The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-09-08
Police to Enforce Law.
The municipalities Will be
Charged With the En-
forcement of the Dis
pensary Law After
Oct. l.

OOiuWolo3 OCPo. - CS oooOuoSS
meut vas made BY Governor El'erbe
to-day that the entire constabularly
would be disbanded on October l, aud
instead of the State authorities employ
ing forty or fifty men to see that the dis
pensary law is enforced, the municipal.
tiles will be expected to enforce the
Law, and have the police officers make
seizures and the like
It is the purpose Of the governor to
retain a very few men to look after
the rural districts where policemen
are unknown quantities. So, the towns
aod cities aIl over the State are expect
ed to rigidly enforce the law.
Whether the constabularly is to be
doue away with in order that the law
may be popularized. or whether the
competition of the original package
agents preclude the authorities from
paying the salaries of the copstables.
is matter the public Gao best judge.
Ooe thing is certain, the recent decls-
ion Of Judge Simonton allowing the
sale of wbiskey 10 original packages
by any individual has been severe
blow to the dispensary law. 1t is a
puuciure because competition is let in
It been carefully considered by the
authorities aud 90 doubt Governor Eli
lerbe decided on his course 10 doing
away with the constabulary in towns
and cities. after mature considera-
ton
The chief executive told of bis deter
mipasiou 10 ali "of-hand" way. and
what be said was !:
"On October ! I will withdraw all
constabes from the towos aud cities
of the State. a few.men will be em
ployed io the rural districts to enforce
the Law because 10 such vicinities there
are no policemen. The mooosbiers in
the upper part Of the State will have
to be watched and. especially, in ssch
quarters men should be stationed.
1.-The enforcement of the law 10 the
,owus aud cities. will be left entirely 20
the municipal authorities. and they will
be expected to enforce the provisions Of
the law | ask their support and Co
operation in the matter as no constable
Who is stationed in rural district will
make aoy arrest or seizure in a town or
city"
..Well. governor, suppose the town
auth critics are dereict 10 their duty
towards the law, what then?" was
asked.
The chief executive replied by say
ing that he was making 90 threats in
the matter. but that be felt that the
municipalities would adhere to the Law
and strictly carry out its provisions.
The governor said that policemen
would be expected to watch the rail-
road depots, and seize all oontrsband
stuff.
In speaking about the cost for the
maintenance of the constabulary, Gov
error Ellerbe stated that last year it
cost the state S52,O36,66. and when
the pc. plan is put into operation. this
enormous expense would be practically
wiped out. 1.-The expense caa be saved
aud the Law better enforced with the
sympathy of the towns. )" added the
governor
.sI give this notice. continued the
chief executive, "of my intention to dis
band the corstabulary 90 Octo6er l, at
this time, so the forty odd men DOW on
the force may seek other employment ;"
The governor was questioned about
the constables who are DOW stationed 10
Charleston, and he said every member
of the constsbulary as now constituted
would be dismissed on October l, and
that it would be incumb bent upon the
city authorities of Charleston as we'll as
every other city or town in the state to
thoroughly enforce the law.
Ex-Cbief State Constable Babr.
whose official headed fell 10 the govern
or's basket several days ago. can con-
graduate himself upon the fact that he
will not be without company on Ocio-
Der l.
It has bees rumored in Columbia for
the past several days that the remaining
six Charleston aldermen, who have
been classed as recalcitrant aldermauic
members, have recently signed the
pledge required Of that aldermaoio
board as prerequisite to removal Of
the system, and that Governor E.
lerbe, in keeping With his open avowed
purpose, will issus proclamation or.
deripg the removal of the system from
Charleston, and restore that city to
What has go much been conteDded-
local self government.
The information regarding this mat
ter has not been officially stated, but it
is told BY responsible Columbian who
knows whereof be speaks.
Whether the governors announce