The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-08-02
PR0HIS TO MAKE A HOT FIGHT.
STATUS OF the DEsPENSAnV IN
SOUTH CAROLINA POLITICS.

ton Vote Which May Control EIec-
lions seems IncIIucd To High Ii
cenSe.
Columbia, S. C, Aug, 1.-Win the dis
pensary be a factor in politics at the cleo
ton next summer? That is a question
which politicians are asking and which
those opposed to the system are receiving
an unsatisfactory reply.
In South Carolina politics. however. it
is difficult to forecast month in advance.
and many things may occur within a year
to upset present calculations. The gen.
eral impression, however, is that the dis
pensary will not again be in politics.
II is somewhat significant that in the
senatorial campaign which Mr.. S G. May
field. who has heretofore been an ardent
advocate of the dispensary, and is lead
ing reformer is running on an anti-d.s-
pensary platform and speaking against
the system daily. not one OF the other
candidates has a word TO say in support
of the system, nor has anything bur con-
demnation been expressed for the metro
politan police. Vas all of the candidates
are reformers and as advocacy of the dis
pensary would have secured a majority of
almost any crowd in the state two years
ago, the fact that its advocacy is stunned
by politicians to whom every vote counts,
is a fair index of popular feeling on that
question.
In statement recently made by Con-
gresham stanyarn Wilson of Spartan
burg, he clearly indicated his belief that
the dispensary was dead issue. The fail
ure of congress to pass the Latimer bill
was. to his mind, a Knockout blow, as
the dispensary could not meet the compe-
tition which Judge Simonton's decisions
permit.
Gov. Ellerbe has been advised to call the
legislature together and ask that body to
relieve him of the responsibility of CON
Quoting an institution in which the man
agement of which he has been so handi-
capped by the courts, but his excellency
seems disposed TO fight to the last ditch
Senator Tillman has until very recently,
spoken hopefully of maintaining the dis
pensary. and so long as he favors the
fight. it is hazardous for any state officer
TO propose a surrender.
However, it is privately admitted by a
ported the dispensary that the next gem
eral assembly which meets here In the lat
ter part of February will inact a high Ii
cense law in conformity with the provis-
ions of the constitution, which prohibits
liquor being sold In less quantities than
half pints, or to be consumed on the
premises where sold.
The belief by politicians that a high Ii
cense law will be enacted at the next ses-
sion of the legislature, is indicative that
the temper of the people has changed. for
those men who will make the laws next
January are the same who were elected
last year. The dispensary was not an is
sue then, but it was generally understood
that it was to 60"
But there are many things which may
occur In the next six months to change the
situation, and not among the least Of these
is the active work of prohibtionsts They
are up and doing in every corner. They
recognize the fact that in the fight which
is bound to come when men on each side
will be unwilling to surrender 70 former
bitter opponents, the prohibition plank
may be a compromise. And they are or
ganizing and will be ready to show a stron-
ger front than ever before.
If the next Legislature should enact a
prohibition law, the gubernatorial and leg
islative election in the summer will un-
questionably be on that issue-high license
or prohibition. In the present state of
feeling as to taxation there is little doubt
as to the issue. High license with re-
strcted bar privileges, adding $4,000 or
$500 900 to the annual revenue of the state,
would probably prevail.
If the next legislature does not act on
the question, of course the gubernatorial
and legislative elections will be on that
single issue. IL is impossible TO say now
where the prohibition vote will go-to the
dispensary or high license. 1t Will prob
ably control the election. Some of the
leading prohibitionists who nave express
ed themselves seem inclined to high IL
cense.
II Is probable that the experience Of the
dispensary has weakened the faith of a
great many tee totalers In the belief that
prohibition prohibits The failure OF the
constabulary TO check Illicit sales OF liquor
has given some practical insight into the
difficulties.
Since the decisions of Judge Simonton
have been In force active opposition TO the
dispensary has materially decreased In
some quarters. Many of those who were
bitterly opposed to the system would adj
vocate II under slightly changed condi-
lions. But with those conditions-free i'm
portation and elimination OF the constable
feature-the system would probably be too
expensive for the state. It's opponents do
not deny that the early closing and elm
nation OF the treating feature Of the bars
Is commendatory. They hold. however.
that the same advantages will hold under
the constitutional restrictions on high H.
cense-whch pr0ksbits retail selling.
drinking or premises and late hours
Under the decisions rendered by Judge
Smonton the dspensary Is forced 20 20
into competition with manufacturers. II
Judge Simonton Is sustained. and he can
not be reversed for eight or nine months
every town IN the state Will have
liquor house competing with the dispen-
sary. Congressman Wilson says they have
made little money with the monopoly. ana
they cannot stand competition. and Mr..
Wilson has always been an ardent dig
pensary man.
TO sum up the situation n the legisla-
turo AZ the next session passes high
license law, the liquor question rs likely
to suddenly drop out Of politics la South
Carolina II any other action Is taken II
will be- the issue In the elections next sum
mer. From present sentiment IL ~ prob
able that high license viii prevail But
tho prohibitlonists will make the hardest
fight ever made In this state