The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-12-20


the old papers, and is manifestly the best
advertising medium in Sumter.
We might regret that we cannot
oecome a convert to the Columbia
states views on the liquor question, II
we had the faintest idea that the
adoption of its patchwork prohibition
scheme would result in the least good
to the people Of the State, as a whole,
or even to those Of any particular
county. The article, in which The
states views on the subject are brief
ly outlined, which is reproduced in
another column, embodies in itself its
own answer. Observation convinced US
years ago that prohibition, State.
county or municipal, is a farce and
! breeds disrespect for law and decen-
,cy and brings all other laws into con-
tempt The regulation Of the liquor
uafic must of necessity be a choice Of
evils, and until there is stronger evl-
sdence that the people are opposed to
the liquor traffic, as well as the dis
pensary, than has been afforded by
the Brice law elections heretofore
held, in which the majority Of the
voters refused to participate, we shall
remain of the opinion that the condi-
hons that the State fears for the
State at large in the event of blanket
prohibition measure being adopted,
viii be realized in each bounty that
tries prohibition under the Brice law.
IF It is folly to try to enforce prohibi-
bition throughout the State because
some counties oppose it, it is also folly,
pursuing the same line Of reasoning,
TO attempt to enforce prohibition
throughout a county, for in each and
every one there viii be found commu-
mites that are opposed to It. IF this
theory OF local self government is
followed up toits last and logical con-
clusion it will lead us to the individ-
uaI being left to determine for him
self the question Of sobriety or in
3 temperance. and we find ourselves at
the starting point.
The people Of Gaffney will never
have the opportunity to pass upon the
guilt or innocence of George Hasty,
the. slayer of Bennett and Dawson.
BY their outspoken and altogether
creditable sympathy with the victims
OF Hasty's pistol they laid the founda-
tion fer a change of venue, and Has
ty's lawyer will be sure to avail him
self of the opportunity to have the
trial of the case removed to another
county. 1T is to be hoped that, wher-
ever he may be tried, Hasty will b.
Adequately punished for his crime, but
we have doubts, worse crimes than
his have gone unpunished in South
Carolina.
Sumter is not numerously repre-
sented today at Georgetown's Centen-
NAL celebration, but it is not from any
lack OF good will and cordial friend
ship for our sister city. Had the cell
ebration fallen at any other time than
the week before Christmas when our
business men are buster and harder
worked than at any other season, this
city would have sent a large delega-
ton to rejoice with our Georgetown
friends. Georgetown has a history
to be proud of and has accomplished
much in the past, but her prosperous
and progressive present is guarantee
OF a greater future.
IF the Supreme Court does not
give publicity to the Facnum letters
there VIII be disappointment through
out the State, for these letters have
been relied upon to furnish the evi-
dence 10 convict the oHlcials OF the
State; dispensary of the corruption Of
which they are strongly suspected.
Everybody. or almost everybody, be-
1ieves that the State dispensary is rot
ten with corruption, graft and venal-
ity, but thus far it has been kept S"
well covered that it is only a wide
spread suspicion based upon many
circumstances OF a suspicious char
acter. If the Farnum letters do not
furnish proof TO convict, they may
lead to the discovery OF the proof that
is lacking. Hence the importance Of
the Farnun letters to the ilvestigat-
ing committee.
MASONIC ELECTION.