The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1897-03-16
LAURENs, s. c., Mar. lo, 1897.

LAURENS, s.. c., Mar. 16,1S97.
For some days, His E~xcellency, the
Governor, has had under consideration
the question OF removal Of the Metro
politan police from the city OF Char
lesion, and restoring home.rule to that
oft ~beleagured city. Ordinarily 1t
Of that town alone, but as 1t happens
to be the only community In the State,
and perhaps in the wide, wide, world,
whore a municipal government Is i'm
posed byfa foreign Power, as a South
Carolina paper we cannot but feel
some interest in the matter. BY the
same token, the principle involved, and
the practice, might invade u own
hallowed %precints, The decision in
the Charleston case Gov. Ellerbe seems
to make hinge upon the unanimous
choice Of the council of that city. The
point rests with the Governor
and we are persuaded hat he
has and is carefully considering
the case. 1t Is a matter of adj
m~inistration entirely with his Ex-
cellency. On him rests the response
bility and none else can bear or share
it. The body Of the clergy Of that city
has taken an interest in the matter,
but as we understand, the Governor
very properly, regards their opinions,
as he would those Of ungowned citi-
vnnc A. 1ocf hfo. Evoo1loroy oo,,.
to make the matter turn upon the
point-if or not the dispensary laws OF
the State will be enforced by the local
government, headed by the Mayor
But this is a provision Of the real is
sue. Every community is entitled to
police itself-the principle involved is
one OF home rule. The plea that So
ciety is being corrupted and immor-
ality and wickedness encouraged and
countenanced, is no ground to hinge
tyranny upon; the argument OF the end
justifying the means Is the machiavel-
liam argument OF ~princes--we must do
a wrong that good may come will hold
with no moral code--Will never hold
with those who are worth governing
In this or any other State. It may not
be expected that the dispensary law
will escape violation in Charleston or
in Laurens. Where the opportunity
for its violation Is good, as in the bor-
der counties of the State, there the
disregard OF the law will be most
fragrant. So will it be in q city with
It's mixed elements Of population. The
issue involves a principle vital to the
liberties of the citizens. We think
this reasoning sound and safe, even
II drunkenness should be q fraction
increased in one community in South
Carolina. You should not educate even
the community of Charleston to sub
NIT to wrong. We are aware that
there is some little se~ntimentality
about making Charleston pass under
the yoke because the people Of Green
wood have to stand square to the law;
but Greenwood, Spartanburg, Green
est communities, and their proudest
sons, drink blind tiger liquors day af-
ter day. Stand by the right, though
the Heavens fall. We are not a great
and leading State, as New York and
Pennsylvania but we might set them
the example Of being a free, brave,
and just people.
Judge Mackey's claim upon the
State for prosecuting the States claim
against the General Government for
occupation of the Citadel buildings
by Federal troops was referred to a
commission consisting OF the Governor,
the Attorney General and the Comp
troller General. Their report al
lowed the claim for $4,000.
***
Congress convened in extraordinary
session on yesterday pursuant to the
Presidents Proclamation. 1t is pro-
posed to put a tariff on sugar which
will raise a revenue Of twenty millions.
A big tariff will also be put on WOOL
All the same, the South will stick
to cotton. That Is an article which
can take care of itself.
~
And now they are saying that Cleve-
land retired standing on the same
platform on'which he was elected; that
his party drifted away from him and
grew as it went. That there was no
room for Cleveland to grow was mani
fest from the jump. He wighed 250
and the platform became much ram
ahaokle6
One South Carolinian has recently
accepted the rank of Major. There is
danger Of our people growing modest
in "grand old South Caroliny." 1t
should be looked after.
**&
BE careful OF 'taking chances" on
the Corbit and Fitsimmons mill which
Is to be pulled off" tomorrow.
Swapping Horses.