The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1905-07-28
THE LIQUOR LAW
Attacked at a Farmers Meeting
by John l.. MCI.aurin.
SMITH PROTESTED.

The President OF the SOutn NarOlint
Southern Cotton Association Object.
ed to Politics Being Brought In
Farmers Rally. Several
Fine Speeches Made.
Tuesday of last week was cotton
growers day In Dillon. The 6OC
sturdy sons Of the soil who gathered
there to hear the distinguished gen
tlemen who had been invited to make
addresses before the &C tunty conven
tion and exchange ideas on the cul'
ture Of cotton and other crops pecu
liar to the South, representing every
section Of the old Swamp Fox County,
but the bulk Of the crowd came from
the upper end of the county, or what
is known in local parlance as new
county territory" The gatherir 6
was unique In that the crowd assem-
bled at the big school auditorium and
was composed Of men Of every walk
In life-bankers, merchants, farmers,
manufacturers, and professional mon
with here and there q politician.
The committee on entertainment
had selected well and it seldom falls
to the lot OF a town as small Of Dillon
to have such a galaxy Of distinguished
orators within It's borders In single
day. There was Ex Senator Nc.
Laurin and Col. Knox Livingstone, Of
Bennettsville; the Hon. T.. III Hyatt
and Col. Il. II. Weston, of Columbia;
the Hon. Richard L Manning and the
Hon. E. d. Smith, OF Sumter; r, p.
Hamer, of Hamer, and Congressman
j. e. Ellerbe, Of Sellers. Each OF
these gentlemen came with something
to tell and they told it so we'll that
those who listened went away bene.
fitted. The addresses were remarka
ble for their force and logic and deptf
and breadth of thought and the
audience showed its appreciation fol
each individual effort by FRI quent
outbursts Of applause. County
chairman Stackhouse presided and the
meeting was opened with very elo
quent and touching prayer Gy the
Rev. J. D CrOul.
uAMER AND MANNING SPEAK.
The first speaker introduced was
the Hon. r. p. Hamer, who felt high
ly complimented in being asked by
\ his home people to speak on such an
C. tmpurt taGt subject Mr.. Hamer said
that thisis distinctively commercial
age ard every class OF people was or
ganiZad except the farmer and par.
ticularly the C )tton tot" He held
that thorough organ'z .tion would
enable the strong to help the weak
and that there should be tixe1 price
at which to sell cotton, that is, @
price for those with obligations and a
price for those in urgent need Of mon
ey. Mr. IIamer strongly advocated
the ware house system and pointed
out that with the operation OF the
cotton and oil mills, ware houses
could be successfully and economically
run. Mr.. Hamer is q practical man
and his talk being along practica
lines was we'll received. His remarks
were greeted with prolonged applause
The Hon. r L. Manning, VINO wa
next Introduce d, urged the necessity
OF thorough organization among The
farmers. Mr. Manning's speech wa
spirited and at times eloquent. II"
earnestness appealed to the audience
and he was fr,Q ntly interrupted
with applause. lie believed in th'
bonded ware house and urged th'
farmer to hold his cotton and borrow
money whenever the price was so low
that 1T did not pay him to sell. Mr.
Manning made good impression or
his audience and at the conclusion O.
his remarks was followed by the Hon
Tt, IA, In Inc n IyOY
uine sensation was sprung, which
created Juror In the audience.
THE DIsPENsARY INTRODUCED.
Mr.. McLaurin had been speaking
but few minutes and had paused
after an eloquent and touching de
scription OF the horrors OF the recon
stJuction period. when young nal
walked rapidly across the front or tn
stage and handed him the following
note:
"Senat0r: At our committee meet
ing yesterday we decided we we're al
OF one accord on the cotton question
having read much on the subject an
having many able speakers who wi
follow you here today. For tina
reason we de c!ded that we would re
mind you that the burning questio
of the hour with us Is, and will be- fC
the immediate future, dispensary c
no dispensary, and If you have n
serious objections would like to hca
your views on the subject. What q
YOU think of the dispensary law as
Is written on the statue books OF TIL
State, as 1t has been, is, and probab'
will be, as long as 1t is q law execute
by those In authority
''Wade Stackhousc,
NV. Il. BeLhea,
''Wm. M. Hamer,
''E l. Moore,
sc r.. IIamer."
As.Mr. McLanrin read the note
half amused smile played oyer n
features, Then turning to the aud
enca, with a dramatic wave or a
hand, he said that his record IN u
Senate was evidence suhicieht thaC
had never been afraid TO express II
views on any q icstion, ana alolouR
he had come here prepared TO Ia
about cotton he would at the reque'
OF the committee state his views
the most corrupt institution that ev
cursed q State This announcemeI
was greeted with shouts OF applaus
MHLAURIN APpLAUDED.
Instantly the dnnrWays ana WI
dows became crowded and men leant
forward In their seats to catch eve
word that fell from his lips AlthOul