The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-09-01
Bahr is Suspended
Gov. Ellerbe for the Present
Gives No Reason.

J
made the official announcement that be
had suspended Chief Constable Bahr.
who has been 10 charge Of the con-
ssabrlasy in Charleston since the pres
ept administration took charge of the
affairs of the State. The governor
stated that he had been suspended until
full in Investigation could be nade into
certain matters. When asked. he said
that he did not care to discuss the rea-
sons for the suspension Of Chief Babr
for the present; he simply wished to
make the announcement The sus-
pended chief arrived in Columbia last
nighs and will have talk with the
governor to day. Governor Ellerbe
says that until the investigation refer
red to has been held and 6na! action
has been taken in Bahr's case, the COO
stables in Charleston will be required
to report directly to the governors
cfflce, when they will receive their in
structions.
OF course. while the governor would
not talk about the cause of the suspen-
sion, reasons therefor could be heard
elsewhere. It appears that Bahr has
been doing too much talking through
the newspapers down in Charleston,
assuming to be the mouthpiece Of Gov
ernor Ellerbe. He had, it is said,
been warned about this several times.
Again, it is said that there is no love
lost between Bahr and Chief Martin of
the metropolitan police. They arc
each charged With the enforcement of
the dispeusary law in Charleston and
experience has taught that nothing can
be accomplished. when the heads of
such departments are fighting each
other.
1t may be that the encounter that
Bahr had with Editor Moore of The
Critic in the Charleston Critic Office
last week has something TO do With the
governors action. Editor Moore, in a
strong open letter. brought the matter
aud certain charges that he had pre-
viously made against Bahr to the gov
erpor's attention.
GOV ELLERBE ON THE LIQUOR PROBLEM.
But the suspension Of Bahr was not
tne only matter of general interest in
dispensary circles yesterday. Govern
OF Elierbe gave the representatives OF
the press an interview 10 regard 70 the
liquor situation in South Carolina
He said: Il oavc been very aoxious
to see the alspensery Law given fair
trial then if it don's pan out the peo-
pie can abolish It, | believe that the
dispensary law IS good liquor law aud
that the majority Of the people sre 10
favor Of it. and that it is here to stay
81 am glad 90 see that good many of
tue towns throughout the State are very
much Of posed to these original package
stores aud are passing ordinances re-
curing licenses, privilege taxes. one
half OF the profits, etc -
When asked about the movement Of
the prohibitionists Governor Ellerbe
said: 81 don't think that it will amouot to
anything. AS between prohibition and
high license, think the people would
vote for probition, under the high
license system it being impossible to
have the Law enforced. The incentive
to make money would be too great and
there are so many ways in which to
evade such law. | don't see Why the
State legislature. at its coming session,
should make any changes save some
ellgbt amendments 10 the present law.
7 will make some recommendations in
regard to these necessary amendmsots,
BIT I do not care to say anything about
them just at present"
10 all that the governor bad to say
be spoke just as if the United States
court and Judge Simonson's decisions
did not exist.
TO FIGHT THE RAILRADs.
Governor Eilerbe prefaced the talk
given above with the announcement
! tba. the State proposed forthwith to
institute proceedings in the State courts
against the railroad companies hauling
packages into the State. The actions
will be brought under certain sections
of the dispensary law which the State
| claims have no. been effected by Judge
SimoDtou's decision. To speaking Of
the original package business, Govern
or Ellerbe said .'No man who has any
respect for himself. it seems to me.
woald engage in business prohibited
by the laws of his Sta,e.''
The governor intimated that these
proceedings would be instituted imme-
diately 1t may be that the State.
when the proceedings are started and
The roads show disposition to 60 into