The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-06-06
TILLMAN ON DISPENSARY.
He Explains the State Agency Plan
TO PrOhibitionists.

Prohibition Park, Staten Island, June A.
Governor Tillman Of South Carolina presen-
ted his State agency plan for the solution Or
the liquor question 10 an audience OF 1000
prohibitionists at this evenings session of
the International Temperance Congress-. The
Governors hearers did not agree with him as
to the plan, but they listened close to the end
applaud without doing violence TO their con-
sciences. At other times they loudly <
pressed their disapproval.
Before the arrival Of Governor Tillman,
Col. Alexander s. Bacon of Brooklyn made
point the electric lights went out and the au-
ditorium was In darkness. A score OF Ian
terms were brought In and the guest from
South Carolina was led forward in semi,dark-
ness. He was introduced by the Rev. DR.. 81.
L. Wayland Of Philadelphia. Governor TIL
man began by saying that he wished that
there were more light 30 that he could iook
him In the eye, and tell whether he was tell
ing the truth.
Continuing, he said: 81 have come long
way and left my official duties in the inter-
est of truth and the right. I have heard a
great deal at the sessions have attended OF
sand and backbone II has been said that
possess those qualities. l will say that /
will show that am willing TO advance my
convictions in any audience, and am going
to controvert your dearest ideas and firmest
beliefs. am probably the only politician
present. have been elected Governor CT q
State and am candidate for the United
States Senate and expect 10 be elected"
The Governor then went on to say that he
was not exactly politician In the ordinary
acceptance OF the term. He said that he al
ways spoke his convictions and that was vas, not
was farmer, that bis gubernatorial position
was his first Office. He announced that he
proposed TO have his say and II any one in the
drawing himself 10 his full height, he said
In tones that made the rafters ring:
II am to night TO tell you that prohibition
don't prohibit, and never Will prohibit. We
have got plan In South Carolina that COM
pleteiy wipes out saloons, and we have done
more than you have.
Now, am temperance man. (Applause.i
1 never drank five gallons Of whiskey all told
social glass with my friends, but don't like
the stuff"
The Governor then produced bottle Of
whiskey with the South Carolina label on IT..
the total abstainers. and described the State
Dispensary plan. He said that prior to the
decision by the Supreme Court OF the State
there were sixty-six dispensarles In operation,
d the st state Sssp haa paid and os5 er aDss sa1r an
other expenses From the total outlay OF
s475,oO and with $4,000 worth OF liquor on
hand, S587 900 worth had been sold, and a net
profit of 100000 to the State and SSI 0OU to the
counties had been realized. He said that the
quality OF whiskey was chemically pure, so
that the people would not have headache II
they got drunk on II. He said moment
later that no one got drunk on dispensary
whiskey; they got drunk on blind tiger whs.
key. which he said they hid In holes In the
ground or "toted" In their boot legs.
He stirred up the audience by declaring
that prohibition would never be established
by votes,
"Give us a chance" said a man In front.
This brought volley of applause:
When the Governor shouted: "You are not
ready to remove the government tax on whis.
key" "Yes we are" came from all parts OF
the hall.
"Then you are binder than thought you
were," said the Governor.
A moment later he alluded TO prohibition
narrow-mindedness" and complained that
the audience would only 90 half way with
him. Then he said: "Gsfore you are dozen
years older, you will see hNlf the States In the
Union following the example Of South Caro-.
lima"
"Never," shouted q woman delegate.
"If you can't get prohi bition will you take
the dispensary9" asked the Governor.
There we're hundred noes and one man In
the back Of the hall said yes.
"That is encouraging" said the Governor.
He said that In all the country OF South Caro-
lima. and nearly all the towns, public senti.
ment Is In favor OF the dlspensary law, and II
will be carried out eventually.
He went on: $50 far as backbone is con-
cerned, I have as much as any other man, but
when you tackle the liquor trade entrenched
behind its hundreds OF millions, you need To
have the back bone OF the statue of Liberty
The Governor left for the South after the
meeting adjourned, at 9.45 p. M.