The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-01-18

erno- E!ierbs,s handwriting The
date was wrong-one day behind.
It was not as precise a pledge as !
would have dictated, but whatever Of
vagueness there might be in the
phrase. ALLOW each county to settle
the liquor question for ITSELF was
Offset by the Initial statement, / fully
concur in yeur view as to the best
solution of the liquor question. |
knew, and ii was matter of public
knowledge and record, that Mr..
Weston's view vas the same as m2
own that be favored county choice,
between the dispensary, high license
and prohibition.
s.While T did not have any confidence
in Governor Ellerbe's simple word. |
did ooe believe he would dare to incur
the obliquy Of exposure for violating
this pledge, snd I shougbs I had him
fast. AS Mr. Weston was going that
afternoon to Charleston. and wished to
use the original to secure votes for the
governor there. I took copy Of the
letter. on his promise to haed me the
original on his return. He did
return it, and I bave kept it in my
pocket most of the time since. ! must
CONFESS that The governors prompt
compliance With my ul.imatuu was not
al.ogether gratifying. for had thought
the matter over, aud concluded that to
carry out nag part Of the agreement
would subjecs nae to much criticism,
and, perhaps. suspicion of my motives.
and that I wonld have to withhold my
justification until the Legislature met.
90 this account half regretted nay
impulsiveness, which bad entailed upon
me a severe ordeal But the thing was
done, and I went to work in good faith
to carry out my part of the compact,
having the satisfaction of feeling that !
had acted wholly for the public good
The next mornisg the State contained
q sigoed editorial urging high license
voters to support Ellefbe. and each day.
uosil the election, the paper did It's
best for him.
I did NOT see Gov. Ellerbe from the
time returned from Cuba until some
three seeks after bis nomination by the
second primary. He had called at my
Office when was ont. and had sent me
messages asking ms to visit him 80 |
went one day TO his Office at she State
house
After 40 exchange Of civilisies he
asked my opin;on Of the ciasse in the
State constitution permitting the issue
OF licenses for the sale Of liquor. saying
that according to that clause all liquors
sold uoder high license would have to
be bought from the State dispeDssry. l
aDalyzed tue section and showed that it
could bear DO such Interpretation. he
persisted la his claim, however. and |
realized that he was trying to hnd a
loopbole oy which TO escape the re-
demption Of his pledge This realisation
angered me SO much that could hardly
trust myself to speak. / paced fleming
up and dowo the executive chamber.
and 6nal!y told him that | vas in no
mood to be dallied with in that fashion !;
.ha: if he intended TO buuoo me as sew
eral newspapers hsd predicted he would
do be might rest assured shas would
publish she pledge aud show up the
whole affair. Then I started out, but
as hsd uy hand 90 the door knob he
called me back aud offered to leave the
Interpretation of the clause to any law
yer I would select. proposed Cnief
Justice McIver. but he objected. |
then suggested Mr.. r W. Shsad and
Gen. Leroy F. Youmsns. aud be
choose MIR. shand and said he would
submit the question to him. Weeks
sfterward ! questioned Mr. shand. and
be told me that the governor bad not
said word to him about it
The main issue then came up. after
some talk, aud Gov. Ellerbe bsrefacedly
denied that he bad made auy agreement
whatever. Il had this letter 10 my
pocket at ,he time BE attempted to
uoload the whole responsibility on
Weston aud Neal. saying be bad told
them when he wrote the letter that be
had sos changed his views. was still for
the dispensary and would make no
agreement Assuming an air of vir-
suous indignation he ssid be would send
for them and make them set him right.
(He never did I vas so disguised
that again started to leave. saying |
would expose the whole affair aad let
him settle it With Neal and Weston as
be could but again be begged me to
come back. and then. leaving bis seat
aud coming TO my side. in front of the
vest wiudow at bis right hand, he said !:
.Don's get mad ; let's talk this thing
over quietly aud see it We can's com.
~ Il