The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1900-11-21
SOME INFORMATION
About the Enforcement! OF the D;spen.
sary Law.

Sdry Law.
The State. November II.
GOV. McSweeney is again endeavor
ing to feel the pulse of the people of
the State in regard to the dispensarv
law. Heis doing this by writing to
mayors OF cities and inten lsnts Ct
towns, asking il they are enforcing
the law, etc. Very naturally these
officials, with one exception SO far,
declare that they are trying to carry
out the law as they are sworn to do
and it would be impcl;tic in them to
declare otherwise. However, not
many blind tigers are pulled by
policemen. Quite number OF
mayors have been heard from, the
most unique reply being that of the
chief executive of Yorkville. The
mayor of Columbia has not replied.
The governors circular to the mu-
nicipal executives reads as follows:
Columbia, Nov 1, 1900
Dear Sil: Soon after I came into
Office I addressed a communication
to the mayors and intendsnts of the
various cities and towns in this State,
asking their cooperation in the en-.
forcement of the dispensary law.
The -ssespenses which I received
eef,ragiDg and lam sure
that this request for tie cooperation
of the municipal authorities resulted
in good and better enforcement Of
the law. My purpose now is not
only to renew my request for the
hearty cooperation of the municipal
authorities in the enforcement of this
law but also to receive any sugges-
tions that any OF these officers msy
feel inclined to make. Inasmuch as
the people Of the State have sbowa
in several elections by very decided
majority that they are in favor Of the
dispenssry system it seems to me
that the best thing for all good citi-
zens to do is to go earnestly to work
to amend and improve the law and
as far as possible perfect the system.
This should be the duty not only #
those who are in favor Ct the system,
b It also those who have opposed it.
have endeavored to enforce the
law without friction and without
bloodsbed and I feel gratifed at the
result. I feel satisfied that the only
way to secure q strict enforcement of
the law ia to have a healthy public
sentiment in favor of it's enforce
ment. Tnis can be accomplished
much better when all the law officers
in the State, including the mum
cipal authorities, cooperate with the
special constables in it's enforcement.
I desire to secure certain informa-
tion in regard to the enforcement of
the law in your town and in order to
get it I will appreciate it if you
would answer the questions which l
enclose herewith. I am fully con,
vinced that much of the prej1dice
which has heretofore existed against
the dispensary law does not now
exist and a great many Of those who
at one time bitterly opposed it have
come to realize that it is the best
solution of the liqnor question that
has yet been devised. The principal
thing now is to have it properly e.
forced and with healthy public
sentiment in it's favor and realiza-
ton on the part of the municipal au-
thorities that it is part Of their duty
to assist and cooperate in its enforce
ment violations of the law will grow
less and less. It is my desire to see
that illicit sales of whiskey are put
down and also that those in charge
of the dispensary do not violate the
the law either.
Tf snanial copstabIas are not need-