The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1896-03-31
THE LAW IS SAID TO WORK WELL.
GOVERNOR EVANS TALKS ABOUT THE
METROPOLITAN POLICE.
Columbia Register.

Columbia Register.
Governor Evans is usually in q goo,
humor, but he seemed TO be in an un
Usually good humor yesterday whom
Register reporter entered his room II
the State House near tho close of oflic,
hours. Whether the smiles which
chased across his face were caused b,
thoughts of an intention to redeem hi
matrimonial pledge to the voters of tn,
| State, or by the reception of importan
and satisfactory political news, the re
porter did not ascertain
After desultory chat, the converse
t1on turned on Charleston, which ha,
hitherto been the Gibraltar Of opposi
tion to the dispensary law.
How Is the metropolitan police law
working there ?" queried the reporter
You might know it was working
well when it's operation elicits the
commendatiOn of such an uncompro
missing and vigorous advocate of pro
hibition as Mrs. Sallie E. Chaplin, the
chief apostle of that doctrine in this
State. Your paper has published her
praise of Chief Martin and his force
and their promptness and efficiency in
enforcing the laws Of the State"
But Mrs. Chaplin is only one citi-
II.
" Have you any information as to how
the people of that city generally regard
the metropolitan police ?"
Yes" replied Governor Evans: 81
have received reliable information that
the best elements of Charloston's citi-
zenship are very we'll pleased with the
metropolitan police and would not go
back to the old system. | have re-
ceived a numoer of letter from minis
ters, business mensand other citizens
of Charleston who commend in the
highest terms the result of the applica-
tion of the metropolitan police law to
their city.
"The politicians and the old liquor
element in Charleston are unsparing
In their condemnation of the metrOpoli-
tap police, but while they make the
most noise, do not believe they are
more numerous than those who believe
the new system is an improvement
upon the old one.
The police commissioners are
young, active and successful business
men, who have the confidence of the
entire community. Chief Martin is q
police officer of sterling merit, who is
absolutely fearless and perfectly i'm
partial in the performance of his duty.
While he takes the natural and proper
interest OF wide-awake citizen in
political affairs, The is never unmind-
lul OF the requirements of his impor-
tant Office and has never prostituted
Its powers for the advancement of par
tisan interests.
Since the police force has been
made absolutely independent of the ef-
fect OF local political mutations, its
efficiency has been wonderfully in
Its members can now enforce
every law without fear or favor, with
)ut calculating whether their doing OF
their duty is likely to cost them their
position, upon holding which depends
Iheir bread and butter.
Thep are not only putting the
screws on blind tigers but are con.
Quoting vigorous crusade against
policy shops aud other iniquities.
The other day Chief Martin broke up
/ prize fight which had been extensive
y advertised in the Charleston papers
and which the county officials had
'aken no steps to prevent. The law
abiding citizens Of Charleston were de-
lighted at his prevention of the pro-
orosed tistic encounter.
All OF the jury commissioners in
charleston now are Rcformers and a
octter class OF jurors are being drawn
men who will not perjure themselves;
men who will give verdicts in accord
ince with the law and evidence. even
though they do not favor the law and
evidence, even though they do not
Iavor the law and would vote for its
repeal. The result of this improve
nent of Charleston juries has been
mat several violators at the recent
term OF the Court of General Sessions
r,a mr. lnf ,,F l,,, 4
city are on the,dccrease in'consequence
There were some very good men en-.
gagged in Illicit liquor selling in Char
lesion, because they believed they were
backed up by the sentiment of the
Their eyes have been
opened and they are dropping their
illegal business. When such men
close up their blind tigers enforce
mcnt OF the law against the remainder
will be easier. Sales in the Charleston
dispensaries are improving which is
sign that the dispensary law is being
better obeyed there"
On the subject of Charleston politics
the Governor was rather non-cOmmit-
tai, that being delicate matter to
touch upon. He did admit, however,
that letters from his friends in Charles
ton expressed confidence that the Re
formers would carry that city in the
next election. The addition of slice
OF Berkley to Charleston has largely
added to the country vote Of that coun-
ty and the country vote is almost solid
ly Reform. In the city the ranks Of
the Reformers are rapidly recruiting
and they will go into the campaign
with vim and dash. The new law
which makes it necessary for every
voter in a primary in Charleston to
produce his registration certificate
eliminates much Of the possibility of
fraud thers and consequently improves
the chance of the Reformcrs carrying
that city. Certain is it that the leading
Reformers in the City by the Sea are
cocksure OF their ability to carry it in
the next election.
WONDERS OF SCIENCE while WI