The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-09-01
THE FIGHT RENEWED.
THE PROHlBITIONISTS TAKE THE
FIELD AGAIN.

FIELD AGAIN.
War A Against L quors- Circulars and Peti-l
tIons Being Sent All Over the state-Ana
Address to Follow Soon,
The State prohibition executive CONF
mittee has set to work with view OF
having such pressure brought to bear
upon the general assembly at Its ses-s
sion next winter that the body will
have to seriously consider the passing
of an absolute prohibition law.
The prohibitionists are convinced
tb&t now is the time for them to make
their fgnt. They have never been sat-
isied since the people of the State ak.
pressed themselves in favor of absolute
prohibition at the ballot box and got
instead of prohibition act the dispen-
sarg law.
The State Prohibition executive conn
miItes has commenced work in very
earDest manner. It is composed OF
Capt. l. D. Childs, chairman; T. ].
LeMotte, secretary; R. M. Adam, O.
D. Stanley, J. E. Brunson, F. H.
Hyatt and the Rsvs. J. L. Silly and
J. g. Dals. Some days ago the com.
mittee opened its campaign by send
ing to all parts of the State copies Of
the circular letter and blank petition
given below. Mr.. LaMotte Thursday
stated that the committee had sent out
up to date not less than 1000 copies Of
the letter and the petition, and in
few days strong address will be is.a
sued.
Here is copy of the letter:
Dear Sir: The executive committee,
after a careful survey OF the conditions
existing in our State, regard 1t q ia
yorable opportunity 70 urge the
claims of prohibition to the attention
of our people. The existing system,
inaugurated in direct opposition to the
expressed will of the majority, having
utterly failed to meet the expectations
of its friends, and proven successful
as a promoter of lawlessness, fraud
and Cline, has sealed its own doom,
and the next legislature will be called
upon to deal with the problem. q
1t seems to us that it is our duty to-
make immediate and earnest effort to
concentrate what we believe to be the
sentiment of large majority OF our:
people.
1t is evident to us that the friends Of
the liquor traffic are taking the most
active and aggressive measures to-
pre-occupy the field thrown open BY
the recent dispensary administration
and the decisions with reference there.
to, and if we are to hope for any im.s.
provement in the conditions which.
confront us, we must be up and doing
in the cause which we believe to bes
the cause of right and of God.
We have therefore determined to-
send out petitions to be signed by the:
voters of every precinct who favor our
views, asking the general assembly;
for such legislation as is needed TO-
prevent the terrible evils foreshadow-
ed by the continuance of the sale OF
liquor for beverage purposes.
We would suggest that wherever it
is possible to do SO, public meetings
should be called and addresses on the.
subject of temperance and prohibition
made by the best speakers available.
We confidently ask your active per-
sonal cooperation in securing names
to these petitions. Please send list
of such friends as will assist in the
work of securing additional signatures.
Please find enclosed q return envel-
ope for communication with its secre-
tary. Respectfully.
L. D. Childs, Chairman.
Thomas j. LaMotte, Secretary.
The heading OF the petition reads as
follows:
petition.
"The undersigned, voters of --,:
South Carolina, believing that the
continuance of the sale Of alcoholic
liquors as beverage within this State,
under the sanction of its laws, is the
source of the pauperism, misery and
crime which exists, a positive hind
rance to all material and industrial
prosperity, and a foe to morality and
religion, would respectfully petition
the general assembly at its next ses.
sion to enact such legislation as will
prohibit the manufacture and sale OF
intoxicating liquors as beverage.
The prohibitionists believe that they
have the same majority of the people
at their back as when the vote was
taken on the subject and they propose
to make au earnest fight from trst to
Loot