The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1905-08-30
HOW He STANDS.
Senator Manning GivesHisViews
on the Dispensary.

: WANTS LAW AMENDED
ihe Senator, Who May Become a Can.
didate for Governor, Does Not Ac.
cept System as It Is at Present.
Opposes Prohibition as 1t
Won't Be Enforced.
The following letter from Senator
Richard I. Manning, CT Sumter, vino
may become a candidate for governor
will be read with interest:
SUMTER, S. c.. August ga
number Of articles have appeared in
the newspapers calling on those who
are spoken OF as probable candidates
for COVER in the Democratic primary
next year to express themselves on
the question which Is now agitating
the public mind, namely, the liquor
question.
AS one OF those referred to, desire
to say that I have no hesitation in
stating IMPOSITION on this question.
In doing so have no desire to precip-
itate the campaign at this time for
although have frequently been men
tened as a candidate for governor, 7
have not, up to this time, positively
decided to bs candidate, and In now
stad1ng my position on the l.Q aor ques-
tion do not commit myself to enter
the race. I do so now merely to pre-
vent the idea being formed In tts
public mind that I am awaiting to
see which way the tide turns before
stating my attitude thereto.
In my opinion, q grave condition
contronts cur people, and it's practical
and wise solution should be OF para
mount mportance to the political as.
pirations OF any man or set OF men.
Irrespective Of any candidacy, I feel
that it is the duty OF every citizen
who realizes the responsibilities OF
citizenship to do bis part In bringing
about the wisest and best solution Of
the liquor question, to put aside pref
udice, to put aside politics and every
consideration save the earnest desire
to bring about that condition which
will promote temperance and straight
forward, honest conduct and morality,
and will minimize the evils Of liquor.
1t is inevitable that differences OF
opinion will exist as to the way to ac-
compish this desirable end even
among chose earnestly and honest
ly striving after the same object. I
respect the position Of the prohibi-
zionist who believes that prohibition
can be effective in South Carolina.
admit that there has been growing
tendency to curtau drink, and the
time may come when the tone Of our
people will be educated up to such q
degree Of self.discipline, self.restraint
and respect for law that a prohibitory
law against the use OF sale Of liquor
may be observed, but in my judgment
that time has not yet come In South
Carolina.
But the time has coma wheh the
people OF this State will no longer
submit to a continuance Of the mall
administration Of the dispensary law
this condition has become intolera-
ble. The dispensary must be purgsd,
and every act OF administration con-
trary to its purpose OF restricting the
sale Of liquor must be corrected, the
officers or empioye responsible there
for punished, and every act Of wrong
doing wiped out.
The issue in South Carolina is dig
psnary or prohibition; this does not
mean that the issue must be "dispen-
sary-as-it-is" OF prohibition" but
'd:spensary amended and honestly ad-
ministered" or prohibition.
A bill will be introduced at the COM
ing session OF the legislature which
will, if adopted, so change the dis
penary law that it will be distinctly q
Law to restrico and curtail the use Of
Hqlor-win make the prohibitlve fea-
lures prominent and imperative, per-
nit the sale Of liquor only under con-
ditions that viii reduce the evils to
the minimum, and subordinate the
profit feature OF the law. This bill
will also make the salaries OF dispen-
sers and employees absolutely indepeR-
dent Of the amoUct Of sales, will
throw every possible safeguard around
the purchase OF liquor to prevent bri-
berry and corruption, and will endeavor
to correct such defects and eliminate
such abuses es the work Of the inves-
tigating committee may reveal, and
make such other changes as may be
deemed best.
believe that such a law can and
will be a great step toward reduc-
ing the evils OF liquor; that 1t can be
made effective and that it vii! not
te1tere with other functions oi gov
er1ment.
With such law, the issue would
| be "dispensary law so amended" or
prohibition. On this issue, I would
stand for the Gispensary law so
amended; but do not stand Tor the
dispensary law as 1T is.
! RICHARD I. MANNING.
Wants to Eelp.
Copornor Eouwo m has racofve6 a