The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1896-05-19
Low DOWN TRIBKS."
A Prominent Reformer Sails Into
Governor Evans for Ordering Bia
Beer Seized.

Mr.. Leon j.. Williams, of Edgefeld,
Is one of the most noted Ind intense
Reformers in the State, and is now a
member of the State board Of control.
Not long ago a barrel of beer was
shipped to his address at Edgefeld,
and 1T was seized by the dispensary
c~onstables, which led him to maze the
following statement:
Il was at Eogetield on last Monday,
and, much to my surprise, | learned
that q barrel Of beer, shipped to me as
a member of the State board of con-
troll, hac been seized by the consta-
bles. 1t had been shipped without my
knowledge, l suppose as samples,
since am charged with buying beer
for the State dispensary. 1t had been
1T Edgelield for two weeks.
Governor Evans went over to Edge
field, and learning that the beer was
there, ordered the constables to seize
1t. All this happened without my
knowledge. AT the same time the
beer was at Edgetield a keg of contra
band liquor was shipped there t o
another party and seized by tho con-
stables, which was released. Why
this different treatment? | am charged
with purchasing beer to supply the
people and should of course know what
L am doing, and assert that it is pro-
per and legitimate for me to receive
samples. Even If it is improper, | am
not responsible for shipments made to
me without my knowledge.
Nov the Governor has frequently
ordered seized liquors released (some
of 1t consigned to his relatives), which
was shipped contrary to law and
clearly contraband and forfeited to the
State. He has frequently petitloned
the board OF control to release seized
liquor, and all these releases deprive
1T Is nearly always consigned TO enemies
of the ~dispensary law.
He has made an arrangement now
whereby he can nullify sections 25 and
81 OF the dispensary law and retain to
himself the right to keep c%ontraband
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 a case in point
where he has tanned some OF his bitter
est enemies.
81 understand the Governor is the
frequent recipient OF gratuitous liquors
himself. Now isn't it obvious with q
view to all these facts) that he is
prompted by other reasons than Il
desire to strictly enforce the law ?
Now what are those reasons? Eviden-
tly to vent his spleen on me and to
punish me If possible, for no other
reason than that | have refused to sur
render my convictions and manhood
and toady to him. | shall always re-
fuse to go to any man or set of men
for orders, but shall always exercise
my best judgment and prefer to be
honest In politics and refuse to periure
myself according to my construction
o. the law) to get any man out of a.
hole, even though he be Governor of
the State.
Especially did [ refuse to DO this.
as q part OF those unlawfully appro.
priated funds for q State exhibit at
Atlanta were used to have O. stepo-
graphic report made Of his speech az
an advertisement of himself.
While | regret the necessity for
these statements, / shall always be
defending myself. l desire to say that
] shall resort to no such low down
tricks to punish the Governor, but win
be found holding up his hands and as
s,sting him 30 far as it lies la my
power in tho enforcement OF all the
laws. With these statements / wash
my hapds of the whole matter"