The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-05-21
,"Low DOWN TRIBKs."
A Prominent KefOrmcr Sails Into
Governor Evans for Ordering His
Beer Seized.

Mr.. Leon j. Williams. of Edgctield
Is one Of the most noted and Intense
RefOrmers in the State, and is now q
member Of the State board Of control
Not long ago q barrel of beer YVES
| shipped to his address at Eigcfield
and IT. was seized by tho dispensary
constables, which led him TO maze the
following statements:
y was at Edgeileld on last Monday
and, much to my surprise, ] learned
That barrel OF beer, shipped to mo as
member Of the State board of con
troll, haG been seized by the consta
6les. 1t had been shipped without my
knowledge, [ suppose as samples
since l am charged with buying beer
for the State dispensary. 1T had been
vt Edgefiold for two weeks.
'Governor Evans went over to Edge.
held, and learning that tho beer was
there. ordered tho constables to seize
IL. Atl this happened without my
knowledge. AT the same time the
beor was at Edgoneld q key of contra.
band liquor was shipped there to
another party and seized by tho con.
stables, which was released. Why
THIS different treatment? | am charged
with purchasing beor to supply the
people and should Of course know what
l am doing, and assert that it is pro.
per and Legitimate for mo to recoiv Q
samples. Even if it is improper. / am
not responsible for shipments made to
mo without my knowledge.
Now the Governor has frequently
ordered seized liquors released (soma
Of 1T consigned to his relatives), which
was shipped contrary to law and
clearly contraband and forfeited to the
State. lie has frequently petitloned
the boald OF control to release seized
liquor, aud all these releases deprive
tho State Of valuable property; besides
it Is nearly always consigned to enemies
Of the dispensary law.
He has made an arrangement now
whereby he can nullify sections 25 and
III Of the d;spcnsary law and retain to
himself the right to keep contraband
liquor out Of the hands of the board Of
control so that he can release it, for no
other purpose, in my opinion. than to
make votes for himself for the United
States Senate. ! have q case in point
where h" has tGiu Il sc:nH Of his bitter
est enemies.
% understand the Governor is the
trequent recipient Ot gratuitOus liquors
himself. Now isn't it obvious (wlth q
view to all these facts that he is
~ OS fCdSouS Gldu a
desi'c to strictly enforce the law :?
Now what are those reasons g.? Eviden-
tly to vent his spleen on ne and to
punish me if possible, for 40 other
reason Than that | have refused to sur
render my convictions and manhood
and toady to him. | shall always re-
fusc to go to any man on set of men
for orders, but shall always exercise
my best Judgment and prefer to be
honest III politics and refuse to perjurc
myself according to my construction
OF the 'aw) to get any man out of u
hole, even though he be Governor Of
the State.
" Especially did refuse to do this,
as part of those unlawfulIy appr0-
priatcd funds for q State exhibit at
Atlanta were used to have a steno-
graphic report made Of his speech as
an advertisement Of himself.
'While ] regret the necessity for
these statements, | shall always be
Defending myself. desire to say that
stfaeP resort to no such low down
tricks to punish tho Governor, but will
be found holding up his hands and as
sisting him so far as it lies in my
power in the enforcement Of all the
laws. With these statements | was h
my hands of the whole matter"