The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1905-08-02
Cherokee s Conditon Under Prohibition


Col. B. f. Craytop, who is taking
most active part in the fight against
the dispensary in this county, recent
ly wrote to Senator T. 3. Butler Of
Cherokee county, and requested him
to give true statement Of the condi-
tions existing in the county since the
voting out Of the dispensary. Mr. But
ler's reply is as follows:
"Dear Sir: Your letter Of the End
of July came while l was in tSe midst
of court, hence my delay in answering
same.
"You ask me how we like it over in
Cherokee county since the dispensary
was voted out, and o true statement
Of the conditions before and since the
dispensaries were closed.
"It is needless to tell you the con-
dition before the dispenasries were
voted out, for conditions are somewhat
similar where liquor ie sold. I may
add that we had three dispensaries,
two liquor end one beer, and I may
also add that they were conducted by
good men, and in my judgement sold
according to law; but the opposition
here was not to the manner in which
our dispensaries conducted the dis.
pensaries but to The effects Of the Ii.
quor that was sold. Drunkenness
could be seen here almost every day,
our police court was constantly trying
cases Of drunk and disorderly, but
that has ceased and only in rare in
stances can one see man under the
influence of liquor. Cur criminal
courts were always augmented by the
fact that in almost every instance
every case, from assault and battery
to murder. was directly attributed to
liquor. Within one year before the
dispensaries were voted out, five white
mea Gl three oases) were tried for
killing their man, other white men,
and whiskey was back of it all, the
direct and controlling cause.
II might mention other instances Of
the evil effects Of the liquor, but every
one is familiar with it. 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
brawis; 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 80 beneficial, that any one
who has doubts aato the proper way
to vote on the question would never
hesitate if they could really see us as
we are, but when the"time came would
vote mo dispeusary,' and as often as
an opportunity presented itself. In
round numbers s100,0 was spent in
this county for liquor annually, and
ont of that amount a v,rv email amount
came back to the Taxpayers; SO you
will see that. at least. with very libe.
raj allowance for purchases that may
be made elsewhere. $95, 900 Of the
100000 is here among 9ober peo'
pie.
"A strong moral sentiment Of our
people, active and vigilant police off
cers, magistrates who aid in the en-.
forcement Of the laws, sheriff always
determined-a blind tiger can not
operate in this county any length Of
time. In. shorts the moral condition
of our people eisinfnitely better than
it was when we had the dispensaries.
"There was one thing noticeable in
the vote against the dispensary, the
largest percentage of the vote was
east by the mill operatives and the
farmers, and 80 many have told me
since that the beneficial results tc
them were beyond measure.
.s.'The above is o brief statement OF
the conditions here, and I feel safe il
saying that IL another vote was to be
cast on the same subject under sim
liar circumstances, the vote against
the dispensary would even be greater
than il was here in last November,
and then it was Ave to one.
with. good wishes for success in
your undertaking, ! am,
s'Yours very truly,
III s.s~ /. J St1St. d d Al. ~