The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-05-13
Gov. Evans in Reply.
What ne Says About NLr.
Williams Statement.

The interview with Mr. L J Will
Jams of the State board of control,
in which that official spoke very
plainly about the governors actioA in
ordering seized sample barrel of
beer shipped to him, published in The
State yesterday morning created
much comment in the city, and par
ticularly in official circles.
When Governor Evans was seen
he gave the following statement in
regard to the matter, the essential
feature of which is the announcement
that any one who has had imported
liquor seized can get it back by certi.
flying that it is "for personal use"
only, till the test case now pending
is decided
The governor said:
II am very sorry that Mr.. Williams
seems to take 80 much to heart the
seizure of the barrel Of beer that was
improperly shipped to his address at
at Edge6eld The matter was called
to my attention by the constable at
Edgefeld, and he was instructed that
the law permitted no such release.
The beer was seized and is in the
possession Of the State, and if Mr..
Williams felttbat an injustice had been
done him he had the same remedy
as other citizens whose goods have
been improperly seized The men,
bers of the board under the law will
be treated the same as other citizens
The law is no respect or of persons,
and in enforcing it, certainly have
the right to expect the hearty co op-
Grafton of the States officers, and
particularly those entrusted with the
administration of the lew.
"The statement by Mr.. Williams
that at the same time the beer was
at Edge6eld keg Of contrabaud
liquor was shipped there to another
party and seized by the constables,
which was realeased.' is without
foundation. The facts are that
shipment was made by party of
keg of whiskey to Edgefeld in the
name of negro The constable re.
port to me, while in Edge6e!d. the
fact, and stated that he had released
the same upon the statement of the
real owner that it was intended fer
his own use, and not to evade the
law. The constable was censured by
me and instructed never to return
whiskey shipped under such circum
stances, especially as it came under
the order Of Judge Simonton.
"The statement that ] have fre
quently ordered packages released is
true and / am continuing to do SO
under the advice Of the attorney gen.
eral, as the order Of Judge Simon
ton will be carried out until the test
case now before him is decided l
have, as stated By him, petitioned the
State board of control of which Mr.
Williams is member to release the
packages in cases where | was of the
opinion that the seizure could not be
sustained If the State has been
deprived OF valuable property, as Mr..
Williams says, the responsibility is
upon myself
$50 far as the arrangement is con-
cerned, whereby. as he says, l can
nullify sections 25 and 81 of the law,
Mr. Williams is a party to the ar
rangement. and, therefore, if it be
crime, he is particeps criminis, as
will appear by the following papers
{" COLUMBIA, S c., May 9, 1896.
&c The undersigned members Of
the State board of control. hereby
certify that the arrangement made by
Governor Evans upon the advice of
the attorney general, to hold all
liquors seized by the State constables
for 80 days in order to save the citi-
zens of the State from annoyance
and to avoid contempt proceedings
for improper seizures pending the
litigation before Judge Simonton, to
determine the constitutionality Of the
d;spensary law, relative to the i'm
portation of liquors into the State
andthe analysis Of the same, was
approved by the board and was con-
sidered only temporary expedient.
(Signed
Willie Jones,
.''W. 4 Nicholson
:" 'CoIuMB1A, S. c., May 9, 1896.
The attorney general, desiring
to test the new law in the United
States courts, as to it's interstate
commerce and analysis features, aud
wishing to avoid any complications
by way of contempt proceedings for
al,