The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1894-02-21
MAYORS OFFICE.


ANDERSON, 8. c., Feb. 14th. 1894,
Hon, B. r. Tillman, Chairman Board Of
Control, Columbia, s. C..
SIR: Your letter Of the 10th .nst., ad-
dressed to the Mayor and Aldermen OF
the City of Anderson, was received by
me, and in all frankness I must say that
was greatly surprised at the informa-
ton that MIR. J. B. Douthit had, as chair
man of the County Board of Control,
written you letter in which it is charged
that the city authorities are not making
any efforts to enforce the Dispensary law,
and that "blind tigers are selling more
whiskey than they did last year." Ny
surprise arises from two sources. First,
because the County Board of Control has
made no complaint to me as Mayor, to
CITY, and have expressed no dissatisfao-
ton to us and made no request or sug-
gestion In any way on the subject. On
the contrary. two of the County Board Of
Control in conversation with me on the
subject, in the presence of Mr.. Craig, not
only made no complaint but announced
that they were ready for US to have our
share of the dispensary profits.
Second, because am satisfied that an
Injustice is done the city in stating that
stblind tigers" are selling more whiskey
| than they did last year. Our police have
been watchful and as far as they have
authority or opportunity have enforced
all city ordinances. They have on sew
eral occasions learned Of distributions OF
whiskey from wagons outside The city
limits, where they could not go, and have
| communicated their information to the
constables. It is not surprising that they
| have been unable to get information on
which cases can be founded in che city
| when the State constables and those they
use as detectives have been unable to
present single case on which jury can
be secured to convict. AS you know,
there have been numerous trials here by
the Trial Justices with impartial juries
drawn from lists prepared by the consta-
bles from citizens, numbers of whom are
| in sympathy with the law, and yet in no
,single case have they secured a convic-
ton.
| I do not mean to say that no whiskey
has been sold outside the Dispensary, bu t
I do know that no case has been reported
by the police nor has any case been
reported by any person to the city
authorities, and have no means CT pro-
ceeding without prosecutors or witnesses.
The police assure me that they have seen
nothing and have received no complaint
or information on which they can base q
report of any violation of the city ordi--
/ nances. OF course you understand that
! we cannot proceed on rumors, but am
ready to fully and vigorously investigate
every charge for violation of the city
ordinances, whether presented by the
police or any citizen who may step for
ward and make the accusation. If Mr..
Douthit knows whereof he speaks that
"blind tigers" exist in Anderson, and
will make the affidavit to secure the
institution of the case, every witness he
names that can be secured will be heard
| in each case, and the accused will be tried
| by the City Court exactly as any other
alleged violation Of city ordinances Is
tried.
cannot think In the face of the recent
trials here that there is any considerable
illegal sale of liquor in Anderson. or
course my position would keep parties
| disposed to violate the law from doing 80
where would know 1t, and the same is
true of the police. !,
| + will be glad to meet the State Board
of Control on this matter If any charge Of
derelictlon on the part of the City Council
| is made by the County Board Of Control,
but am satisfied the board will make
no such charge, and that Mr.. Douthit
will not impute any failure to perform
their duty to the city authorities.
Respectfully,
G. F. ToLLY, Mayor.