The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-07-30
LIQUOR QUESTION PARAMOUNT
Correspondent Of New York Sun De-
scribes Condition in Charleston
and in South Carolina.
Editorial Correspondence Of the New
York Sun.

Editorial correspondence VI CHe A>0"
York Sun.
Charleston, S. c., July 23.-Soutt
Carolina seems to have unique ano
special situation Of its own. In near
" all the rest Of the southern state:
the investigator hears Of Bryan as q
possibility to be reckoned with-as
a superstition, as a problem, as an
anaesthetic. Here nobody considers
him as an unpleasant "reminiscences
Democrats are immersed in guam
dary, no Doubt, but there is no ques-
ton Of Bryan. That shadow has
blown over once for all. It is still con-
ceivable that the leaders Of thought
and the contrivers Of political action
in this state may eventually abandon
to chance the question Of Democratic
leadership for 1906. Having no favor
ite son Of their own and perceiving
no candidacy. of special promise in
the immediate neighborhood, it is
quite upon the cards that they will
refer the South Carolina delegation
to the counsels Of the National Con-
vention and return to a closer con-
temptation of their local complica-
tions. which for the moment are sufi-
GENTLY absorbing.
As a matter Of fact, unless atten-
ton should be seriously concentrated
upon some acceptable and promising
candidacy within the next few months
the probabilities all are that the ma
tural captains of the party will leave
the Democracy at large to look out
for itself. It is not that they feel no
interest inthematter. On the contrary
they need only the most fleetlng
glimpses Of real prospect to arouse
them to instant energy of action. In
the circumstances, however, discern
ing no sign Of hope upon the horizon
and having much to engage their soil
tudes at home, they seem likely to
ignore outside politics altogether.
That field at present offers them no
occupation worthy Of their notice.
They see nothing more than repeti-
ton of the utilities and disasters of
the last ten years, and they feel little
inclination to concern themselves in
the details of disaster. So far as they
can tell just now, it may be the Bry-
an banner by default.
Meanwhile-and here lies the true
explanation of. their Indifference to
the national campaign Of next year
Charleston is in the throes of the IL
quor agitation. The dispensary estab-
1ishment contrived by Tillman some
years ago has been abolished by law,
and yet it remains. In other words,
the dispensary is no longer obligatory,
nor is it a state Institution, even
where it survives. Nevertheless, when
ever counties or localities have de-
c8ared against total prohibition the
dispensary remains as the only lawful
medium through which the popular
thirst can be appeased. The idea Of
the legislators was to make the liqu-
or traffic a source Of revenue in such
counties, towns, etc., as might vote
in favor Of that traffic, thereby
combining the principle Of local op-
ton with provident contribution to
the public exchequer. But the old
prejudice against the dispensary sys-
tenn has survived the downfall Of the
Objectionable and tryanical features
of that system.
Although communities are now
free to enrich their own treasures
through liquor or to abstain altogether
from the socalled evil, they seem no
better pleased with the new arrange
ment than they we're with the old.
In Charleston particularly the issue
has become acute. Large quantities
Of wine, whiskey, beer and all kinds
Of more or less intoxicating liquids
are consumed in this town, and YET
the dispensaries are doing very lit
tie business. The profits which ought
to 60 INTO the Charleston strong box.
financing the local government and
to that extent relieving the taNpay-
ers, find their way into the pockets
Of the illicit dealers almost entirely.
The stuff is carried into t. ,1n by rail,
by express, by water routes. Hotels,
clubs and saloons purchase their sup
plies in this way, and the legitimate
sources Of distribution are left vir-
tually to silence and the cobvebs.
Of course the explanation is to
forr1 in Tho o.ro0a,io1c b,,noan in