The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1900-08-02
usual, but covered the ground.


he would allow no reflections to be
made as to him. He warned the peo-
pie to send members Of the House
who would bring the situation back to
1892 when the voters stood for prohibi-
ton. Until there is fair and square
election on the liquor question it will
continue to come up Too much
power to establish dispensaries, he said
is given to county boards. He wanted
the dispensary wiped out and prohibi-
ton put on the books. The dispen-
sary has good features, but they are
not enforced. The dispensary IS used
for everything and would supply the
tigers in order to increase the sale OF
liquor.
G. Walt Whitman kept the crowd in
a good humor by arguing that what
the people wanted was temperance and
not prohibition. The chief objection
was to drinking 10 excess. The dis
pensary has been shamed in the house
of its friends. The best regulation he
now thinks Is to license individuals
and corporations to sell liquor under
the constitutional regulations.
The meeting adjourned for dinner.
After dinner Col. Knox Livingston
spoke of the express telegraph bill,
which he had passed and fathered. He
complimented Senator Ragsdale, OF
this county, and then discussed his
own work.
Col. James H. Tillman joked abut
Col. Livingston and his platforms. He
wanted to reiterate that he thoug-t all
negro schools ought to be closed. He
would never vote for appropriations for
colored college. He favored the dispen-
sary.
Mr.. Tinxler was glad to hear Of the
new railroad between Kershaw and
Fairfield. He said his record was clear
in voting for increased pensions.
Col. John Sloan spoke Of the distin-
guished sons Of Fairfield and his re-
cord. The people Of the different coun-
ties should have what they want as to
LIQUOR. He knew the people could be
counted on and that would be the only
settlement.
Mr.. Cole L. Blease argued that the
preachers should talk for temperance,
but keep out Of politics. The whole
fight of the Prohibitionists now was to
kill the dlspensary and that would
bring high license.
Senator Brice insisted on varying
the programme and presented Senator
Tillnan and asked for three hearty
cheers, which were given. AS soon as
he was presented some one said: Get
mad, Uncle Ben, and give 1t to EN-"
He thanked the audience and said he
was embarrassed by the existing con-
ditions. A campaign had been ordered
and he was expected to be present. II
he did not attend his enemies would
saws he had the swell head and that
sort of thing, and when he did come
some said he tried to play boss and
dictate, and it was the same old thing,
he would be damned II he did and be
damned II he did not. He owed the
people a duty. He said: you are
mighty prone to go to sleep and II |
can keep your eyes open it is my duty
The News and Courier and the State
say I should keep out Of the fight. I
am not here contending as to men. 1t
is my duty to point out wherein and
why certain advocated policies ought
not to prevail, and 1 am present in de-
fence Of my administration. l am
charged with defeating prohibition
when it was voted for. Must remain
silent under all sort Of charges and
sermons? I think not"
Then Senator Tillman explained the
Prohibition vote of 1892 and how the
dispensary law was enacted. If ma
iority had voted sr prohibition ne
would never have stood against 1t. he
certainly needed no machine now, as
charged, as no one would even run
against him. He spoke as he DID De-
cause he had convictions and ne slmp-
ly spoke against prohibition because II
is no good. He never was told he was
to be gagged after he got to Washing
ton, and especially after he was under
fire and attack. His enemies did not
give him credit for any honesty or pa
triotism such as they claim for them
selves. They have used bad WORDS
and sneered about me. The ministers
are good men, but they are wrong up
here. pointing to his head They
had no right to attack him and he
would say nothing harsh or rude about
them. If he were a self-seeking poll
tician and wanted to look out for HIM
self and not the people, he would go
around and talk sweet and not talk as
he did. This abuse was enough 10
make him mad, but he would not get
mad. He would be coward if he did
not talk out, and was only sorry he
could not get where some people have
already been bamboozled. He knew