The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1905-07-28
THE LIQUOR LAW
Attacked at a Farmers Meeting
by John L. McI-aurin.
SMITH PROTESTED.

The President of the South Carolina
Southern Cotton Association Object
ed to Politics Being Brought ID
Farmers Rally. Several
Fine Speeches Made.
Tuesday Of last week was cotton
growers day in Dillon. The 500
sturdy sons of the soil who gathered
there to hear the distinguished gen
tlemen who had been invited to make
addresses before the county cOnven
tion and exchange ideas on the Gull
ture Of cotton and other crops pecu
liar to the South, representing every
section Of the old Swamp Fox County,
but the bulk of the crowd came from
the upper end of the county, or what
is known in local parlance as new
county territory" The gathering
was unique In that the crowd assem-
bled at the big school auditorium and
was composed OF men Of every walk
In life-bankers, merchants, farmers,
manufacturers, and professional men
with here and there a politician.
The committee on entertainment
had selected well and 1t seldom falls
to the lot OF a town as small Of Dillon
to have such q galaxy Of distinguished
orators within Its borders In a single
day. There was Elk Senator Nc.
Laurin and Col. Kuox Livingstone, Of
Bennettsville; the Hon. Il. III Hyatt
and Col. Il. Ii. Weston, Of Columbia;
the Hon. Richard 1 Manning and the
Hon. e. d. Smith, OF Sumter; II, p.
Hamer, of Hamer, and Congressman
j. e. Ellerbe, Of Sellers. Each Of
these gentlemen came with something
to tell and they told 1t so we'll that
those who listened went away bene-
fitted. The addresses were remarka,
BILE for their force and logic and depth
and breadth Of thought and the
audience showed its appreciation for
each individual effort by frequent
outbursts Of applause. County
chairman Stackhouse presided and the
meeting was opened with a very elo.
Quent and touching prayer Gy the
Rev. j. d Croul.
HAMER N MANNING SPEAK.
The first speaker introduced was
the Hon. r. p. Hamer, who felt high
ly complimented in being asked by
his home people to speak on such an
impurlagb subject. Mr.. Hamer said
that thi8iis ~distinctively a commercial
age ard every class Of people was or
ganizad except the farmer and par.
t~icularly the &c )tton tot" He held
that thorough organ'z .tion would
enable the strong to help the weak
and that there should be a flxe1 price
at which to sell cotton, that Is, q
price for those with obligations and
price for those In urgent need OF mon
ey. Mr.. Hamer strongly advocated
the ware house system and pointet
out that with the cooperation OF the
cotton and oil mills, houses
could be successfully and economically
run. Mr.. Hamer Is a practical man
and his talk being along practica
lines was we'll received. His remarks
were greeted with prolonged applause
The Hon. r /. Manning, VINO wa
next introduced d, urged the necessity
Of thorough organization among tht
farmers. Mr.. Manning's speech wa
spirited and at times eloquent. HI
earnestness appealed to the audience
and he was IF, q l"ntly interrupted
with applause. He believed in TIN
bonded ware house and urged th'
farmer to hold his cotton and borroq
money whenever the price was so low
that IT did not pay him to sell. Mr.
Manning made a good impression OF
his audience and at the conclusion o
bis remarks was followed by the Hon
John l.. McLlurin. Just here a gen
uine sensation was sprung, which
created a Juror In the audience.
THE D~IsPENSARY INTRODUCED.
Mr.. Mcl4aur;n had been speaking
but a few minutes and had pause
after an eloquent and touching dc
~scription OF the horrors OF the recor
str uction period. when a young Wa
walked rapidly across the front OF tn
stage and handed him the follOWln
note:
Senator: at our committee meet
ing yesterday we decided we we're a
of one accord On the cotton question
having read much on the subject an
having man" able speakers who WI
follow you here today. For tha
reason we dt c!dcd that we would n
mind you that the burning Questio
Of the hour with us Is, and will be *
the immediate future, dispensary
no dispensary, and II you have
serious objections would like TO hei
YOUR vie VS. on the subject. What {
YOU think of the dispensary law as
Is written on the statue books OF TN
State, as 1t has been, is, and probab
will be, as long as 1T Is a law execute
by those in authority
tWa6p
"W. r. Bethea,
"Wm. M. IIamer,
&c L Moore,
&c. r.. Uamer."
AgMr. McLaurin read the note
half amused smile played oyer !
features. Then turning to the aut
ence. with q dramatic wave OF I
hand, he said that his RECORD IN o
Senate was evidence sufficient thaU
had never been afraid TO express |
views on n q ,estion, and althou'
he had come here prepared TO Ia
about cotton he would at the reque
OF the committee state his views
the most corrupt institution that CIV
cursed O. State. This a~nnounccme
was greeted with shouts or applau'
MeLAURIN ApPLAUDED..
Instantly the dOorways ana WI
dows became crowded ana men a
forward In their seats to eaten eve
xuo.l &In fn)l from h1a nnQ. AltHOu