Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1900-06-21

their proper and adequate mainten-
ancc.
"ln my message recommended a
small appropriation to make search
for the Black report, which was con-
sldered necessary to establish the
claim of the State against the Gene
raj Government. This report, as
result Of this recommendation and
the appropriation which was made
has been found and forwarded to
to Senator Tillman, and it is hoped
that it will supply the missing link
necessary to establish the claim of
the State and thus enable the State
to pay the claim of the General
Government against the State and
have a considerable balance to our
credit.
GAS to the dispcnsary, my position
on this question is well known. In
circular, which issued in August of
last year 10 the magistrates, I stated
that | believed that the dispensary
system, if properly and wisely on
forced, was the best solution of the
liquor question yet devised. I took
the same position in my message to
the Legislature and l have had no
occasion to change my views on this
subject Much OF the opposition that
formerly existed to the dispensary
system has now been changed into
It's hearty support, and even many
of those who still oppose it are will
ing to give it further trial and have
ceased their active opposition.
81 also issued last year a circular
letter to the mayors and intendants
of the towns and cities of the State
asking their cooperation in the en-
forccmcnt Of the law. They with
one accord promised their hearty CO.
operation, and | believe the records
will bear me out in the statement
that the law has been better enforced
during the past two years than ever
before since it was put on the stat
ute books.
81 reduced the constabulary force,
and in the selection of constables
have endcavorcd to secure men of
character and standing, and | am
glad to say that in the enforcement
of the law there has been no conflict
between the constables and the citi-
zcns. The constabulary force is now
considerably smaller than it was whom
| came into Office, and l believe
can truthfully say, without invidious
comparisons, much more efficient.
'In the City of Charleston by wise
and discreet management we were
enabled to show that the United
States officers were using the Gus
tom House as a storage for blind
tiger whiskcy, and, without conflict
between the State and the national
authorities, and as a result of the in
vcstigation in this case, the most no.
torious Republican in the State was
removed from Office and another, and
| hope better better, man put in his
place.
"Of course there are still violations
Of the law, but when it has come TO
my knowledge that the law was
being violated, and the illicit sale of
whiskcy was being engaged in in any
community, | have promptly sont
officers there with proper instructions
if possible to stop the illicit sales.
I know there are good and true
men and Democrats who are hon
cstly and sincerely advocating pro-
hlbition, but ] am fully convinced
that prohibitory laws will not pro-
mote temperance, the object sought
by these people, but on the contrary,
if prohibitory law was enacted
blind tigers and the illicit sale of
whiskcy would increase and there
would be no machinery and no reve-
nue. with which to put a stop to it.
For this reason many Of those who
are in favor of the open bar room and
the sale of whiskey are advocating
prohibition, because they are con-
vinced in their own minds that pro-
hibition will be a failure, and if they
can by these means repeal the dis
pcnsary law they feel that they will
then be in position to secure what
they want-thc sale of whiskey un-
der license system. | do not be-
lieve that it would be wise or good
judgment at this time to have the
State torn up by change of system
for the handling of the liquor ques-
ton, and for that reason, if no other,
it would be better to let the dispen-
sary system stand. If the honest
and sincere advocates of temperance
would stop and consider | am suro
they would reach the conclusion that
the dlspcnssary system, properly
managed and enforced, is q better
temperance measure than prohibition