St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1894-04-07
THE WHISKY WAR IN SOUTH
CAROLINA.

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CAROLINA.
A very serious state Of things
exists in South Carolina over the
whisky law of that State.
First, it must pc promised that
the Governor of South Carolina was
elected by the Farmers organiza-
ton, . sort Of populist Democracy.
which now dominates the State.
This party is strong in all the coun-
try districts. Its main opposition
is in the principal towns and cities.
Among the measures adopted by
the Farmers Legislature was the
law regulating the sale Of intoxicat-
ing liquors. This law gives the
State Government q monopoly Of
the traffic in liquors, which are sold
in sealed packages from State stores
or dispensaries, and are not to be
drank on the premises. No private
parties are allowed to sell spirits,
and there are no longer any bar
rooms. There is no difficulty in
purchasing liquors. because the
State is required to keep them on
hand and for sale in every town
and county.
This law was practically desired
by the country people, because it
shuts up the GROCERIES which were
haunted by the negroes, and this is
an important consideration in .
State where the negro population
argely outnumbers the whites.
The conditions before the enact
ment Of this law were much the
same As those prevailing in the
country districts Of Louisiana when
the Sunday law was enacted. The
plantation negroes would assemble
on Sundays at the country stores
where liquor was sold, and, under
the influence of excessive drink,
were accustomed to commit violent
disorders and perpe:rate the most
serious crimes. The Sunday clos
ing Of such places has contributed
enormously to the preservation Of
order and the protection Of the peo-
pie.
But in the towns and cities OF
South Carolina it has been found
impossible to enforce the liquor law,
Is it has been found impossible to
enforce the Sunday law in the towns
and cities Of Louisiana. But in the
former State the Governor is maxi
ing the most strenuous efforts to ex-
ecute the law, and he has at his
command . State constabulary
with power to act in any part Of
the common wealth.
Already there have been serious
disputes between the Governors
whisky force and the local officials
Of cities over the enforcement of the
law, which is opposed by a large
body Of people and press Of the
cities. The trouble that has been
growing for some time eliminated
1t the town of Darlington, where
he State constables went last week
70 raid the private establishments
where liquor was sold. It is
claimed that some Of the places to
,e examined were houses of evil
:epute but, be this as it may, q
public meeting was held by citizens,
Who resolved that they would pro-
ect themselves FROM domiciliary
lists.
When the State officials attempt
d to perform their functions they
we're fired on by the citizens, and
everal people were killed and
,thers wounded in the fight which
The governor then
allied out the State troops at OAR
ington, but they disbanded and re-
used to obey the call. All the or
,anized troops are in the cities,
nd, 80 far as heard from, when
allied out by the Governor, they
efused compliance.
There is, rs it appears, general
ebellion against the State Govern
nent, and particularly against the
tate liquor law, and the people Of
he cities, at least, seem determined
D defy the statute and buy and
ell liquor at their individual will
nd pleasure.
Governor Tillman is helpless to
nforce the law on account of the
evolt Of the troops, but he is .
rave, determined man, and is not
kelly to serrender the State II he
an make any resistance.-Pica-
une. Il
The River and Harbor bill has
cen completed. The sum Of $1,000