The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-06-13
Senator TiIlman's Power.


In an article which we copy from the W ash
ingtnn Post, high and truthful tribute If
paid 10 Senator TilIman, and with all OF
which we agree. except that the people sup
port the dispensary at his suggestion. Our
testimony would be that the people recog-
nlZe In 1t the best liquor law that we ever
had.
The enemies 1t has made Is enough TO make
friends to it. While we cannot speak
as to each one, yet we believe that
barkeepers everywhere have been opposed
to 1t. Repeatedly license advocates have
had 1t in the Courts. The liquor associations
Of other States, we believe, have encouraged
our people 10 violations ofthe law. Barkeep
ers Of Charleston have defied,the law. The con-
slant agitation against the law has been kept
up by the friends of the licensed bars.
The dispensary has been supported almost
wholly by the sober people.
Corruption In the management of the dis
pensary, wherever 1t exists. has been con-
demued alike by friends and enemies OF the
system.
Friends OF the dispensary condemn the
wrong because 1t is wrong. And they Dc
mand that existing abuses shall be corrssesd.
The bar.room or license men condemn the
corruption in the hope ofkilling the law.
The bar-room or license element, oppose
the dispensary, and tell US that the law Can
not be en- nforced. They would take advantage
OF the existing condition to break down the
law, rather than make effort to correct the
abuses.
There Is still another small division OF our
people calling themselves prohlbitionists, OF
whose conduct and action we are not pre-.
pared TO speak. Why they align themselves
with the barroom or license element has not
been explained TO US. We do not understand
this division of our people. In their natural
alignment for the cause OF temperance and
against he sale and use OF Ii auor, everybody
respects prohlbitionists. But when they
turn their backs on their natural allies 10 60
atraightway into the liquor camp we are
as founded.
We think that there Is not "prohibi-
zionist" in this State who has 80 little lntelll0
gence as not TO know that the advocates OF
the bar-room or license system are leading
the opposition TO the dispensary. How they,
knowing that this great fight on the dsspen'
sary is made for the avowed or expressed
purpose Of opening the bars, can lend them
selves for that purpose is what We do not un-
del stand. The prohibitionists are not fools
Their action IN joining the fight against the
law which liquor sellers everywhere despise
can be accounted for only by the power OF the
city press over the minds Of editors who
were born to follow aud not to lead. City
papers every where, as far as our Information
goes, favor the license system and oppose
prohibition.
II fprohibitioinists were in earnest In thei
efforts for the curtailment OF the sale OF liquor
why do they seek to do away with the
prohibition which We now have from sunset
10 sunrise Why do they lend their influence
to party that would open bars fifteen ol
eigh teen hours every day In the week, back
doors o: which might not always be closed
on Sunday?
If the dispensary liquor is bad thing
why do the prohibitionists join the license
people In theiy efforts to restore barrooms
when a half dozen dram shops might be
opened where there is now only one dispen.
sary -?
No one can doubt the sincerity OF the men
who want to open the bars. but we do moi
know how to classify or how to characterizs
alleged prohbitionists who 60 straight into
the liquor camp. Their past lives would
preclude the possibility Of any thought thai
they had been bribed by the promise or hope
OF office to do this great thing. Their intel IL
gence is such that their act ia confusing.
Otherwise they seem to be In full possession
OF their mental faculties with their
moral qualities unimpaired. Itanyeody can
explain how a man can ride two horses al
the same time which are going In opposite
directions, we should be glad to hear from
him.