The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1905-08-08

with =.
Tie 2eopc are treated - co.:nM">
and Columns OF can: and hypocr;t:ca:
moraiiz:ng and Sermonizing on the
rottenness and corruption and evils
OF the diSpensary system while the
sole purpose OF the crusade in the
opinion OF the best and closest obser-
vers is that morality and temperance
have no place in the hearts and. minds
OF these men, but that their only hope
and desire is to organize a movement
that will result in my political over
throw.
I want to say right here and now
that I had been elected governor
twice on other issues than liquor con-
troll and the dispensary had nothing
to do with my political fortunes. 1t
never contributed in THE slightest to
my election to the senate The settle
rnent Of he liquor question car:e to
nse unsought and I would have been
glad to have had nothing to do with
it. But as the issue was forced while
I vas governor I made such settle
ruent OF it as I deemed best in the
interest of temperance and morality
among the people of the state and
the ungratihed endorsement which
has been given the dispensary system
by the masses is sufficient justifca-
tio1 Of the wisdom of my action. |
had won the respect and confidence
Of the people because of their faith in
my integrity and character. If I
had consented to keep quiet and steer
clear Of state politics, having nothing
10 ia with local affairs as politician
would have don1. I would probably
have had less opposition and might
have continued in the senate without
having to fight for the place. The
position of senator is very high one
and I coveted the honor because I
believed that I could be of some SER
vice to the people Of the state. My
record in Washington will show
whether or not I have been able to
accomplish anything worthy the ad-
miration Of the people and to keep
my hold on their affections. I would
not retain the Office one minute long
er than I can hold it with honor and
maintain my self-respect. 1t would
be cowardly to lose sight Of the pub
lie welfare in the pursuit Of my per-
sonal ambition. I believe the dis
pensary system to be the best for
the people and for the cause OF tenn
persnce and so believing, I have ac-
ted. I believe now that the law can
be changed so as TO preclude the pos
sibi1:ty of corruption in the purchase
OF whiskey for the state dispensary,
and 1T would rest with the people
whether or not the regulations and
rules governing the local dispensa-
ries are observed. No law can ad-
minister itself and when the grand
juries fail. as they have failed. to see
that the dispensary law is enforced
in tire counties the people themselves
are 10 blame.
No system OF liquor selling OF pro-
htbit:on either can ever succeed any
better than the dispensary has sue
cec,ted. unless there is an enlightened
ard determined public upinion which
ccmpels observance to the law If
the legislature at its next session will
make suS.l amendment and changes
in the law as | am prepared to offer,
the Doldest and most unscrupulous
enemies OF the system will be COM
Del,ed to declare that there is no
roc@? for graft Thar the law is
noY: discreditcd by many who were
once its slaunch supporters is due
entirely TO the schening OF those who
have changed it and taken the power
from the hands Of the governor
where it rightly belongs and placed
it i, lie hands of the Il g;slature and
its creatures. Ii there is corruption
il ought to tc punished and the sys-