The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-09-05
Col. Hoyt Interviewed.
What he Has to Say Of the
First Primary and Of His
Chances in the Second.

Columbia, Sept. l.-Col. James A.
Hoyt, the prohibition candidate for
governor, has been in the city for a
day OF so, and before leaving for his
home in Greenville today he was asked
.,if he had anything TO say for publlca-
tion in view OF the second race for
governor. He made this statement in
reply:
eyes, I desire to express my cordial
-aad hearty appreciation of the aattesiog
support received in the first primary.
which has met my expectations SO tar
as my owo vote is concerned. and is
fully as large percentage as could
have been reasonably counted upon.
The odds against me in the campaign
we're difficult to overcome, and the
onset made 10 the last few weeks was
almost unprecedented in the primaries
of this State. for 20 stone was left IN.
turned that would operate to my dis
advantage vas compelled to meet
the onslaughss Of the other candidates
for governor, aud iu addition to parry
tho snrusts of Senator Tillman. The
outcome of the concentrated attack
upon my position in the contest may
be left to conjecture, bat it is sssuredly
gratifying that so large proportion OF
nY fellow-citizens of their own free
will aud ACCORD cast their bailots aud
threw the weight of thoir ioaueoce
against polisica! bossism iu South Caro-
lima. It ought to be we'll understood
that my election stands for thorough
independence of action in the executive
o6iee without the dictssion aud naoip
alasioo of aoy man, and without the
controlling bias of factiooal interests.
.sThe time has come for the asser-
ton of manhood aed Of personal choice
in the election of chic. magistrate,
sod while my vote largely represents
positive conviction as to the manage
ment of she liquor question IN South
Carolina, the prohibitlou Democrats are
also ic sympathy With that sentiment
which resenes the domination Of politi-
cal leaders, who would suppress in-
dividuality aud make the bulk of the
voters subserviens to the will OF few
men. Only in certain localities in this
State cso macbire politics prevail! aud
We have a striking instance uow that
extremes can be made to meet The
dispeosary Law has been fought With
.ancor and persistence 10 the city Of
Charleston unit! quite recently. So
long as there vas any real attempt at
the enforcement of the law, the opposi-
ton in Charleston was positive and
undeuisble. backed by the power of
the political machine which held sway
for so many years. Governor Mo
Sweeoey's administration has changed
this aspect Of affairs. not as measure
Of "pesce and unity" but as realiza-
ton that both elements can 6nd more
satisfaction in pursuing different line
Of policy. The blind tigers are praotl
eally uomolested. while dispeusaries
flourish from the uucessioe patronage
of the tigers. The increased cousump-
sion Of liquor thus sold BY the dispen-
series enhances the revenue Of the city
sud county. which receives 80 per oeot
Of the dispenssry profits. In return
for this happy state of sffaiss more
than 20 pc. cent of Charleston's vote
has gone for Governor McSweeuey.
vbo is The beneficiary 10 this instance,
sod .ill remain 10 polisioa! favor so
looe as he creates no disturbance Of the
preeeot situation.
.sSoo,h Csrolina furnishes the
humiliasiog spectacle of chief msgis-
trsse eeoeiv,og support by reason Of the
uon-enforcemeoe Of one of It's most
important laws His oouuivance at
open aud general violation of this Law
has been constantly rebuked on the
kus.iogs by Messrs Gary and Paster
900. and be has beeo challenged time
aud again during the osmpaigo to issue
instructions to the ooustabies to make
raids upon the places where liquor is
openly aod illegally sold. authorizing
them 70 sei5e fixtures aud con6soate
supplies. Gov McSveeoey's response
has been to reed distractions Issued to
eopssables 10 June, 1899. which
have been notoriously dis
REGARDED. and to make the plea that the
cooseables nuss furnish tonds 10 seiz
log 6xsures. which be seemed to regard
as . hardship. TIE State has reached
= low ebb when its officials cannot be
provided with tho necessary backing