The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-02-21
Ia Charlotte Tired OF Prohibition 7

Only q few weeks ago, or possibly three
months ago, the whiskey shops OF Charlotte
N. C.. were closed, and the Charlotte Observer
and prohibitionists in this State, raised 9
mighty shout OF rejoicing. The people i'm
mediately quit drinking in that city and
there were no more ~drunkards to be seen.
The Mayors court, 30 to speak, became 9
temperance lodge where the policemen
might open a Sunday School or a Bible class
every morning in the week. But sensible
people everywhere who were not drunk with
righteous rejoicing, have known all along
that this glorious state Of affairs was not
long to last. Even the Charlotte Observer
who led the prohibition rejoicing, is getting
sober. AS his reasoning power asserts Itself
light begins TO dawn, and he begins TO see
things as they are. We find in the Rock
Hill Herald the following article credited to
the Observer:
SIN q few weeks Charlotte will be talking
d,spensary. The movement is near the sur
face now. Already the dispensaryites are al
work, They are said TO be none.o thers.than
some OF the prominent members Of the coun.
ty "ring."
"A gentleman very high In municipal poll
tics said yesterday that the dispensary people
are hxlng the legislative slate 80 as to include
people who will vote IN me municipal gov
aary promises TO be the chief question OF dis
+, cussiou In the coming campaign.
Who are the dispensaryites? The few who
voted for q dispensary In the last election, a
great many more who voted for prohibition
and all, or practically, all OF the saloon men.
What argument will they put up? was
asked q city Official.
.sIn the first place." he answered "They
will say that Charlotte is too big 10 be a dry
town that II won't work at all, and they
will cite you to the blind tigers"
Then, again. the ef1cial continued, they
will call attention to how the city's debt can
be paid, and there will be upward ola million
dollars. They will say that a properly con
conducted the dispenssry VIII Clear 1or tne
years the debt can be paid, and there will be
plenty Of money IN the treasury for munich
pal improvements. including Tryon and
Trade streets laid In vttrihed brick and q city
park to be proud Of"
One has but 10 keep his cars open to know
that the dispensary movement is real.
1t always has brought over US q tired feel
ing to hear the great size OF q city urged as
a reason for going into the saloon business.
And 1t fatigues US 10 hear a big town claim
that they are better, or are different from
other people. or that they should have a
special set Of avs for themselves.
It has been urged that saloons should not
be opened IN tne countTy ulsLTlCLs Wnere
there are no policemen.
It is urged that prohibitory laws cannot be
enforced where the greatest number Of police
men are 10 be found.
A few nondescripts, assuming the name OF
prohibitionists, recently voted in our Legis-
for high license, or something to that
effect.
In South Carolina there ia no prohibition
marty that can be seen with the naked eye.
but there are a few individuals. claiming to
be prohibitionists and therefore better than
the best Of US, who.will avowedly vote with
The saloon men as against the dispensary.
There are q few we'll meaning men who
will vote for high license, the worst and most
OF all the forms of licensing the
,ale of LIQUOR.
So 1t will be seen that there Is just now q
,reat mix up" of politicians and temperance
.eformers.
Until the war on the dispensary began the
were as far as possible from sym.
With the license advocates, and their
the ranks of the whiskey men In
heir demand for drinking saloons was until
eceutly an unheard OF proposition.
But now preachers may be seen In the
motley ranks of whiskey lovers. saloon adj
COATES and other haters Of the dispensary. Il