The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-10-17
WILL ENFORCE THE LAW.
That is What tho Mayor of Florence Says
He VIII Do.

"Florence, S. G, Oct. 10, 1894.
"His Excellency, b. r. Tillman. Gov
ernor and Chairman of the State
Board of Control, Columbia, s. q.
"Honored Sir: l notice through the
papers that the Act of 1893, known as
the Dlspensary Act, has been declared
good and valid by the Supreme Court
OF this State. You no douot remember
that just previous to the rendition Of
the decision in Mccullough Vs. Brown,
in which the Act of 1892 was declared
unconstitutional, I called at your office
in obedience to a summons from you
and, while there, the situation 10 Flor
euce was discussed relative to the prof
its which, under the law, should be
turned over to this city. 1 endeaVored
then to state to you fully my action rel
ative to the enforcement of the law at
this place, to wit: That we had always
furnished the cOnstables with all the
aid desired by them for their protection
and assistance in The performance of
their duties here; and that the County
Board of Control, who had kept sharp
watch over my conduct, had stated to
you by letter that we should receive our
profits as they had made thorough In
vestigation of the matter and were sat.
isted that the city authorities had done
what they could to suppress the Illicit
traffic of liquors IN this city. You no
doubt remember stating to me on that
occasion that you would order our
profits turned over to US and desired
our cooperation in the enforcement of
the law. The next day the above de-
cision was filed and since then every
thing has been taking its own course
here and elsewhere, and nothing fur.
ther has passed between us concerning
the profits and the enforcement of the
law. Since this law has now received
the sanction of the highest court In the
State it will be necessary for all citizens
to bow to it. To enforce 1t will be q
difficult task to those who have 1t In
charge and 1t will take no doubt the
combined efforts of the State, county
and city authorities to give the law the
effect aimed at, to wit: Absolutely con.
fining the sale of whiskey to the Dis.
pensaries, but with the cooperation of
these it occurs to me that 1t might be
enforced without friction and without
much expense. MY reason for saying
this Is as follows: Numbers of the
best people in this city are in sympathy
with the law and will assist in its en-
forcement II properly treated and will
aid in the conviction OF the parties who
violate it. l am quite satisfied that If
the STATE Board of Control will turn
over to us the profits now due us, which
we are Justly entitled to, aud we get
our portion of the profits hereafter
made, the Illicit traffic in whiskey In
the city Of Florence can be suppressed
with the aid of-one State Constable.
The reason Is that when our best citi-
zens find that they will be benefited and
their taxes lessened by the profits de.
rived from this source they will heart
lily join In with the city authorities and
sac that this law Is properly carried
out and by that means we will all be
benefited. would like to hear from
you as to whether you do not think
that the vie VS. herein expressed reason
able and whether the request made not
just and proper. Your kind attention
will be greatly appreciated by
"Your obedient servant.
"W. w. HURsEY, Mayor"
The council of Florence backed
Mayor Hursey in bis letter by passing
the following ordinance:
"Florence, s. c.. Oct. 10, 1894.
"Be it resolved by the Mayor and
Aldermen of the city of Florence In
council assembled, and by the authori.
ty of the same:
"First. That the letter written by
Hon. W. w. Hursey, Mayor, dated
October 10, 1894, and addressed to his
Excellency, B. r. Tillman, Governor
and Chairman of the State Board Of
Control, be adopted as the action Of this
council.
Second. That a copy of this resolu-
tion accompany the letter to the Cover.
nor. "E. 81. LUCAS,
"Clerk of City Council
THE GOVERNORS ANSWER.
Governor Tillman yesterday sent the
following answer to Mayor Hursey:
columbia, S. G., Oct. II, 1894.
"Hon. W. W. Hursey, Florence, s. G.
Dear Sir: Your letter of October
10, enclosing copy of the resolutions
passed by your city council received.
After consultation with the Attorney
General who Is q member of the State
Board of Control, I desire to say that
it is the purpose of the State Board to
encourage In every way possible the en-
forcemsnt of the Dispensary law by the
municipal authorities of the different
cities and towns In the State.
ave would be glad to dispense with
the use Of constaOles entirely II posi-
BILE. In reference to the profits which
would have been due to the city of
Florence had the law been enforced
there to our satisfaction, and which
you ask to have paid to you now, We
cannot agree that 1T Is either just or
proper, because the State, solely by
reason of the neglect of duty on the part
of the police, suffered heavy loss by
the looting of the Dispensary at Flor
ence last April. But we are willing to
let bygones be bygones and If the city
authorities will act in good faith In the
future, the share Of the profits to which
you are entitled under the law will be
cheerfully paid you. We do not want
1t, and would never have ordered lt
withheld last spring had we not felt
that the police of your city were dere'
licJ. I must presume that your offer
was made in good faith and hope there
will be no cause of complaint on either
side in the future. One of the best
constables on the force is now In Flor
ence, and If you will cooperate with
him there Is no doubt that the Illicit
sale of whiskey can be stopped, and the
morals and good order of your town
improved. l am, s'Very respectfully,
"B. II TILLMAN,
"Governor."
The Candidates for Congress.