The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-12-30
The Coming Session.
What is Before the New
General Assembly.
DISPENSARY PROBLEM.

sembly in annual session, January IL
being the date of meeting. lnas-
much as the body is new one, com
posed very largely of new timber,
the coming session and its possibill
ties are being more largely discussed
al present than anything else in
South Carolina. The possible action
Of the body in regard to the dispen-
sary law is the feature of the session
that is receiving the greatest atten-
ton from the people as whole. On
every side the law is being discussed
extensively. and all kinds of sug-
gestions are being offered for its bet
terment
Many think that the general as
sembly will abandon the system a.
together at this session, taking the
State out of the business and going
to the licensed dispensary system
permitted by the State Constitution.
But it is hardly probable that the
body will 60 50 far at this session.
At present it looks as if the law is
going to be patched up and con-
tinued, a fair trial Of the system be
ing asked for one year at least
There can be no doubt of the fact
that great proportion of the people
of the State are now thoroughly dis
gusted with the dispensary system of
managing the traffic in liquor and are
anxious to be rid Of the white eIe-
phant. It is very likely that the
fight will be made by the prohibition
lets on the lines laid down some time
ago-the elimination of the beverage
and profit features, and the advocates
of this amendment seem to be very
hopeful of accomplishing what they
propose, but there is very little
chance for them, judging from pres
ent indications Governor Evans
has annouced that he viii! make no
recommendation as to the enforce
ment of the law or as to changes
therein, taking the position that at
the close of bis term this would be
going outside his province And
Goveraor.elect Eilerbe takes the po-
sition, as already fully explained in
the State, that it is not his province
to make recommendations, but rather
to address the people in his inaugu-
raj Thus the general assembly is
going to be left to handle the law
without suggestions. 1t is under
stood, however, that the State board
of control, at it's coming meeting,
will prepare series of recommends
tions looking to the Improvement of
the law, which will be submitted to
the Legislature with the request that
they be given careful consideration
As to what will be done with the
investigation of the dispensary re
bate scandals which have been left
for the general assembly to handle,
the State board having gone as far as
it could, of course, no one can tell
Just yet. 1t is possible that the in
vestigation viii! be pushed and made
thorough one. Some action may
be taken looking to the prevention Of
the numerous shortages among coun
ty dispensers.
The first days of the session will
be busy ones. The two houses will
have to effect their organizations and
elect officers. The house will have
to elect a speaker Speaker Gary
is standing for reelection Mr.
Jesse T Cant, of Sparta1lburg, is
opposing General Gray for the clerk
ship. There are numerous candi
dates for all the other positions As
soon as the houses have been organ
lied arrangements will be made for
the inauguration OF Governor elect
EIlerbe and the other State officials,
and General Ellerbe will deliver his
inaugural address, which is now in
course of preparation. 1t is expect
ed to be a paper pitched on a pa
triotic key and based upon broad
principles.
There are a good many elections
scheduled to take place during the
session Among these will be the
election of United States senator,
which will be mere matter of form ;
then there is the election of super
intendent of the State penitentiary
Colonel Neal. it is said, will have op-
position, but it is generally thought
that he will be re eleted.
The new county business is going
to consume much of the time of the
general assembly Salem's contest
will come up before to body, and
every effort will be made in behalf OF
the proposed new county 0l
course, Cherokee, Greenwood and
Dorchester will have to be formed.
the elections having been carried in
/ favor of those counties. Some i'm