The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-05-09
ANTI-DISPENSARY FIGHT.
ALL THE OPPONENTS CALLED ON
TO UNITE FOR CAMPAIGN.
An Address That Says Nothing About
Prohibition. But Urges a Fight to
Destroy the Dispensary System Re-
gardless of What Shall Come After.
To the Democratic Voters Of South
Carnlino

OS~& OAA11SN'
AS citizens OF South Carolina op-
posed to the present State dispensary
system, we, the undersigned, call upon
our fellow citizens of like opinion to
unite for the purpose of organizing
the opposition to the dispensary sys-
tenn
So nearly of one mind concerning
the dispensary system are the people
of the State that it is only by their
failure to unite for action that the
dispensary can be preserved. It is
only by default that the dispensary
can win another victory, before the
electors or in the legislature, and it
will be foolhardy for those who de-
sire its overthrow to sit supinely by
and see the pernicious system again
enthroned in po3er in our common
wealth.
Every sincere, patriotic citizen must
regert that this issue should be again
the paramount question in South
Carolina campaign. But as long as
the dispensary remains just so long
will it continue to be the paramount
issue, and it should therefore be the
desire of every thoughtful citizen to
see this fostering sore removed and a
healtheier condition secured. To this
end we invite the cooperation Of all
those who believe the State dispensary
system to be an evil and propose that,
other differing policies for the time be-
ing laid aside, the demand, first now,
be made that the State dispensary
system shall be destroyed.
On trial now for 13 years, forti-
fed all the time by strong support
and as truly protected by unceasing
criticism and watchfulness, there is
| no need to point out the evils which
| the State monopoly Of the whiskey
traffic has bred. Corruption at the
fountainhead and in its branches,
| drunkenness and murder, woe and
misery have been its products. A per-
| nicious political machine of gigantic
| proportions, with a beavered lobby
in Columbia and a willing ring in ev-
cry county, the monster has waxed fat,
| insolent and defiant. The will Of the
people has been perverted and sup
pressed, and when finally demanding
expression that demand has been
thwarted and circumvented by ~ap-
| peals to the trivial technicalities of the
law
| In IS counties the people have
| spoken and in all these except two
their voice has in thuder tones re-
pudiated the system. In other coun-
ties they are now ready to give ex-
preston to their will awaiting the
summer primary. In this primary,
where the life or death of the dispen-
sary Will be and should be decided, it
is vitality necessary that the opposi-
| ton to the dispensary shall be active
and united. It is only by action and
union that the dispensary has been
voted out OF 16 counties under the
Rrice law and by no other means than
action and union can the system be
uprcoted from the State.
The people are decided. 1t merel.
remains for them to make their de-
c:sion effective. They must choose
representatives who will repeal such
laws as they desire to have repealed
and who viii enact such laws as they
desire enacted Then they must put
in Office men, who. in full sympathy.
Will enforce justly and vigorously
whatever laws are upon the statute
books. The people have shown, by
| their eager acceptance Of the only op-
portunity accorded them: that they be-
i:eve in the principle of local self
government. and now lest they have
this alienable right again wrested
from the m, the free citize rs of South
Carolina must make their sovereign
power felt. There must be elected a
legislature which will not renounce
this principle, which will not yield to
the dispensary machine; there must
be elected executive and prosecuting
officials who will not permit the law
to be made mockery for its undoing.
We suggest consultation and coop
Grafton in every county and through
out the State that these ends may be
attained.
]. S. Brice. ]. c. OTIS, D. r. Coker.
James A. Hoyt, Louis ]. Bristow. W.
L. Mauldin, Jos. A Mccullough. j. W.
Hamel, w. H. Wallace. D. w. Hiott. |
W. c.. Allen. Howell Morrall. Chas. A. |
Smith r. L. Freeman. C. B. Edwards, |
A. B. Stuckey. d. F. Bradley, Leban |
Mauldn, C. T. Martin. r. F. Smith,
~ ~