The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-10
South Cardinals Liquor Business.

A movement that may result in bitter
political contest between the Tillman
Democracy and the anti-saloon elements
in South Carolina was begun Tuesday
at Greenville, where ex-senator JOHN
LowNpEs MCLAURIN, in the course of an
address on the cotton situation, di-
crossed from his main topic to condemn
the State Liquor Dispensary law after
this fashion:
South Carolina Is all right She does get cranky
sometimes, and must have her little political revo
luton every ten years. She Is all right II she does
under malgn influences try cranky experiments
In the liquor business.
The Palmetto that swept proudly TO victory
with JACKSON at Bull Run. that lived through the
blood and are of Gettysburg. and beneath whose
tsttered. shot torn folds brave men wept with
LEE at Appomattox, was not always the sign OF the
rumseer and the insignia Of proud States CO.
partnership with the devil In Iaffc that Is send
ing the souls OF men TO hell. and with Its corruping
influence talntlng the very fountains OF good
government. 1t will not he for long, for II those
up-country counties the test of enlightened
sentiment and an awakened public conscience. soon
there will be erected great tombstone with this
beautiful and touching sentiment; Here lies the
mortal remains OF the great moral institution"
Killed by a landslide. Born corrupted, lived la
mcnted died detected. Rcqucsca. in pace
Mr.. McLAURIN, whose last days in the
Senate were made memorable by
physical encounter with Senator TILL
MAN on the floor of the chamber, has
been taking the political pulse of the
interior counties. The audience which
listened to his address was composed
largely of mountaineers, and his denun-
citation of the liquor traffic carried on
by the State received the cordial APP
proval of, his auditors. Following the
meeting at which it was delivered mass
meeting was called, to be held next week
at which plans for comprehensive
campaign against this institution founded
by Mr.. TILLMAN will be laid
The first struggle will be in Green
vile, but it is expected that under Mr..
McLAuR1N's guidance, the whole State
will be aroused and that within a year
the demand for the withdrawal Of the
Commonwealth from the whisky trade
will be the leading political issue. SEN
ator TILLMAN will defend the dispensary
system, and the great machine which it
has created will fight for 10 vigorously.
OF the dspensarys defenders the Green
nile Nelcs says:
The movement, will be opposed by two or three
factions. 1t will be fought by that element which
thinks more of revenue than morality and 1t will
be fought by those people who are Of the opinion
that prohibition will not prohibit Possibly 1t will
not but by freeing ourselves Of the monopoly we
will pu, liquor beyond the reach of the poorer
classes who are supporting the system. Tho en-
lghtencd sentiment however. is against H. and
this battle will be won.
Let US rise then In our might and snle the
enemy. Let us vindicatc the name Of the proud
old State which has been denied. and let us free
ourselves OF the fangs which have been driven
into our bodies and souls by these bowling political
fanatics and their damnable law"
Senator TILLMAN counts the estab-
lishment Of State liquor stores as the
most important achievement of his adj
ministration as Governor, after the
services he rendered in behalf of educa-
ton. In spite of the admitted short
comings of the system in practical opera
ton. he and his adherents maintain that
it comes nearer to solving the liquor
problem than any other plan that has
been tried. The liquor monopoly is
profitable to the State, fact of weight
with many taxpayers. Mr. T1LLMAN is
in complete control of the Democratic
machine in the State, and is in position
to meet almost any attack that may
be made on him. AS fighter he has
no Supporters in politics, and there is no
danger that he will spoil the prospect
of fine political contest by compromis-
ing with Mr. MCLACRIN and his friends.