The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-05-13
Gov. Evans in Reply.

The interview with Mr.. L. J Williams
of the State board Of control, in which
that official spoke very plainly about the
Governors action in ordering seized q
sample barrel OF beer shipped to him,
published in the State yesterday morning.
created much comment in the city, and
particularly 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 n who
has had imported liquor seized can get 1t
back by certifying that it is ''for personal
use" only, till the test case now pending
is decided.
The governor said:
IT am very sorry that Mr.. Williams
seems to take 80 much to heart the seiz-
ure of the barrel of beer that was i'm
properly shipped to bis address at Edge
field. The matter was called to my at.
tention by the constable at Edgetield,
and he was instructed that the law per-
United no such release. The beer was
seized and ia in the possession of the
State, and II Mr.. " illiams felt that an In
Justice had been done him he had the
same remedy as other citizens whose
goods have been improperly seized. The
IAOulbCLo Va II SoA oA3SA ~ @o" 81
be treated the same as other citizens. The
law is no respector OF persons, and in en-
forcing it, I certainly have the right to
pect the hearty cooperation or the
States officers, and particularly those
entrusted with tho administration Of the
law.
"TtN statement by Mr.. Williams that
at the same time tho beer was at Edge
field q keg of c~ontraband liquor was
shipped there to another party and seized
by the constables, which was released is
without foundation. The facts are that q
shipment was made by q party of q key
Of whiskey to Edgeield in the name Of
q negro. rhe constable reported to me,
while in E%dgeield, the fact, aud stated
that he had released the same upon the
statement Of the real owner that il was
intended for his own use, and not 70
evade the law. The constable wss cen.
sured by me and instructed never to re-
turn whiskey shipped under such cir
cumstances, especiallyRs it anne under
the order of Judge Simontop.
1.-THE statement that I have frequently
ordered packages released is true and I
am continuing to do 80 under the advice
of the attorney general, as the order Of
Judge Simonton will be carried out until
the LeSC case low O6lOI0 ulu IL u6Cl06Q.
I have, as stated by him, petitioned the
State board of control of which Mr.. VIII
liams is a member to release the pack
ages In cases where l was of the opinion
that the seizure could not be sustained.
II the State has been deprived of valuable
property, as Mr.. Williams says, the re-
sponsibility is upon myself.
$50 far a. the arrangement is concerned,
whereby, as be says, I can nullify sections
% and 81 of the law, MI. Williams Is q
party to the arrangement. and, therefore,
it it be a crime, be Is particeps criminis,
as will appear by the following papers:
"'CoLUMB1A, s. G, May O., 1896.
"'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 so days 10 order to save the
citizens of the State from annoyance and
to avoid contempt proceedings for i'm
proper seizures pending the litigation be-
fore Judge Simonton, to determine the
oonstitrtionality Ufthe %dispensary law,
relative to the importation o fliquors into
the State and the analysis OF the same,
was approved by the board and was con-
sidered only a temporary 81 pedient.
(Signed.) sew. A. NICHOLSON.
"'WILIE JONES'