The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-04-24
A Dispensary
Mr.. Warren Chandler Makes
a Strong Appeal.

An effort to establish the dispen-
ssry system in Georgia will be one Of
the principal fights before the Legis-
isture at it's next session.
Already the prohibition leaders
throughout the State are working
with this end in view. The fight
which they made before the last Leg.
islature is to be renewed with re-
doubled vigor, and the indications
point to this being the most sensa-
tionai contest before the General
Assembly this fall.
Within the past few days a circu-
lar letter written by Rev. Warren A.
Chandler, president of Emory College,
has been sent broadcast through the
State. 1t is a letter in advocacy OF
the passage of the dispensary bill,
which, though he does not refer to it
directly as such, is the measure upon
which the Prohibitionists of Georgia
will unite.
The letter is a rather lengthy one
In opening he refers to the saloon as
ga shame in morals and a scandal in
politics" lie goes on to refer to the
fact that already, by local laws. pro-
hibition exists in many parts Of the
| State and he gives it as his belief that
the majority of the people Of the
State are against the saloon After
referring to the dry places made by
special acts. local option and the
three.mile law, he says:
"Here and there are wet spots,
found for the most part only within
city walls. But these wet spots do
incalculable mischief. In them are
the cages where open-eyed tigers
bear the blind cubs which wander
into dry districts seeking what they
may devour and ~devouring what they
seek. These dens must be broken up
before we can enjoy the full security
and peace. which prohibition il so
well calculated to afford. 1t is mani.
fest that the cities in which these
dens are located will not break them
up. They serve too we'll the ends of
ward politicians. 1t is the statement
of a simple fact to affirm that the sa-
loon dominates the elections in those
counties in which our cities are locs.
ted, that prohibition can never be per-
manently had therein unless deliver
ance comes from beyond their limits
This is painfully established by the
attitude of the city members of che
Legislature towards all measures of
moral reform. With a very few
honorable exceptions (who become
fewer every succeeding SESSION. they
can be relied on to oppose every bill
which looks to the suppression of the
liquor traffic and it's allied iniqcities
of gambling and prostitution. The
ass knoweth his masters crib"
Dr.. Chandler goes on to say that
"good men and helpless vomen and
children in the cities are in subjec-
ton to the saloons and that they are
crying TO the outside world for help
1t is sel6shness," he says, "for those
residing where prohibitory laws
shield and protect rs to leave these
captives to their unhappy fate" He
urges that something should be done
at once, adding: elf we do not very
coon extend the benign rule CT pro-
hibition over those cities, they will
corrupt families and dishonor our
homes"
He fears also that the cities will
conspire to take from the country the
Prohibition which they now have,
arguing that Getty masses being more
compact, move with greater swift
ness and power thsn do the scattered
districts in the country
Speaking of the status ofbills now
before the Legislature, DR.. Chandler
says:
"It is within reason to say that the
prohibitionists in Georgia are now
abundantly able to secure the pas
sage of a prohibitory law for the entire
State, and that every year they delay
to do so they become less able to &C.
complish it. Ten years from now, if
the matter is delayed so long, the
adoption of such a law will be next
to impossible-perhaps absolutely SO
1t ought to be done, and a be done
in this year of grace, 1895. When
the Legislature reassembles next
October it will fnd, we'll advanced on
the calendar, a carefully drawn meas
ure, which ought to be passed with
out further debate, and without ma
terial amendment. 1t is a bill having
this Just merit, whatever else may be
said of it, viz: 1t allows no man to
tempt another for purposes of gain