The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1898-01-19

decision viii be, in time to iegislate IN
accordance Herewith.
It cannot be doubted that large ma
iority OF our people favor the dispense
ry law, if it can be secured against the
interference of the Federal Courts.
Three successive General Assemblies
have declared in favor of the dispeusa-
ry as the best method of dealing with
the liquor question. Our representa-
tiyes in Congress are at work seeking
to secure additional Legislation for the
protection of the State against the in
tsrfe. Q ce of the United States judiciary
The United States Senate has already
passed bill oy unanimous vote giving
the complete control of intoxicants to
the States, and it is hoped that the
House also will pass it. But We must
have Immediate relief from the present
intolerable conditions. Free liquor,
with its accompanying increase of
drunkenness aud consequent increase
of crime must at all hazards be got rid
of. As have said, license law will
not secure immunity from this evil.
Judge Simon9on has destroyed, along
with the dispensary, the license system
when run for profit. What, then, is
left to do? We must either enact pro-
hibition or continue the dispensary
system without the profit feature.
Many-a majority I believe-do not
think prohibition is practicable, aud
many have approved the dispensary
system because of the profit feature.
We can certainly get rid of the ''origi-
nal package" dealers and their demor-
slizing traffic by continuing the dis
pensary shorn of all profits and admin
istered only as a police regulation TO
control and reduce the liquor evil. Inc
Federal Judge will have neither occasion
nor excuse for his ever ready ln!unc-
tons, if that system shall be lnaugu.
rated, unless he shall again reverse his
own previous decision. Inns, then,'
ep, ears 10 me tie le5t ind almost tne
the only thing lett us 10 DO. we mlSn'
try this policy for a year, and next WIN
ter, after Congress shall have acted, OF
failed to act and after the Supreme
Court at Washington shall have de-
cided what is to become OF the state
power to control liquor under the VIII
son bill o. 1890. we shall be IN a posi-
ton to take final action.
But as facts speak louder than words,
I will give the testimony of ministers
of the gospel in the State as to the e1-
feet of the dispensary law on the moIais
of the people and on the reduction
of drunkenness among them. Out Oh
four hundred and sixty-three answers
received from the ministers OF the State
to questions submitted to them IN a
circular letter, dated October lst, 1891,
three hundred and twenty-fcur reported
q decrease in drinking of forty-slx ana
one-third per cent, and correspond
ing decrease in drunkenness since the
dispensary law went into effect. Sixty
nine reported on increase in drinking
of ifty-four and three-fourths per cent.
Yet, in the face of such testimony as to
the good results of the system, Judge
Simonton declares it is not poilce
measure. - Let US, therefore,
do what is left US, and wait for action
at Washington.
Public Printing.
During the year the Office OF pubic
printer having been declared vacant,
the committee provided for by law, con-
sisting of the Governor and the chair.
men of the committees on printing OF
your honorable bodies, met and elected
Mr.. Charles B. Calvo public printer.
This committee thought the State might
have been saved several thousand dol
lars had the act provided for, or per-
mitted, competitive bids. The price to
be paid for the work is fixed in the act
and the committee found itself com
PEELED, under the provisions OF the law
to make the appointment. L recon-
mend that the act berepealed and that
q committee from each of your honora-
Bile bodies be selected to let the con-
tract for public printing at competitive
prices. / further recommend that the
act fix the maximum price to be
paid for the work so as not
to exceed the price being paid now un-
der the existing law.
Direct Tax.
There are So, 130. 70 in the State trea-
sury to the credit of the direct tax
fund, which, under an act approved
oath December, 1891, is available for
public purposes. [ recommend that
you pass Joint resolution authorizing
the State treasurer to transfer this ac-
count to the general account.
Special Legislation.
The number of special statutes should
be reduced by the enactment Of general
laws, embodying ample provisions and
remedies for the relief of persons, cor
porations and communities, relative to
subjects of general character and to
put an end to the present food Of spe-
cial legislation. AS it is easier and IN
some cases cheaper to apply to the Gen
eral Assembly for relief rather than to
the courts or other tribunals provided
by general law, the legislature IS being,
upon various excuses. subjected to con-
slant pressur to enact special laws for
the relief of individuals. Indeed, even
constitutional provisions intended to
limit such special legislation have often
been evaded under the guise OF So
called general law. In the constitution
OF 1895 there are express provisions pro-
hibiting special and locallegislation by
the General Assembly. Prior to 1895,
during each Legislative session a great
deal of time was consumed in the con-
sideration of such special legislation,
at great expense to the State. 1t was to
check this growing evil that these pro-