The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-10-13
The Charleston Post.

The Charleston POSI-.
Our respected contemporary, the Charieston
Post, after quoting an extract from the fress
and Banner. says:
"We might retaliate in kind upon the Press
and Banner by saying that as deterinlneo as
is the state to prevent dictation OF its allalrs
by Charleston, Charleston Is quite as Hrin IN
her Intention OF preserving her own rights.
These rights have been so abused and out
ragged by Ellerbe in the metropolitan police
indeed il she did otherwise than repudiate at
the first opportunity the Governor who MADE
his office reproach by enforcing upon The
community an inlquity which can never be
justified.
But answering the Press and Banner with
arguments Of TACT we would call attention to
the contrast between the a! !most open encour-
agement given to the "blind tigers oy Cover
nor Elerbe's metropolitan police. and the
rigid enforcement of The State liquor law pro
posed by Chief Boyle Of the city police. I'm
der the old regime the Illicit sale OF lquor
fiouriShed in the city contributing largely 70
the Individual support of some members OF
the metropolitan police, delightful arrange
menL for mutual benefit having existed be-
tween the law guardians ana The law break
erS. ~ -
Chief Boyle has stated that The "blind II.
gers must go, but he has not rested on decla-
ration. He has visited great number OF sus.
pected places and given them warning that
they must cease the sale OF liquor. These
warnings had better be respected or the jais
will have some bartenders as inmates. The
city police will enforce the law as we'll as IL
can be en- forced In Charleston, without claim
that there will he no liquor sold In the city,
for absolute prohibition OF Illicit selling all
know 10 be impossible.
The metropolitan police methods were quite
different. The State force was wont to de-
clare, not only that no liquor should be sold,
but that none was being sold while about Two
hundred and fty saloons were IN n o9,d h opera
politan police but not for the purpose OF
warning them that they must close. Rather
were these visits made frequently 10 arrange
We are making no boasts as 10 what the
city police will do In the enforcement OF the
LIQUOR law. We have declared often that In
our opinion the liquor trade could not be
completely suppressed In Charleston. but we
feel sure that our city police will make an ac-
tual effort at enforcement that Will! coniine
the Illicit trade within very narrow limits. In
stead OF encouraging and abettlng III III met
ropolitan fashion.
Charleston will not make war on Governor
Ellerbe because OF his fidelity In trying
to enforce the laws Of the State" Charleston
will try TO en- force the laws and will repudiate
Ellerbe for the miserable parody he enacted
and because he toyed with hign principles
and robbed community OF It's liberty.
The Press and Banner Is sorry to see Char
lesion array herself against the rest Of the
State. We are sorry that the people OF the
city Of Charleston do not recognize as citi-
zens, those OF us who live outside Of Colum-
bia, and are not included within the corpo-
rate limits of the City by the Sea. We are
sorry that Charleston seems to regard herself
as the State.
In our remarks, we were sincere in express
ing the wish that the city and the rest OF the
State might be united, and between whom
there should be no contention.
TT Charleston oheys Las of he State
and will only regard the rest of US as people
as citizens-possessing equal rights, we will
be united people, and Charleston will have
the love and respect Of all of US.
The talk of metropolitan police, and "out.
rage" and "iniquity," we believe, meets with
no response In the hearts Of the people gener-
ally. If we mistake not the newspapers OF
Charleston openly defled the State OF South
Carolina to enforce her laws within that
city. AS proof that this open defiance was
based upon a determination to carry out the
threat, the United States whiskey licenses
would fully prove.
But, neighbor, suppose we bury the past.
and let the city of Charleston and the rest OF
the State become reconcied? Can't We have
peace? You have been relieved of the met
ropolitan police. Why try to widen the
breach between the city and the people?
Viewed from our standpoint and accepting
the statements OF the Charleston press as
true, that city has o well grounded grievance
against the metropolitan police. AS we un-
derstand 1t, all this struggle has been TO Sc
cure for the city liberal supply of liquor.
The papers say that there has been little or
diminutlon Of the United States licenses, and
the police didn't bother many of the bibulous
population.
But If you want to run whiskey candi.
date against Ellerbe, we are ready for the
fray. The people of South Carolina can de-
eide whether the rule Of the foreign liquor
dealer is 10 obtain In South Carolina. The
people can determine whether they want the
State OF South Carolina humiliated by for
eigners who wish TO retail liquor. The people
may determine whether Charleston shall
with the assistance Of the liquor dealers-as-
sumo the mastery Of this State by forcing H.
quor upon us.
II is Charlestons privilege 10 organize
war on the sobriety Of this people. If so, that
city is powerful. 1t will have at It's back
money OF foreign liquor dealers, and 1t will
have the touch of the elbow of the saloon
men Of the State. 1t may also have as allies
and supporters. alleged temperance men,
who-instead OF strengthening the restraints
now put upon the sale of liquor would re-
move the law to break which more liquor
money has been spent than has been expend-
ed against all the prohibition laws of the
world.