The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1894-11-07
Repeal the Dlsprnsary Law I!

y
bly of South Csrolins-Gentlsmen: At
the approaching session OF the General
Assem- bly, of South Carolina 1t will be
your duty to legislate further upon
q ouestion, the consideration OF which dur
lug the past two sessions has seemingly
dwarfed into insigniticance all other
matters which usually take precedence
in the legislative branch Of tho admins
tration Of the affairs of q sovereign State,
namely, the liquor problem.
The burning question now is: How
will you meet tho test It is apparent to
all of you that in its present shape the
tiispensary law does not nor can it ever
hope to accomplish the objects for the
:consummation of whiSh 1t was supposedly
enacted, and the question naturally arises
can It be 80 amended as TO secure the ac-
tive support of that large and influential
class of our citizens who come closest in
contact with it. without whose support
Its enforcement acc the good results
which it is ostensibly Intended to accom-
splish becomes an lmpossibllltyI
Doubtless many Of you, especially you
who are from the rural districts, the pop
;ulaiion of which do not come in direct
contact with its operations, are favorably
Impressed with the theoretical principles
of the dispensary law, and have expressed
yourselves on the stump during the pro-
gress of the cam paign just closed as favor
ing that law as the best solution Of the
LIQUOR question, and in the expression Of
this opinion you were, Of course, honest.
No one doubts that for Is moment, for it is
to suppose that the people
have elected to an Office Of such impor-
s,ance as that Of State legislator anyone
merely. because he or they swallowed
bodily, against their con nvictions, the pet
hobby OF Governor Tillman and John
Gary Evans. -
terence between theory and practice, and
are; I hope, wise enough to see and ap-
oreciate the fact that the practical side Of
the dispensary law, as presented In the
farce of It's enforcement, does not COM
mend it's theoretical side to practical
people.
Now, what ars you going to do about
.it2 Are You going to stand by the silly
and untenable position of the last Gem
eral Assembly in re:enacting, with
amendments, which cannot but be futile,
a law which that legislative body sup
posed had behind it the solid support Of
the Reform faction, but which, as expert
ence has fully demonstrated, is supported
merely by q faction of that faction, or
will you give us law which all can and
will cordially support
Upon your answer to shis question de-
pends much more than appears upon the
surface. South Carolina has always oc.
.cupied proud position in the galaxy Of
States comprising this great Union. The
counsels OF her statesmen have ever been
looked up to with reverence and approval
,by those Of her sister Ststes. The DEGREES
of her Courts of law are, and have ever
been, quoted throughout the length and
breadth of our common country as sound
and as epitomes Of justice. Our morals
have ranked higher and our influence
over other Southern States has heen more
marked than that Of any other State In
our, beloved Southland.
Shall we voluntarily reinquish this
position? Shall we tamely and asininely
submit to have the guod name Of our
mother State dragged through the mire
of internecihe chickering's over such a
question? Shall the name Of South Caro-
lima be made laughing-stock through
out the Union because Of the mulish
obstinacy OF her legislators in upholding
such law as the dispensary or kindred
measures3 A thousand times no, not If
u Just and rational solution of the liquor
problem can be found, and with your
united wisdom directed to this object it
can be found.
The issue is in your hands, gentlemen
of the General Assembly, and If you
properly appreciate the difference be
tween pandering to the factional and per-
sonal pride of certain men and legislation
for the good Of the whole people the
result need not be feared.
w. A. SCHRoCK.
Camden, S. c., October %. 1894.