The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1905-08-29
MANNING ON DISPENSARY.
For an Amended Dispensary Law
Does Not Accept System AS At
Operated-Opposed to Pro-
hibition.


newspapers calling on those who
are spoken OF as probable candidates
for governor in the democratic pri-
mary next year 20 express them
selves on the question which is now
agitating the public mind, namely,
the liquor question.
As one of those referred to, | de-
sire to say that l have no hesitation
in stating my position on this ques-
ton. In doing so I have no desire
to precipitate the campaign at this
time for, although I have frequently
been mentioned as a candidate for
governor, I have not, up to this
time, positively decided to be candl-
date, and in now stating my position
on the liquor question [ do not COM
nit myself to enter the race I do
SO now merely to prevent the idea
being formed in tn le public mind that
I am waiting to see which way the
tide turns before stating my at
titude thereto.
In my opinion, grave condition
confronts Our people, and its prac-
teal and wise solution should be of
paramount importance to the polit
ical aspirations OF any man or set
of men,
Irrespective of any candidacy, l
feel that it is the duty of every
citizen who realizes the responsible
tiles of citizenship to do his ! part
in bringing about the wisest and
best solution Of the liquor question,
to put aside prejudice, to put aside
politics and every consideration save
the earnest desire to bring about
that condition which will promote
temperance and Straightforward,
honest conduct and morality, and
will minimize the evils of liquor.
1t is inevitable that differences of
opinion wall exist as to the way to
accomplish this desirable end even
among those who are earnestly and
honestly striving after the same OBJ
ject. I respect the position that
prohibition can be effective in South
Carolina. I admit that there has
been a growing tendency to curtail
drink, and the time may come
when the tone Of Our people will
be educated up to such degree
of self-discipline, self-restraint and
respect for law that a prohibitory
law against the use or sale of liquor
may be observed, but in my judg-
ment that time has not yet come
in South Carolina
But the time has come when the
people of this state will no longer
submit to a continuance OF the
mal-ad1ninistration of the dispensary
law-this condition has become in
toleTable I am no apologist for
w7ong-doing. The dispensary must
be purged, and every act of admin
lstration contrary to i1s purpose of
restricting the sale Of liquor must
be corrected, the officer r employee
responsible therefor punished, and
every act of wrong-doing wiped
out. =
The issue in South Carolina is
dispensary or prohibition: this does
not mean that the issue must be
"dispensary-as-it-is" or prohibition"
but 'dispensary amended and honestly
administered" or prohibition"
A bill will be introduced at the
coming session of the legislature
which will, if adopted, so change
the dispensary law that it will be
distinctly law to restrict and cur
tail the use of liquor-will make
the prohibirive features prominent
and imperative, permit the sale Of
liquor only under such conditions
that will reduce the evils to the
minimum, and subordinate the profit
feature OF the law. This bill will
also make the salaries OF dispensers
and employees absolutely independ-
ent of the amount OF sales, will