The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-09-14
The Dispensary in Poll
tics.
Its Power and Use as a Ma.
chine is Becoming Ap.
parent.

Columbia, Sept. 6.-Here are just
few s,raws, which 60 to show how we'll
some of the one-time friends Of the dis
pensary are pleased with the ins aud
outs of the system.
To-day MIR Epton was seated in the
Conptrcller Geaeral's Office. the office
be had hoped TO occupy as the regular
nominee of the party He thinks Mr.
Dcrham's majority could be reduced by
careful study of the figures. but that
the changes would not be sufficient to
change the result, 80 ho has given Up
the contest. Like most men who do
not win he figured on the causes. and
said that he was clearly satisfied that
the dispensarv system was responsible
for his defeat 1t was a boomerang for
him, for be bad been one of i;s we'll
wishers, if the State could not have
prohibition, and because of the fact that
his candidacy was endorsed by the
Prohibisiopists be had the opposition of
the dispensary. He said that, Of
course, those 10 favor of that system
had perfect right to work aud vote
against him, bat &c did no: think it
right, feir or proper for State constables,
paid by the State and supposed to be
working for the State, to be doing
regular work against bis candidacy.
Mr.. Epton said that he did not like to
talk about such things. but he was
sa,isfe'' that at least two constables,
paid by the State. have worked hard
against him iu Spartanburg Couuty
especially, as veil as in Laurens and
Greenyille. He said that if the re-
ports of tbs constable, who was active
10 Spartanburg, we're examined, it
would be found that he did not do much
less than 60 from place to place, and
the results have followed. He said that
precincts 10 ais own county that never
went against him before cast votes
against him this time, through the work
Of the dispeDsary people.
Phere vas another candidate in the
room at the same time, who would have
added me, too, bus be would have
said so right heartily had he been talk
ing for publicatiou-but be was win
ner.
So much for the system, which makes
these charges possible.
There seemed to be some surprise
to-day at the prompt reply Of Mr..
Featberstone to the request Of Governor
ElIerbe that be specify. The surprise
was in some quarters only, aud there ls
a murmur that there is more behind.
Governor Ellerbe wants additional
facts, and to-day gave out the following
statement:
NOT TO HIM, PERHAPS FOR HIM.
Iu reference to Mr.. Featherstone's
article have DO desire to enter into a
newspaper controversy. [ affirm that
no whiskey vas used By me in my
campaigu, and if any wbiskey was
shipped by liquor houses. who sell to
the dispensary, to any parties, it was
done without my knowledge Or COO
sent. [ think it i'll becomes my op-
ponent to attempt to connect my name,
by insiuua.ion, with the use of whiskey
when he knows that the wbiskey refer
red to was not scot me. [ ask Mr..
Fea.berstone. in justice to me, TO give
the panes of the parties to whom the
whiskey was shipped and anything else
be may know about the matter. The
consciousness of my rectitude makes me
fear nothing my opponents may bring
out against me.
As to the Laureus shipments it seems
to be generally known at the State
House which of the candidates received
the shipments. Ooe of them has been
defeated and another is to run in the
second primary.-Newe and Courier.