Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-07-28
cHERoKEs's CONDITION.
Senator Butler Describes Improvement
Since Dispensary Was Voted Out

Senator Butler Describes Improvement
Since Dispensary Was Voted Out.
Coz. B. F. Crayton, who is taking a
most active part in the fight against
the dispensary In this county. says the
Anderson Daily Mail, recently wrote to
Senator T. B. Butler Of Cherokee coun-
ty, and requested him to give true
statement of the conditions existing In
the county since the voting out Of the
dispensary. Mr.. Buffers reply Is as
follows:
Dear Sir: Your letter of the End
Of July came while ] was In the midst
Of court. hence my delay in answering
same. r.t
"You ask me how we like It over In
Cherokee county since the dispensary
was voted out, and q true statement
Of the conditions before and since the
dispensaries were closed.
1T Is needless to tell you the condi-
tion before the dispensaries were vot-
ed out, for conditions are somewhat
similar where liquor Is sold. ! may
add that we had three dispensarfes.
two liquor and one beer, and may
also add that they were conducted by
good men. and in my judgment sold
10 ldWs the OppOolllou
here was not to the manner In which
our dispensaries were conducted but to
the effects Of the liquor that was sold.
Drunkenness could be seen here almost
every day, our police court was con-
stantly trying cases Of drunk and dis
orderly but that has ceased and only
In rare instances can one see man
under the influence Of liquor. Our
criminal courts were always augment
ed by the fact that in almost every
instance every case, from assault and
battery to murder, was directly attrib-
uted to liquor. Within one year be-
fore the dispensaries were voted out,
five white men Tin three cases) were
tried for killing their man. other white
men and whisky were back OF II all,
the direct and controlling cause.
"I might mention other instances OF
the evil effects Of the Iuor but every
one is familiar with 1t. But as to the
conditions since the dispensary was
voted out here: Our police court has
not the old familiar cases OF drunk
and disorderly' to dispose of. 1t has
practically ceased. Our streets are
clear Of the drunken, reeling men; our
roadways are free from drunken
brawls: our people are happier and
have more money to spend for some
thing to eat and to wear-in fact the
difference Is so great and noticeable,
and results so beneficial, that any one
who has doubts as to the proper way
to vote on the question would never
hesitate IL he could really see us as
we are. but when the time came would
vote no dispensary,' and as often as
an opportunity presented itself. In
round numbers 100000 was spent In
this county for liquor annually, and out
of that amount very small amount
came back to the taxpayers; so you
will see that at least with very liber-
al allowance for purchases that may
be made elsewhere, $95,000 Of the $780,
900 Is here among a sober people.
"a strong moral sentiment or our
people, active and vigilant police OFF,
GERS, magistrates who aid In the en-
| forcement Of the laws, sheriff always
ldetermined-a "blind tiger cannot
operate in this county any length OF
| time. In short, the moral condition OF
our people Is infinitely better than II
was when we had the dispensaries.
There was one thing noticeable In
the vote against the dispensary, the
largest percentage Of the vote was cast
by the mill operatives and the farm
ers, and so many have told me since
that the beneficial results to them were
beyond measure.
| 1.-The above Is a brief statement OF
the conditions here, and I feel safe
in saying that II another vote was to
be cast on the same subject under sim
liar circumstances, the vote against
the dispensary would even be greater
than II was here In last November, ana
then 1t was five to one.
with good wishes for success In
your undertaking, / am,
yours very truly,
| THOMAS B. BUTLER"