The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-05-13
Glow Down Tricks. .
Mr.. L. J. Williams Remarks
as to Governor Evans.

Mr. L. j. Williams of the State
board of control was yesterday asked
by a representative of The State
about the seizure Of his beer at
EdgeGeld last week. In reply he
made the following statement:
81 was at Edgefeld on last Mon
day, and, much to my surprise, |
learned that barrel of beer, shipped
to me as member of the State board
of control, had been seized by the
constables 1t had been shipped
without my knowledge, | suppose as
samples, since l am charged with
buying beer for the State dispensary.
Ithad been at Edge6eld for two
weeks.
"Governor Evans went over to
Edgefeld, and learning that the beer
was there, ordered the constables to
seize it. All this happened without
my knowledge. At the same time
the beer was at Edgefeld keg of
covtraband liquor was shipped there
TO another party and seized by the
constables, which was released. Why
this different treatment? | am charged
with purchasing beer to supply the
people aud should of course know
what / am doing, and assert that it
IS proper and legitimate for me to re-
ceive samples. Even if it is improper,
| am not responsible for shipments
made to me without my knowledge.
"Now the governor has frequently
ordered seized liquors released (some
of it consigned to his relatives),
which was shipped contrary TO law
and clearly contraband and forfeited
to the State. He has frequently
petitioned the board of control to
release seized liquor, and all these
releases deprive the State of valuable
property !; besides it is nearly always
consigned to enemies of the dispen-
sary law.
"He has made an arrangement now
whereby he can nullify sections 25
and 81 Of the dispeusary law aud re
tain to himself the right to keep con-
traband 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 the
United States senate. | have case
in point where he has tanned some Of
his bitterest enemies
"I understand +he governor is the
frequent recipient of gratuitous
liquors himself Now isn't it obvious
with a view to all these facts) that
he is prompted by other reasons than
a desire to strictly enforce the law !
Now what are those reasons? Evi
IDENTIFY to vent his spleen on me and
to punish me if possible, for no
OF .er reason than that | have refused
to surrender my convictions and man
hood and toady to him. l shall al
ways refuse to go to any man OF set
of men for orders, but shall always
exercise my best judgment and prefer
to be honest in politics and refuse to
perure myself according to my CON
s,ruction of the law to get amy man
out of hole, even though he be
governor of the State.
ESPECIALLY did l refuse to do this,
as part of those uniawfuily appro-
priated funds for State exhibit at
Atlanta were used to have steno-
graphic report made of his speech as
an advertisement Of himself
"WhiIe | reg:e: the necessity for
these statements. shall always be
found defending myself. desire to
say that | shall resort to no such low
down tricks to punish the governor,
but will be found holding up his
hands and assisting him SO far as it
lies in my power in the enforcement
of all the laws. With these state
ments wash my hand Of the whole
matter columbia State.