The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1906-05-16
To Fight the Dispensary.

newspapers of tho State for publica-
ton. 1t will be observed that it ia
signed by number of gentlemen who
have been conspicuous in their oppo-
sition to the State dispensary:
TO the Democratic Voters Of South
Carolina: As citizens Of South Caro-
lima opposed to the present State dis-
pensary system, we the undtrsigued.
call upon our fellow citizens OF like
opinion to unite for the purpose of
organizing the opposition to the dis
pensary aysteIn.
So nearly of one mind concerning
the dispcnsary system are the people
of the State that it il only by their
failure to unite for action that the dis
pensa1y can be preserved. 1t Is only
by default that the dlsprnhary can win
another victory. before tile electors Or
Ill tho Legislature, and 1t viii be fool
hardy fox those who desire ilS over
throw to sit supinrly by and sce the
perniclous system again cnthroncu III
power IN our commonwealth.
Every sincere, patriotic citizen must
regret that tlIIs issue should be again
the paramount question in II South
Carolina campaign. But as long Az
the dlsVtnsury remains just SO long
will 1t continue to be the paramount
issue, and it should. therefore, be the
desire OF every thoughtful citizen to
see this fostering sore removed and Il
healthier 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 Offering policies for the time be-
Ing laid aside, the demand first, now,
be made that the State dispeneary
system shall be destroyed.
On trial now for thirteen years, for
tilted all the time by strong support
and as truly protected by unceusing
criticism and watchfulness. there is no
need to point out the evils which the
State monopoly of the whiskey traffic
has bred. Corruption ct the fountain
head and in its branches, drunkenness
and murder, woe and misery have been
its products. A pe1nicious political
machine of gigantic proportions,
with q beavered lobby in Columbia,
aud willing ring in every county,
the monster has waxed fat. lnHolent
and defiant. The will of the people
hae been perverted and suppressed,
and when finally demanding express
sion that demand has been thwnrted
and circumvented by appeals to the
trivial technicalities of tho law.
In eighteen counties the people have
spoken and in all these except two
their voice has in thunder tones repu-
dated the system. In other counties
they are now ready to give expression
to- their will, awaiting the summer
primary: In this primary, where the
will be and should be d cided, it is
vitally necessary that the opposition
to the dispensary shall be active and
united: 1t is only by action and union
that the dispensary has been voted
out OF sixteen counties under the
Brice law and by no other means than
action and union con the system be
uprooted from the State.
remains for them to make their decis-
ion effective. They must choose rep.
resentatives who will repeal such laws
as they. desire to have repealed, and
who Will enact such laws as they de-
sire enacted. Then they must put in
office men who, in full sympathy, will
enforce justly and vigorously what
ever laws are upon the statute books.
The people have shown, by their eager
corded them, that they believe in the
principle of local self-goYernment,
and now. lest they have this inalien-
able right again wrested from them,
the free citizens OF South Carolina
must make their sovereign power
1ole. Ihere muet he elected q legisla-
ture which will not renounce this
principle. wh:ch will not yield to the
diepensary machine; there muet he
elected executive and prosecuting Off
ata:s |hc vii! nes permit the law
ing:
We suggest consultation and co, op-
GRAFTON in every county and through
out the State that these ends may be
attained.
J. s. Brice. j. G. Otis, D. R. Coker.
James A.: Hoyt. Louis j. Bristow, w.
L: Mauldin, Jos. A. MCCULLOUGH, J.
". Hamel, w. H. Wallace, Is. w,
Hiott. w. G. Allen. Howell Nj Morrall,
Cnas. A. Smith, r. l.. Freemnu, g. b.
Edwards, A: B. Stucky, y. +. Brad
iey' Laban Mauldin, e. Il. Martin, r.
Featherstone, 7. r. Waring.