The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1894-05-01
STILL AT SEA.
Conflicting Views as to the Dispen-
saiy Decision-ls IL Dead or Not?
Special to TIE News and Courier.

| special TO Tbe News and Courier.
COLUMBIA, April 24.-Now, the
| question is, what is South Carolina
| going to do with free liquor, as con.
strued by Governor Tillman? Will
there be any opposition to the establish
ment OF saloon at every crossroad,
aud will such a protest be of any effect?
The Prohibitionists announce that
they will make the fight. Will it be
OF any force without Executive CO.
operation There are not & few who
think that Governor Tillman, having
been defeated in his pet scheme, the
dispensary law, has picked out what
he thinks will bring about the most
confusion and disgust in the State, and
that he will in consequence offer no
objection to the promiscuous and un-
Licensed saloon; According to this
idea, the more the merrier. This will
all be done to try and carry the saloon
to the ad nauseum limit in the hope
of getting the people at the next
election - acknowledge that the
AdministtStiG.l. did the grand act in
placing the dispensary law on the
statute books. At the same time it
will, no doubt, be seen that there will
not be an enthusiastic rush for the re-
enactment of any such law for new
Supreme Court to pass upon or for it
TO be engrafted in the proposed Con-
stitution. Altogether all that has
been done is generally thought to be
for the political effect it will have.
Up to yesterday the saloon men here
abouts had not been aggressive, but
bright and early this morning beer or
liquor or anything else in that line
could be bought with us much ease
as in days of old. The barkeepers are
for the present acting on the free
liquor idea, but would perhaps be per-
fectly y willing to pay license. From
what can be gathered on all sides no
legal objection to such sales will be
made by the State.
AT the same time it is somewhat
notorious and significant fact that
Governor Tillmap has not consulted
his legal department as to the con-
dition in which the State has been
left by the decision. If he has it has
not been announced. as it is conceded
that both of the lawyers connected
with that department are Of the opinion
that the State is left with prohibition
OIL it's hands.
This morning Chief Justice McIver
mad pleasant chat with the news
paper fraternity. Instead of giving
them anything about the intentions Of
the Supreme Court he mplimented
the newspapers upon their extraordi-
nary enterprise in publishing the full
text of the decision in the dispensary
case. When he was asked whether
the decision meant prohibition or free
liquor he replied. that he would be
very glad to answer the question when
1t was brought up before the Court.
~ How can it be brought before the
Court ?" [ asked him. "That is for
the lawyers to say" he replied.
The Prohibitionists say that they
arc not in the least surprised at the
determination and announcement of
Governor Tillman to give them no
assistance in carrying out what they
regard as a condition of prohibition.
They say that Governor Tillman has
never been friendly to prohibition,
and that they did not expect any sup
port from him. They say that if it
comes to the worst that the common
law provides punishment for the free
sale of liquor ss held by Governor Till
man.