The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1894-06-12

They stand Upon the Prohibition
; Questior-Much Politics Injected
Into the Discussions-an Effort Il
be Made TO Secure Enforcement o.
the Present Prohibition Law.
COLUMBIA, s. e., June 1.-The State
Prohibition Convention was called tt
order at & o'clock this afternoon by l.
ID. Childs, chairman of the executive
committee, who read the call under
which it was held.
After reading the call, Chairman
Childs said that before asking for q
temporary organization, he would like
to thank those present for their attend
ance. He knew that many had come
at great sacrifice OF time and business
He congratulated them on the favor
able conditit ms under which they met
Two years ago they met on the eve OF
n great political battle and had to fight
for their demands between two politi
cal hosts arrayed against each other
Two years ago tho liquor power was
great, the liquor interests were banded
together and over 700 barrooms were
open. To-day there is not single lie.
galizcd barroom. All liquor that is
sold is sold by an outlaw, sncaking
fugitive from 5tict, and every man
who buys d of liquor aids that
outlaw in viol; my the law. Let us
take the stainless banner Of prohibi-
tiOn to higher heights. Our defeats
are but incentives to greater efforts
and nObler victories.
We are under some disadvantages.
We have no actual prohibition law,
only decision of tho Supreme Court
that no license can be issued for the
sale Of liquor. But no sane man be.
lieves that rs much liquor can be sold
without the States suction as with it.
There is great misapprohension as to
what is meant bI prohibition. Some
seem to think that prohibition must
wipe out all the liquor at once, but it
will not do this any more than any
other law wipes out the evil it is meant
to punish.
Let us put aside our political fcel-
ings. IL the prohibition movement can
bring the political factions of the State
together, outside Of the prohibitive
benefits, what great good will be done
the State.
He made a strong appeal for harmo-
ny Of action. There were many points
on which there could be compromise OF
action, but there could be no compro-
missing upon the point of outlawing the
sale and manufacture Of liquor as a
beverage in South Carolina. Such a
compromise would be destruction OF
the very fabric OF prohibition.
He said success would como because
the prohibition cause was right and
God was back of it. He appealed to
the prohibitionists not to rely upon
their own strength but to trust all to
God. He introduced Rev. Mr.. Pitts,
who led the convention in prayer. He
besought God to aid the convention in
its efforts to suppress the liquor traf-
fic.
Mr.. Whitmire, Of Grccnville, nomi.
mated Col. Jas. A. Hoyt, of Groenvillc,
as temporary chairman, and he was
unanimously elected.
Messrs. Whitmire, Herbert and Pitts
were appointed committee to conduct
Colonel Hoyt to the chair.
Mr.. Childs said no Introduction OF
Colonel Hoyt was necessary, as nearly
every man, woman and child in South
Carolina knew him.
Colonel Hoyt thanked the convention
for electing him its temporary presid-
ing officer. He reminded the conven-
tion of the Importance Of the work be-
fore it. He hoped whatever was de-
termined upon, the convention would
agree finally as one man, no matter
what might be the difference of opin-
ion at the start.
Rev. Mr.. Herbert, of Laurens, was
elected temporary secretary.
After a roll of the delegates had
been prepared, the temporary organi.
Zation was made permanent. Colonel
Hoyt said he would make no further
remarks as the convention had met for
business.
Mr.. r.. j. LaMotte was elected assist
ant secretary.
Twcntyfour counties were repre-.
sented. The total membership of the
convention was 100.
~, .,fN NI,. II 4
who were not delegates were requested
to take seats outside the bar, in order
to facilitate business.
a committee of five on resolutions
was provided for, all resolutions to be
referred to it, after being read by the
convention.
Chairman Hoyt appointed Messrs
T.. O. Watson, Jeremiah Smith, ID. c.
Roper, ID. j. Knots and Il. II. Smith
the committee on resolutions.
Mr.. Miller moved that all present in
sympathy with the object of tho con
{,Wention be allowed to sit as delegates
number allotted to each county-twicc
that countys representation in the
General Assembly. This motion was
tabled.
Mr.. Hugh Wilson, of Abbevillc, said
as he was not in entire sympathy with
the objects of tho convention and was
not elected q delegate, 1T would be well
to erase his name from the roll.
Mr.. Brunson moved the appointment
of committee to prepare platform
for tho convention. The committee
was to consist of one from each county
Each delegation nominated it's OWL
member of the committee on plat
FORM
The convention took recess until
$40 p. IN.
At the reconvening of the conven
tion, Chairman Hoyt appointed the
following committee on finance, in ac
cordance with resolution adopted
before the recess: w. l.. Gray, JOS
Sprott, Jr., G. +. Wray, f. II. Hyatt
and j. l.. Harley,
Mr.. f.. ID. Smith submitted resolu
tion providing for the appointment Of
an executive committee consisting o.
one member from each county in the
State, whose duty it shall be to appoint
o chairman for each county who shall
organize prohibition clubs. etc. Il
was referred to the committee on re
solutions.
Mr.. w. l.. Gray of Laurens sub
mitted Il resolution providing for Ght
nomination OF prohibition candidates
by the convention, subject to tho ac
tiOn OF the Democratic primaries pro
vided the State Democatic Executive
Committee gives the Prohibition fac
tion equal representation upon tn,
n H. IL. - T.. - l.