The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-12-05


J. W. Lancaster It was locked Up in the ,ail
yard. 4 deputy United States; .Ilarsnal u col
luSion with an ex-constablc who owned the
Liquor broke into the house with al axe IN the
day tine. the jailor looking on and tie sGerl1
knowing it. ana carried it off. The marshal had
no right to seixe it after it was in the posses.
sion OF the states officer. and SO instructed
the sheriff by wire, but he did nothing. In2t
night the marshal pretendS some one stole the
whislley. OF course this is all q nade-up story:
bnt even if it was true he has been guilty OF
serious ofense: and the sheriff is guilty OF a
more serious one in allowing him to seize tne
LIQUOR when held by him as an othcer. he
ought not to have received it from the consta-
BILE but having done SO, 1t was as much MS duty
to hold it as it is to hold prisoner lodged IN
jail. Had the Uunited States marshal attempt-
ed to take q prisoner from him oy breaking
into the Jail, it is probable he would have ar
rested him. But he let the whiskey be taken,
and now cannot get him or Solicitor Belhnger
to press the case before the grand jury, OF
prosecute the men who boldly look IL away
from him.
Again. A constable was beaten by mob OF
negroes in the streets at Spartanburg at the
instigation Of liquor dealers and 1t IS SAID with
the encouragement Of one OF the aldermen;
Chief Constable F'ant worked up evidence and
appeared with his witnesses. Here is what he
saws Of the way in which Solicitor Schumpert
treated him and managed the case:
Governor 3. r. Tillman, Columbia, S.C-slr:
A week OF two after Constable Davis was mob
bed in the streets Of Spartanburg by white and
coiored men secured written statements from
about fifteen or twenty witnesses. Tnese state
ments were left in the hands OF Trial Justice
Kirby to be presented TO the court, Wnen tue
case came to trial
went to Spartanburg as the prosecutor IN
the case. ald when saw that Solicitor Schum-
pert did not have over four or i've witnesses
sworn to go before the grand jury, went to
Of what would be sworn to in court WITH
these statements went to the sol1c1tor ana
asked him to have the witnesses VINO had mace
these statements go before the grand jury he
replied in q Aery angry tone that he could man
age the case without my assistance. NOT ne-
ing satisfied with this treatment. visited the
Office Of the Hon. Sanyarne Wilson and saw
Mr.. B. Bishop. and told him Of my inteVleW
with Solicitor Schumpert. He promised to see
the solicitor and have the witnesses summon
ed. he told me that the solicitor refused 70
have the witnesses sworn, and treated MN 10
rough manner. Finding that could not De
used as a prosecuting witness, returned to
Anderson.
Out Of the whole praty arrested only three
true bills were found. and these were not TIE
ringleaders. Respectfully submitted;
It is at all likely that such an officer will ever
convict any Of the cases made by the constaoeI
at such heavy expense: Yet this sencitoa
obtained verdict OF murder against Bladona
constable, who went with a warrelt to arrest a
notorious colored liquor rough.
1T IS impossible for any right-thlnk1ng man
to see in this any crime other than manslaugn,
ter; and any bul a corrupted or crazy jury womd
have acquitted Bladon without leaving their
seats Partisan spirit has run very high. AID
mems minds have been clorded with passion So
that they have not been able to see and judge
clearly. But It is q necessity that all branches
OF the executive department should work ID
harmony and to agiyen end. II the solicitors
and sherihs are to aid and abet those wno DEFY
the dispensary law, it is farce to employ con.
stables to work up evidence. Give the governor
49, Q14~ 4Nr narV1ao
refusal to discharge their duty, and the danger
OF conflict and bloodshed will be far less, while
wrong -doers will be less inclined to run tie
risks they now take with lmpun1ty- We nave
entered on the work and the law Is good ooe-
the best ever devised for the control OF t5e
whiskcy evil. Strengthen the executive s hands
and then hold him responsible 1t Is not en-
forced"
It will be necessary to legislate in the matter
Of controlling the manufa OF wh1skey. The
stills in the state, registered and unregistered
have in many instances been reported as selling
lheir product by peddltng and otherwise. Sey.
eral Of the dtstillers are. under Indictment un.
der the nuisance clause OF the act. But here a
complication arose. Tney have their liquor
stored in government warehouses. and the
attorney-general OF the United States has de-
cided that the state could not seize 1t. Hence
tho dstiller Is fortified against loss OF his prod
uct. It Is the conhiscation OF the liquor, and
the loss thus entatled, that has driven most
men out Of the business. Convictions have not
been secured in many cases. see no way to
stop the sale by distillers except to make It Q
felony to run still in this state without h
cenSe.
Dispensary as Business.
viii next give figures showing the workings
of the state dispensary since its establishment.
I can only find space 7os ortef abstract A
full report, covering every detail. Is being pre-
pared, and will be laid on the.desks Of members
very soon. The special committee appointed
to investigate the books and accounts finished
it's laborS early last Monday.