The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-02-07
Riots and Riots.

In some communities they have labor riots
In other places they have bread riots, but IN
Columbia it seems that whiskey riot was
imminent last week.
As will be seen from accounts taken from
the newspapers, bloodshed has already taken
place in Columbia, and the probability or
possibility OF further bloodshed Is freely com
mented on.
It is asserted that fears were entertained al
one time of harm to the witness In a whiskey
case who had shot his assailant In self-de1ense.
The sympathy Of at least part OF the COM
munity evidently being against a man VINO
told as little as possible In whiskey prosecu-
tion, and then fought to save his own life.
Miller was dependent upon the police Tor
protection against incensed people.
We CODY In full Miller's testimony before
the Trial Justice as published In the News
and Courier, which newspaper is opposed 10
the enforcement OF the law.
II that testimony shows anything at all, II
bears, upon Its face, the evident purpose OF
Miller to shield the alleged violators OF the
LIQUOR law from the penalties incident to its
violation.
Although he seemingly desired to hold
back everything he, presumably inadventiy.
smoke of the presence OF others. For this
unguarded speech ne was attacked by one OIL
the men whose names he had called.
W.B. Meetze, who was so lately lionized for
his conduct in defying the law and IN the
bulldozing Of Governor Tillman at the Fair
Grounds, appeared on the scene and en-
tered into fuss with Miller, without, as lar
as we have observed, any apparent need or
call for bis conduct except in carrying out his
own will, or that Of others. to punish VII
ness for the Slate in the whiskey prosecution
The result was, that Miller and Davis com.
menced shooting at each other. Meetze re-
ceived serious wound.
The opponents of the dlspensary law seem
to have bulldozed witnesses and Jurles Id
some communities to wonderful e4tent
and Il seems from the following notes
of the trial as furnished by the News and
Courier, that the Trial Justice In Columbia
made ruling which was certainly not 100
oppressive To- the accused. The News and
Courier heads the following paragraph thus:
TRICK THAT WAS VAIN.
The Solicitor asked: Are You In any way
prejudiced against the Law w ?" .,.-s ,ho, won,,
Judge Melton "The law prescribes form
MIA for yoir dires you have hold 10 that
Why not hold to the formula?"
Justice Clarkson held that the formula
Mr. d. GambriiI was asked to act as fore
man. After lot Of q useless questioning tne
first witness was called.
And we believe the boast has been made IN
the newspapers that the provisions OF the dis
pensary law could not be enforced because, we
presume. Of the determination ofthe lawless
class to break down the law. Pandering TO
the prejudice and feeling Of the lawIess class
has brought about an undesirable con
dition Of affairs. which only the stern enforce
ment OF the law can correct.
LIQUOR mobs, like bread rioters, must be
taught the necessity OF obeying the laws
witnesses for the State must be protected
Yiolaters OF the law must be punished.
II any sentiment exists which would au-
thorize an illicit liquor dealer 10 defy the law
and bulldoze witnesses, the sentiment
should be corrected.
violaters of the liquor law are no more en-
titled to exemption from prosecution Tor
their crimes against society than are the Vio-
laters OF other laws. Certainly violaters OF
the whiskey law have no right or claim to
the sympathy or protection CT the respectable
people Of this State.
The law.abiding people Of South Carolina
want peace and order, and witnesses should
be protected from assaults from the friends OF
the criminal class.