The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-05-15
Tillmam on The Decision.
Inslnuates That Simonton has
Been Bought,

the Times.Union from Gainesville,
Fla , says: Senator Tillman arrived
in the city to-day from the Archer's
neighborhood, where he has some
property He met his old friend, j:
F. Bunch, at the depot and accepted
the proffeled invitation to dine at his
home here. The Times Union cores
pondent met the Senator and inquired
of him if he had read the dispatches
from Columbia in reference to the
decisions against the registration and
the dispensary laws of his State.
II have not seen the papers," the
Senator replied. land while ant'ci-
pated the result. l have no direct
knowledge in regard to the decl-
sions."
The correspondent handed the
Senator the Times Union, containing
the report. After he had read the
report the Senator said:
"In regard to the registration law,
there is no general election in South
Carolina this year and the franchise
will be exercised only in the election
of delegates to the Constitutional con,
vention, called by the last Legisla-
ture, after having been voted upon by
the people at the last general election
last November. There is evidently a
conspiracy afoot. and this dirty Re-
publican, Judge Golf, was brought
from his home in West Virginia into
another circuit to do the work
which it is hoped will overthrow the
rule of the people in our State. Simon
ton, in whose circuit South Carolina
is, was, | think, a member Of the
Legislature at the time the registra,
ton law was passed in 1882. 1t was
good enough then because he and his
clique governed the State. 1t has
been in force for thirteen years and is
only sought to be overthrow now
because the people at three consecu-
tive elections have been indicating a
fixed purpose to permanently retire
certain old time leaders. do not
know what the United States Su-
preme Court will do, but / do know
this: The Constitutional Convention
will be held. It will be composed CT
white men principally, who will take
care of South Carolina aud e that
white supremacy is maintained within
her borders"
"What about the ~dispensary ?" was
asked.
"Judge Sinoaton has mt de-.
clared that this law was constitu-
tional," replied the Senator "He
has practically reversed himself
From the sweeping nature of the
Injunction, l am almost ready to
think that. IN going so far in trying
to overthrow the law, the judge has
been improperly Influenced. The
dispensary system is so popular in
the State and is being watched with
such keen interest by the people out
side, with the absolute certainty of
being adopted by other States, that
the bar-keepers and liquor manu-
facturers conId well afford to raise a
million dollars to buy ajudge or two
Congress has declared by enactment
that the liquor upon arrival in a State
shall be subject to the laws OF that
State just tue same as that manu-
featured therein. The Supreme
Court has time and time again affirm
ed the right Of a State to control
liquor in any way it saw proper 1t
behooves the lovers of temperance
throughout the United States to
make. their influence felt and heard
at this crisis, for experience has
shown the dispensary system to be
the best political solution Of the
liquo. problem.
"These two judicial decisions, if
sustained. practically destroy the last
vestige of States rights. aud Jefer-
sons prophecy that the Federal judi
ciary would be the means of over.
throwing our liberties and destroying
local self government, will have been
fulfilled. Gov. Evans plan to resist
the injunction is the quickest and
best way to have the Supreme Court
pass upon it
"Wbat do you think of the out-
come p
..Unless the Supreme Court shall
also prove subservient TO the liquor
interests and lend itself to the dirty
work which the judges have in hand,
they will interpret the act of Con-
gress according to the English Ian
guage, and the law will certainly
continue it's benefcent work in re-
ducing drunkenness and liquor
drinking. The judges by their de.
cisions and injnnctions, and Congress
men by their votes, are rapidly max
ing this country a despotlsm in
which the rights and interests of the