbe, Comp.
troller General; the \ Hon. o. W..
Buchanan, Attorney General, State
Board of COntrol-Gentleme Your
communication asking our cooperation
and assistance in the enforcement of
that portion of the State law familiar
duly received and has been carefully
considered.
Our self-respect .compels us to state
that the inquiry made in the said COM
municatiOn is not only without pre-
cedent, buttthat it is highly objection
able, in that it. implies, in advance of
our action, " doubt as to our loyalty to
the laws OF the State which we have
solemnly sworn to obey. We cannot
suffer this imputation to pass without
rebuke. Whilst we make no prcten-
sions to infallibility, we do maintain
that we have been, and shall continue
to be, actuated by an earnest desire to
recognize and respect the law.
We are compelled further to take ex-
ception to the fact thatof the numerous
sections which compose the Act in
question your honorable board has seen
fit to quote in detail only that section
relating to the revenue which may
come to or be withheld from our NUM-
cipality: according, as in the Judgment
Of the board, our action in respect to
the dispensary law shall or shall not
be free from. .censure. This reference
to the matter of revenue in connection
with the interrogatOry propOunded is
| In the highest degree offensive to us,
as It must of necessity be to every self.
Respecting official. We yield to nc
one in dur allegiance to the laws OF
South Carolina. but TINT allegiance
| springs from far higher motive than
pecuniary gain or any like sordid con.
sideration. Our single aim is to en-
deavor rightly to understand our pub
lie duties and to. discharge them with.
out fear, or affection, regardless of all
personal or selfish considerations.
"a Jealous regard for the dignity oi
our Office requires this protest at oul
hands, but as the communication OF
your honorable board is an official one
which deeply concerns the public in.
terests, it is entitled to and shall re-
ceive u courteous reply.
In response to the inquiry made We
beg to state that the police force o
| Charleston will be directed to dis
charge the duties imposed upon then
by the dispensary law. The member,
OF this force are cOnservators of the
peace, and it is their boundcn duty tt
maintain, uphold and obey each anL
every part of the statute law of South
| Carolina. Respectfully yours.
| JOHN f. FICKEN. Mayor,
The following is the reply of Mayor
Fisher to The recent COMMUNICATION o.
the county board of control
COLUMBIA S. c.. Jan. II, 1904.
The. County Board Of Control Rich
land County, 8. c.:
Gentlemen: i am in receipt OF yOur
communication of tho llth instant
and. In reply thereto, beg leave to say
( that our police force has been furnish
ed with the amended dispensary law
and will be required to enforce this
and all other laws OF the State and
city, and pfeserve the peace and dig
nifty OF the Stale az well as that of the
city, as far as 1t Ia la iis power.
Very respectfully,
! w. @. FIsHER, Mayor.