The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-05-13
The Governor Was Right.

The Governor Was Right.
II seems that manufacturer of beer sent q
barrel of bis product to Mr.. L. j. Williams at
Edgefeld, who Is a member of the Board OF
Control, and that the liquor was seized by the
State Constables. The beer was found in the
Railroad Station. The Constables asked Gov
ernor Evans whether they should seize II.
The Governor directed them to take charge OF
it. This gave ofIense to Mr.. Williams and he
has since then spoken very freely about the
matter in terms not complimentary to the
Governor. MIR. Williams starts out by say
ing:
ut had been shipped without my knowl-
edge, suppose as samples, since am charged
with buying beer for the State Dispensary.
Therein lies the ground OF complaint and
the cause of war. A fact which is startling
and an occasion to shock the public.
The Press and Banner knows nothing at all
Of the matter, except as Mr.. Williams states
1t himself and as admitted by the Governor
but the shipment of barrel OF samples to the
home of an individual member OF the board
of control is certainly wrong and may possl-
bly, create suspicion in the eyes OF evil ois-
posed persons. This thing Of public othclals
receiving samples, or presents. from people
who have wares TO sell should be carefully
guarded
While it might have been right and
proper to have sent samples" to the ofice OIL
the board of control, yet 1t may be that sus-
picious persons may think that If such large
presents, or samples. were sent to the home
of an individual member of the board such
act might partake of the nature of an effort
to exercise influence with that member In
awarding contracts for the purchase of goods
The Press and Banner believes that the vir-
tuous indignation of Mr.. Williams should
have been directed toward the sender of the
barrel Of beer and not toward the Governor
who has en- forced the law. The Governor
was eminently correct in making members OF
the board amenable to the law, just as he re-
quires other people to obey the statute.
This paper would not say anything to be Of
fensive 10 anybody, but we do earnestly hope
that the Governor may take the necessary
steps to find out If the liquor dealers are
tampering with the Individual members Of
the board of control by sending presents to
their homes. II the manufacturer can send
To the home Of an individual member OF the
board barrel of beer we do not see why he
should not be allowed to send barrel OF
whiskey, and If he could present barrel OF
whiskey then why should he not be allowed
to send q tank car filled with whiskey?
The State OF South Carolina is very jealous
Of the integrity OF its officers, and refuses to
let one OF them ride mile on any railroad on
free pass. Then does IT not look like the
members of the board of control should be
scrupulously careful TO avoid even the slight
est pretext for evil disposed people to think
q bad thing.
We trust that the Governor may look into
this matter of presents to the individual
members of the board Of control. Their Off
cial positions places them in the highest pos
sible place of trust, and no member of that
board should allow any manufacturer to send
10 him presents or samples of his products.
If the sending Of presents or samples is TO be
tolerated or countenanred the public may
loss confidence in the integrity and honesty
Of the most important officers OF the State.
The Legislature should at 1t next sitting
make searching investigation into this mat
ter Of presents, and the law should be SO
amended as to make each Individual member
answer on oath If any attempts have been
made TO bride them and ifthey have, directly
or indirectly received samples, presents or
other valuable thing from any manufacturer
of whiskey. Amy member of the board OF
control who receives or accepts nickels
worth Of samples should be dealt with.
The integrity of the board of control must
be preserved, or else the best liquor law that
we have ever had will be the source of public
scandal and private reproach.
Governor, see TO 1t that no more samples OF
beer, liquor or anything else is sent to the
home OF any Individual member OF the board
Of control. This thing of sending barrels Of
samples must stop. and stop quickly. South
Carolina cannot afford TO have her good name
smirched in the unlawful traffic in beer by
the officials who are entrusted with the en-
forcement OF the law.
Instead taking umbrage at the action of the
Governor in ordering the seizure of beer that
was in unlawful transit, he should have en-
dorsed the act. Mr.. Williams has placed him
self in very unenviabe light before people
who know nothing more of the facts than we
do. We hardly think that Wiley Jones would
allow any one to ship barrels of samples to
his private residence.