The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-10-25
WILL 1T VOTE PROHIBITION

AP'e'0u w h1Ao Up WlIn COunCy
Dispensaryites at Coming Session,
Though Some of Them Will Vote
For Prohibition.
y special from Columbia to the
Charleston Post says the most absorb
IN" political topic in this state lust at
this time is whether the coming lcois-
laturr will abolish the county lispcn-
Sary system and vote the state dry
throughout. NQw the belief seems to
prevail generally over the state that
the legislature succeeding this will
enact a state prohibition law, but
talks your correspondent has had
with many members of the legisla-
tur' and with local political leaders
from many sections Of the state visit
my Columbia confirms the opinion
held by many close observers that the
present legislature will, with Gov. An
sci, support tho present law. It is
recognized That there aro many small
defects in the present county option
law, and it is likely that Gov. Anscl
will recommend number of changes
to euro this, but it seems almost Ger
tain that the system as Il whole will
be continued.
There Is no doubt that the prohibi-
>lonlsts will make a determined fight
to wipe out the county option system,
and there are indications that t,l3y
feel hopeful OF winning. But they
know that in order to win they must
have the support of the old state dis
pcnsary adheronts. That some Of tho
state dispensary people will vote
with them there is no reason to doubt.
Among other dispensary leaders
John G. Richards has announced his
intention Of joining the prohibitions
lists. There is no way of telling ac-
curatcly how many Of the state dis
pcnSary members will vote with the
prohibltionistS. but there is good rea-
son to believe that a majority Of them
Will vote to sustain the county option
| scheme
Two Of thr mosi influential and
able Mrn in the present legislature,
Senator ["Grand Walker, Of George.
town. and chairman Of The house,
ways and means committee. j, A..
Banks, Of Oran%eburg. S,aie dispen-
Sary leaders. have recently expressed
themselves as determined TO support
the county system next spring.
Mr.. r. II. Wclch, of this city, who
as the law partner Of cx-Attorncy
General Bcllingcr, has been in close
touch with the state dispcnsary fac
ton through the litigation that has
been waged over the subject the past
few years, and who has been making
frequent trips to various parts Of the
state in turthcrancc Of this litigation,
Is among those who are confidently
OF lhc opinion that the coanty system
will not be abolished next spring.
"Thc prohibitionists are relying on
the state dispensary people to help
them carry a prohib onillbitiETAO
them carry n prohibition BILL" sail
Mr.. Welch, "but in my judgement
they are going to wake up sadly mis-,
taken when the vote is taken. have
talked to large number Of state dis
pcnSary people, members of the leg,
iSlatnrc. and | think am safe in say
IN" that they will almost without cx,
ception vote with ihe county dispcn-
Sary advocates next spring, which is
the logical thing to expect Of them
They do not believe tho whole state is
ripe for prohibition, and especially
arc they against enacting such a law
without machinery to enforce it. They
lined up with the prohibitionists gen,
orally last session, but that was du
partly to pique and partly to a desire
to choke off the county dispensary
'pcople. In my Judgment the prohi,