The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1894-05-16
Governor Tillman Talks.
HE SAYS HK HAS NO AUTHORITY TO EN-
FORCE THE NEW Law.

FORCE THE NEW Law.
Shortly after the decision was filed {
copy Of it was taken to Governor Till
man, and he was asked point blanl
what he had to say about the change II
the situation and the enforcement o
the new law. The Governor said: 81
am glad that we know what the law 4
at last, and will be able to stop all tnii
fioundering about In the sea Of uncer
tainty. I am only sorry that they die
not leave me the constabulary to helr
enforce It,"
"Well, what will you do to enforc,
this law was asked.
The Governor replied: What ma
chinery have got to do anything with
The shsffns and police are under othel
officers. They are not under my con.
troll. 1 can only lend my moral support
to the law and what "of1cial support
may have, but I wish you would tel
me- what authority I've got. Iof course
want to see this law enforced just az
much as any other law"
"Governor isn't your proclamation
taking control Of the police Of the town.
and cities of force yet.
"Myproclsmation" said the Governor
"was only Of force until the dispensary
law was declared Of That law being
no longer law, have no longer power
to enforce it."
"But you could reissue that procla.
nation now and make use Of 1t to en-.
force the prohibition law, couldn't you
"How could I do thatf The necessity
does not now exist for issuing the
proclamation"
"Well suppose the municipal authori-
ties find they cannot enforce the law,
what thena
"You are taking for granted that they
cannot"
"Yes, I am"
The Governor then said "Well, we
had better wait and see before we I'M
dertake to discuss localities. I'm not
discussing emergencies that might arise
six months hence. I never undertake
to cross a bridge until get to 1t: I
have no machinery to enforce this law.
Before had machinery. I took charge
Of the local police then for specific
purpose, the emergency having arisen.
l did that because 1t was said that the
other machinery had at command to
enforce q law were melting riot and
bleodshed. The people, that is, many
Of them, now have what they say they
have been wanting. I am willing to let
them try It,"
The above is taken from the State Of
last Wednesday. Commenting on the
Governors stand In this matter the
State says: =.
When interviewed yesterday aboit
the tdeetion Of thA Supreme Court,
Gayt tpof TadmAn -ssfd Am -glsE
sn-ls&e know what che laxis at LAST,
dfhat We WIN be able to stop all this
'&oundering about In the sea Of uneer.
tainty." Fob! What hypocrisy dlad,"
whom he had circular issued to every
trial justice In the State to prevent the
making Of q case to test the law; whom
he ten days ago made the Florence trial
justice discharge prisoner in order to
prevent just such habeas corpus pro-
ceedings as have resulted In this deci-
sion; when the only way a determination
has been secured was by having An AZ
rest made by the mayor Of Florence,
who would not be stopped by his au-
thorityl The Governor becomes the
role Of the heavy william better than
that OF sniveling hypocrite
my proclamation" assuming con-
troll Of the police Of the cities) was only
Of force until the dispensary law was
declared of. That law being no longer
law, I have no longer power to enforce
It," That is what Governor Tillman
said yesterday. 1t is utterly untrue
His proclamation had no warrant In, or
upon tie dispensary act;
It was issuep by authority Of the Ku
Klnx statutes, which remain unim-
paired, on the books. It was not an
nulled by the dispensary decision. 1t
has not been Withdrawn by him, and
It Is to-day OF the same force and effect
as 1t was the day he issued it. He may
not wish to control the police Of the
cities to enforce prohibition; but he has
every jot as much authority to do 20 as
be had to control them to enfore the dis
pensary law. His wrigglipg and pre-
are contemplate.
E1-Dispenser Floyd Of Darlington, In
IN inserview In, the Charlotte News,
says, Even now 'he dispensers are
getting $50 a month for looking after
the liquors. Many people don't know
this, but 1t is so." Our st. Matthews
correspondent writes, "The dispenser
here says that his salary is being con-
tinued at half the former sum. He has
10 sleep in the building at night"
Former dispsnsers in Columbia, Edge
1eld and elsewhere say that their sala-
,ies continue to be paid. Since the de-
,ision store has been rented for dis
oensary in this city, whiskey Is being |
received and money spent for freight
md drayaee. ALI this shows that the
money OF the State is being spent under
;he di.pensary act in defiance Of the de-
,ision OF the Supreme Court. Not one
lollar can be legally spent for anything
connected with the dispensary system.
md some taxpayer should at once apply
o the Supreme Court for an injunction
o restrain Governor Tillman from thus
urther increasing the financial loss his
act has caused. The
natter cannot be too soon attended to.
There is more catarrh In this section
I the country than all other diseases