Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1895-05-15
TfLLMAN CHARGES BRIBERY.
simonton Reverses Himself-Goff for the
Republicans.

Republicans.
Senator Tillman was delivering an
educational address at Micanopy, Fla,
at the time the decisions of Judges
Goff and Simonton were rendered. A
correspondent of the Jacksonville
Times Union saw him next day and
asked what he thought of the new turn
of affairs.
II have not seen the papers" the
senator replied, "apd, while anticipa-
ted the result, I have no direct knowl-
edge in regard to the decisions"
The correspondent handed the sena-
tor The Times Union containing the
report. After he had read the report,
the senator said
ssIn regard to the registration law,
there is no general election in South
Carolina this year, and no franchise
will be exercised only in the election of
delegates to the constitutional conven-
vention, called by the last legislature
after having been voted upon by the
people at the last general election last
November. There is evidently con-
spiracy afoot, and this dirty Republi-
can-Judge Goff-was brought from
his home in West Virginia into anoth-
er circuit to do the work which it is
hoped will overthrow the rule of the
people in our State. Simonton, in
whose circuit South Carolina is, was, /
think, a member of the Legislature at
the time the registration law was pass
ed in 1882. 1t was good enough then
because he and his clique governed
the State. 1t has been in force for l3
years, and is only sought to be over
thrown now because the people at
three consecutive elections have been
indicating a fixed purpose to perma-
nently retire certain old-time leaders.
I do not know what the United States
supreme court will do, but l do know
this the constitutional convention will
be held. 1t will be composed of white
men principally, who. will take care OF
South Carolina and see that white su-
premacy is maintained within her
borders"
"What about the dispensary?" was
asked.
"Judge Simonton has once declared
that this law was constitutional, re-
piled the senator. "He has practical
iy reversed himself. From the sweep
ing nature of the injunction, am al
most ready to think that in going so
far in trying to overthrow the law, the
Judge has been improperly influenced.
The dispensary system isso popular in
the State, and is being watc he'd with
such keen interest by the people out
side with the almost absolute certainty
of being adopted by other States, and
the barkeepers and liquor manufactu-
rers could we'll afford to raise 81 ,OOO,-
900 to buy judge or two. Congress
has declared by enactment that liquor
upon arrival in a State shall be sub
iect to the laws Of that State to the
same as that manufactured therein.
The supreme court has time and time
again affirmed the right of State to
control liquor in any way it saw prop
er. 1t behooves the lovers of temper
ance 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 liquor problem.
"These two judicial decisions, if sus-
tanned practically destroys the vestige
of States rights and Jeferson's proph-
esy that the Federal judiciary would
be the means of overthrowing our lib
critics and destroying local selfgovern-
ment will have been fulfilled. Cover
nor Evans's plan to resist the injunc-
ton is the quickest and best way to
have the supreme court pass upon It,"
"What do think of the outcome"
"Unless the supreme court shall also
prove subservient to the liquor inter-
ests, and lend itself to the dirty work
which these judges have in hand, they
will interpret the act of congress ac-
cording to the English language. and
the law will certainly continue its ben
efcent work in reducing drunkenness
and liquor drinking. The judges by
their decisions and injunctions, and
congressman by their votes, are rapid
ly making this country a despotism in
which the rights and interests of the
masses are of as little moment as they
are in Russia. Unless the people be-
stir themselves, the lawyers and judges
will sell our liberties to the corpora
tions and the money power. But am
glad to see them pressing their
schemes, for it will only bring upon us
the revolution that must come sooner
or later"