The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-03-13
GOVERNOR HEYWARD MENAS BUSI.
NESS.

wrote to Governor Hayward. Of South
Carolina, making complaint of the reck-
less use of their pistols by dispensary
constables in that city and assuring
the governor of his assistance in en-
forcing the dispensary law. The gov
ernor's letter in reply has the right
ring. When he says: While / am de-
termined that the constables shall not
violate any of your city ordinances, L
am equally determined that the dispen-
Sary situation in Charleston shall be
improved he utters sentiments which
all l~aw-abiding citizens should applaud
and the governor shows that he means
what he says by giving instructions
for the mounting of constables SO they.
can follow wagons travelling at fast
speed supposed to contain ~contraband
goods. Both those people who conscien-
tiously oppose as we'll as those who ad-
vocate the South Carolina dispensary
system can endorse this utterance Of
the governor. Whether the dispensary
is a good or a bad system is not the
question in this matter. 1t is the law
of the state and Governor Hayward has
taken a solemn oath to enforce that
as well as all other laws he inc on
the statute books; and he should have
the support of all good citizens in their
enforcement. If the dispensary law is a
bad n n works undue hardships on
the people the quickest way to secure
its appeal is to enforce it strictly. This
is an xio as old as law itself and as
true as gospel
Governor Heyward's letter is as fol-
lows
Columbia, March 6, 1908.
Hon. ]. Adger Smyth, Mayor, Charles
ton. s. G.
Dear Sir: Jour communication Of
the 5th instant, to hand and has had my
careful attention. I lave also had an
Interview with Chief HOWE in regard
to the condition of affairs in Charleston
involving the administration of the
duties of his office.
We nav given careful consideration
to the varied demands of the situation
in our discussion of this subject.
Il agree with you fully that there
ought to be some way to stop what
appears to be eckle or unneceS-
a firing of pistols in our (your)
Streets and l also believe that there
should be devised some way to prevent
the transportation of illicit liquor
through you streets. l have instruct
ed Chief HOWE to see hat the firing
of pistols or the streets of Charleston
by constables be stopped, and l feel
sure that yOur assurances of assistance
in enforcing the d~ispensary law
which are confirmed by Chief HOWE
will prompt you to give the necessary
aid and protection to him and to his
constables in the discharge of their
lawful duties.
while 1 am determined tina the con-
stables shall not violate any of your
city ordinances, l am equally deter
mined that the disnensary situation in
Charleston shall be improved. I have
instructed Chief HOWE to mount some
of his men, and to follow WagOnS sup
posed to contain liquor, at whatever
speed shall be necessary to effect their
capture.
Il appreciate the reiteration of your
former offers of support and assist
ance. and will rely upon YOU to aid me
in the further prosecution Of this work.
Believe me, with highest esteem and
regard. Yours very truly.
ID. c. HEYWARD,
Governor
In this state we have made a new.
move in the matter of restricting the
liquor traffic. The Watts bill Just pass
ed by the late legislature. makes some
radical changes. and. like all new move
ments. it has its advocates and its op-i
pOnents. While there is a large ele-
ment in the state-mOderate liquor
men and moderate "anti-liquOr" Who
are content with his enactment. there
are many on the two extremes who are
dissatisfied with it-those on the one
-1
restrictive legislation on this subject
and those on the other who desired a.
more drastic bill. Between these two,
there was a majority of he legislators
who voted for his Watts bill.
While this measure was somewhat of
a compromise between these twol
classes. no one can doubt that it was
a long step toward prohibition in our
state. 1t has run the barroom and the
distillery OF whiskey out of the rural
districts and put both in the incorpor-I
ated towns where there can be police
supervision and restriction.
Now the question is: Is this lawI
going to be enforced? Will the officials
do their duty and show no favoritism?
To give this law a fair test-to seeI
whether it works for the good or the
evil OF the state-it must be enforced
n all must be treated alike under It'll
In one respect we nave passed beyond
the question as to whether this is al
good law or a bad one. 1t is now upon
the statute books and is the law of the
state. a~1 it is the duty of our execu-l
tive and judicial officers to see that i'll
is observed. If its provisions are detrf-
mental to the people of the state them