The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-09-19
CAN'T IT Be. DONE?
MR.. CLAYTON QUESTIONS PRAC-
TICABILITY OF ANSEL'S
PLATFORM.
Matters In the State Apt to Be In
Chaos If State Dispensary Is Done
Away With.

Editor Florence Times: A great
hurrah is being made that the dis
pensary is dead and nine tenths of
those who voted to kill it, actually
believe that they will have the pleas
ure of attending its funeral next
January. This does very well for
people who had proclaimed that they
would get much and have actually
realized so little. There is no doubt
that the dispensarites have control OF
both branches Of the legislature. The
anti-dispensary papers deny this but
fail to show as they do, the names
and how they stand on each man
elected. The State some time since
gave the senate as 21 dispensary to
1e anti, with four counties to hold a
second primary. Rogers, Of Marl-
boro, makes 22, and gives the antics
the other and it brings them to 19,
a clear majority Of for the State
dispensary. AS to the house we can
give no definite figures, but to our
recollection Williamsburg is the
only county in which the dispensary
has lost two votes, while it has gained
in Marion, Marlboro, Chesterfield,
Lancaster, York, Richland, Union and
perhaps other counties, making a
clear majority Of from 8 to IL, for
the dispensary in the house. But for
the sake Of argument, let US suppose
that both branches Of the legislature
will repeal the law which authorizes
State dispensary, what then, each
county may have a county dispen-
sary or. prohibition, that was AnsePs
platform New can that platform be
carried ont2 We say yes. But at
the total disregard of all business
principles, the constitution Of South
Carolina says, "after enumerating
what the legislature can or may do
in regard to the sale of liquor, and
may authorize and empower State,
County and municipal officers, all Or
either, under the authority and in the
name of the State, to buy in any
market and retail within the State
liquors and beverages in such pack
ages and quantities under such rules
and regulations as it deems expedi-
ent.'"
Now that we can carefully look into
matsrs, the election being over and
no further incentive TO throw dust in
the vgters eyes, it is readily seen that
we hawe county, city or State dispen-
saries, as the legislature may see fit
to empower, but the liquor must be
bought in the name of the State.
thereby making the State responsible
for the debts incurred by counties or
cities running dfspensaries. Now
that would be thought of an indi-
vidual or corporation. from business
standpoint that would establish
thirty OF Forty places of business, al
low the focal manager of each to buy
in its OF has name, be responsible for
the debts Of all, and not reserve the
right Of inspection OK management.
To ask that question of sane men, Is
to answer it, and yet a governor has
been elected npon a platform that
proposes that South Carolina shall be
committed to such insanity. What
would 20 prohibition counties say as
to 21 dispensarY counties. p2edging
their taxes for sueh wild schemes But
says some enthusiast, what are you
going to do with that clause Of the
constitution which says under such
rules and regulations as it deems ex-
pedient" can't the legislature pass an
act exemptng the State from liability.
ffS clliS W cI llO, ISI IA Lie SOoQS oAN
bought in the name Of the State and
credit is given up on the strength Of
that name. The United States consti-
tuition comes in and says no State
shall pass any law impairing the OBJ
legations of contracts" So in any as
pect Of the case the State is the re-
sponsible party, and being responsible
we feel confident that she will super
wise her e~1it, so that it cannot be
abused.
These matters will come up before
the legislature and there are some
good lawyers in that body, and it
really looks as though the anti-dis-
pensary army has, like that of a GER
tain King Of old, marched up the
hill and then marched down again.
". F. Clayton.
Capt. NJ. Kennedy died Saturday