The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1905-07-04

wrong and we can then determine
| how TO provide a remedy, while the
criminal courts will or ought to pro-
vide punishment for the wrong doors.
The dispensary law has been under
fire in the courts and on the hustings
ever since the system was inaugural
ed There has been only one general
election in the state, the last in which
it was not an issue. 1t won victory
after victory for it was the main is
sue in the election Of 1894, in the cleo
ton for the constitutional conven-
ton in 1896, and in the state elections
of 1896, 1898, 1900 and 1902. Those
candidates for public Office who car
ried it's banners were always victor
ious. What then has caused the pres
ent unheavel: Why are petitions cir
culating in a dozen or more counties
asking for ar election to vote it out
| under The Brice law and that too in
counties in which, in the past its
known advocates have always had
large rajorities? Have the people
any greater faith III prohibition than
they have had all these past years?
I d. not think Sc. Are the advo-
Gates OF high license any stronger
than they have been? J do not think
50. | am bound to hvi,eve that the
existing dissatisfaction and desire to
destroy the >'ispensary comes from
the we'll nigh universal belief Of the
people that there is corruption in its
administration and berause the last
lcslslat re filled TO take any action
other than to appoint committee to
investigate There we're charges,
with how m;;'il ruth they were made
| do not know. that tie dispensary
Inference in the Legislature was par
amount. Any how the friends Of the
dispersary anf; its enemies joined
forces at the last session to prevent
any action and nothing was done, and
unless public opinion shall drive The
LEGISLATURE at its next session to some
reform action which will purify the
atmosphere there is no possible doubt
that all elements ct opposition to the
Jispensary aided by many OF its old
friends will combine in the next eiec-
ton and kill the system. I do not
hesitate to tell you frankly that if it
has become and is to remain cor
rupt political machine as is charged
! can not defend it and will not do
so, but will join the ranks Of those
who seek to kill it, I believe it can
be reorganized and purged OF corrup-
ton with safeguards thrown around
it to prevent the recurrence Of the
present unfortunate and disgraceful
condition of affairs. I can not now
20 at length into the details and give
reasons but l will state briefly the
causes as I sec them which have pro-
luced the present situation.
The purchase of liquor by any
board ex-o'ficio or otherwise should
b. stopped. The original scheme
which was hastily gotten up made the
Governor. Attorney General, Comp
troller general. ex-of6cio the state
board OF control This was changed
verv socn after I left the governor S
Office and the legislature assumed
control by the election Of the board;
ard in no instance since mas my ad-
vice and opinion had any weight in
shaping its management though |
have .ried to pre- ent sGnc thi7ss be-
ing done and have urged others with
Oh success. 1t stands to reason that
men who have to depend upon the
suffrage of the whole people to get
high office are or ought to be Of a
higher type with better characters and
in every way better fitted for respon-
sible positions involving the handling
Of public money than those who with
petty salaries are elected by the legis-
laturc. Politics always enters into a
legislative election. People who vote
for a governor vote for him because