The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1904-02-12
a GOOD BILL.
The State Senate Discusses at Len.th
an Anti.Treating Law.
TO TREAT OR NOT TO TRRAT.
It Would Be Mos. Excellent Thing
If suoh Law Were to Be
Passed and BE strictly
Enforced,

Enforced. SIS .S
ITO treat or not to treat, - was un-
doubtedly the question In the senate
Tuesday. The bill introduced by
Representative Doyle of Oconee, which
VAS threshed to a mass OF pulp In the
house, was brought up after the calen-
dar had been read, and after good
hour and half had been devoted to
Its merits and demerIts. The bill
provides that on election days, no one
shall give away or sell liquors within
three miles otthe polls. This is man
ifestly to prevent repetition OF the
public scandals caused by the alleged
wholesale distribution of "booze" dur
Ing the general and municipal elec-
tions that have taken place in South
Carolina within the last half a de-
cade.
Senator Hay provoked the down
pour Of verbiage that ensued, by mcy-
ing to accept the majority report. 1t
seems that the committee on prlvi-
leges and elections, with the excep-
tiOn Of Senator IIerndon, agreed to
report the bill unfavorably. Senator
Herndon, In whose county the bill
originated, aro;e Immediately to de-
fend the measure, saying that men
under the influence OF liquor could not
vote consclentiously, or If bribed were
not tit to vote. Senator Stanland
| n lISn fa ynrQ6 fhn hill ho To-
some OF his constituents that he would
| vote for it. He spoke Of the amount
OF whiskey circulated in the in
terest Of certain candidates at the
last primary election, and cited this
| as an instance which showed the need
for such statute.
Senator Brice was another support
er of the bill. Liquor used in an
election is always used by the worst
candidates, who show by its use that
they are unit to hold oiiice.'' Even
though the statute were not rigidly
enforced (though it should bc) the
moral effect Of the States condemna-
tion would be salutary.
Senator Hay said that every time
that law that 1t was known would
net be enforced was placed upon the
statute books, much more of the pub
lies respect for the laws was destroyed.
AS for the sale Of liquor the dispensa-
ries are always closed on election days.
and at no other place should it be OBJ.
tainable, were all Of the liquor laws
rigidly enforced. To pass this law
would be voting away personal right
that ought not to be taken away.
After Senator Mcleod had spoken
in support Of the bill the ayes and
nays were demanded ON Senator Hays
motion to adopt the maj ,rity report,
which was rejeI led by vote Of 10 to
10, which may be taken as an index OF
the bill.
Those who voted AYE" were Sena-
tors Aldrich, Hay, Hydrick, Marshall,
M;1ver, Peurifoy, G. w. Ragsdale,
Sharpe, Sheppard, Walker.
Those who voted nay were Sena-
tors, Blake, Brice, Butler, Carpenter,
Douglass, Gaines, Goodwin, Hardin,
Herndon, Hough, johnson, Manning,
Mayfield, Mcleod, Move, Raysor,
Stackhouse, Stanland, Williams.
An amendment was offered by SEN
ator RaySor who wished to strike out
the words three miles," and insert
the immediate vicinity" This was
vigorously opposed by Senators Hern-
don and Blake, because Of alleged in
definiteness. More discussion ensued
Senator G. w. Ragsdale speaking
against the bill. Senator Brice spoke
for the bill, Senator Mcleod on the
same position, and Senate. j. w.
Ragsdale Also
Senator Sharpe thought that as to
the publication Of the public morals
miracles would have to be wrought to
do that.
Senator Brice: "Then you do ad-
NIT that the politics of the State are
corrupt?"
Senator Sharpe: $50 1 have heard
on every side this NOR Ing. Not SC
in my county,"
This bill was finally killed.