The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1902-1905, 1902-05-08

So much as to facts to which these figures testify.
Now, the influences which operate to foster per-
petuate and increase the crimnaity and lawlessness
inherent in the system.
1t safe that the purpose of eveyonen any
way connected with the distribution of intoxicants
through the dpensay is to foster its influence increase
its sales and make the business permanent in the State
So zeaously have they pursued this purpose that the
provisions which the law originally contained for out
side interference to prevent abuse limit sales have
been almost entirely removed and under the unrestrain
ed control of the system which has been maintained
through all changes of administration rs present all
restrictive provisions have been dsregarded the sales
have doubled within few years the illicit trade openly
by the dspensary managers has also largely
Increased and it has to at last to be regarded by
its controllers safely beyond reach of interference by
the people the courts or any other power The 'bnd
of the State than the ninetvfOur dispensares and the
four illegal beer dspensaries run by the State,
by of their valuable patronage of the dispense
ries screened from prosecution as is shown from the
facts appearing in the table above that out OF 23 cases
violation brought into court from 1895 to 1900 only
55O-24 per centwere convicted; in striking contrast
with the fact that for the six l8lS92 under the
old license SYSTEM out of EGO 39 81 per cent
These are the facts of record and they are sufficient
themselves condemn the system If this statement of
them shall in any degree serve to awaken the large but
Indifferent element of our citizens who can control the
if they will of their duty in the prem
ses shall feel that have been amply repaid for the
severe labor which has been involved in setting them
forth.
Another fact disclosed by this investigation IN
ton with examination of the reports of the dispense
ry managers is that the liquor traffic in South Carolina
legal and Illegal derives its main support from the la
boring classes, white and colored and result it is
from this class that the criminal record is recruited at
such an appalling ratio of Increase
1t doubtless true that the large majority of the peo-
pie of the State comparatively free from the vices
and crimes engendered by indulgence in strong drink,
and progressing along the lines of religion. eduea-
ton and morality yet they crimnally negligent
Indifferent the Improvement of those most exposed to
the demoralizng influence of the liquor traffic, whose
nhuman greed will be satisfied with nothing less than
the utter ruin of its helpless victims
am constrained to add the remark that in my judg-
ment the class who are wholly responsible for the
tinuance of this condition of vice and crmnaity in
South Carolina are not the dspensary managers, from
the blind tigers, all of whom individually and collec-
lively in the business for what money or political
influence they can get out it, is it the legislators
who year by year hold their hands off the unclean
thing but 1t is the voters of the State, who with the
solemn obligation of Christian citizenship upon them,
either openly sustain the system refuse to join hands
with those who would correct It, These could put an
end to the evil If they would and failing of their duty,
they become responsible in the sight of God and will be
held for the dreu consequences which result
from II. T. ]. LA NOTE,