The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-02-28
For Governor.

It has been suggested that Mr.. Geo. B.
Cromer, of Newberry, may run as a proniol-
ton candidate for Governar In case Senator
Tillman should be q candidate for Govern
or as supporter ofthe dispensary. MI. Cromer
Is no doubt q most esLimable citizen but II
we are to Judge Of him by his published let
tiers against TIllman aud the dispensary, he
Is not the man to lead In a great struggle. He
might possibly be elected Governor, but If 80,
1t would not be because OF any strength he
might give to the movement.
In the first place Mr.. Cromer is too intelli-
gent q man 10 believe that the prohibitionists
in this State have much strength in them
selves. The saloon men or the drinking men,
or the advocates Of free liquor are q power.
I'VE hardly know how to classify such peo-
pie 80 as to be entirely agreeable. We mean
no dlsrespect to those who hold to honest
convictions, whethet they are for prohibition
or II they favor license, high license, or any
other liquor law
But a union OF all the forces that oppose the
dispensary are no doubt a power. The idea
Of q prohibitionist Of Mr.. Cromer' inteili'
gence trying to lead the liquor men has In 1t
something ofthe ludlcrous.
The LIQUOR question has not yet been SET
tied. and we cannot have prohibition in fact
until the heads Of families teach their child.
rem the danger OF drinking liquor. We can.
not have pro ibltion until there is a moral
sentiment ~favorine It
How an intelligent and conscientious pro-
h%lbitionist can hope to be governor by the
votes OF the saloon element is more than we
can understand.
whoever may be elected Governor as
a prohibitionist will receive the office from
the saloon element, and the officer is bound
to be true 10 the men who elected him.
There Ia not an idiot in all Of South Carroll
ma who does not know that no prohibition.
list could be elected without the votes OF the
saloon element.
We presume that 1t will not be denied that
the whole army Of saloon men are against the
dispensary and would vote for any ID"
against It. In this they are right.
~Pirst-Because barkeepers have been de
prived Of the right to secure license for a busi
ness which they regard as right and legiti'
mate.
Second-Because liquor drinkers. or dram
drinkers, honestly and copscientiously resent
the enactment OF any law which curtails theil
rights 10 drink at all hours OF the day. and
which shuts them of from the most pleasan,
places which they may visit at night.
Third-Because the closing OF the bars has
thrown a great number Of men out Of en-
ployment.
Fourth-Because a great many real estate
owners have been deprived Of the right to
rent their property for use as a bar room.
Fihh-Because the dispensary closed from
shutdown Saturday until Monday morning,
dram drinking on Sunday has been stopped,
and will not be resnmed as long as We nave
the dispensary.
When the little squad of prohibitionists can
fee, assur ed ofthe support Of the votes OF all
the indictments 1t ia the strongest argument
to the weak side ofs prohibitionist's natnre'
There may be q man in South Carolina WHIT
thinks that be could be elected Governor
without the liauort vote. but without bis s.
surance Of such belief. we shall not believe
II. And we do not see how a prohibitionist
wants to secure Office by lIqur votes.