The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-10-25
WILL IT VOTE PROHIBITION
Advocates Of Former State System
Expected to Line Up With County
Dispensaryites at Coming Session,
Though Some of Them Will Vote
For Prohibition,

For Prohlb1tlon.'
A special from Columbia to the
Charleston Post says the most absorb
ing political topic in this state just at
this time is whether the coming legis-
lature will abolish the county dispen-
sary system and vote the state dry
throughout. Nov the belief seems to
prevail generally over the state tnat
the legislature succeeding this will
enact a state prohibition law, but
talks your correspondent has had,
with many members of the legisla-
ture and with local political leaders
from many sections of the state visit
ing Columbia confirms the opinion
held by many close observers that the
present legislature will, with Gov. An
sell support the present law. It is
recognized that there ara many small
defects in the present county option
law, and it is likely that Gov. Ansel
will recommend afnumber of changes
to cure this, but it seems almost GER
tain that the system as whole will
be continued.
There is no doubt that the prohibi-
ionists will make a determined fight
to wipe out the county option system,
and there are indications that they
feel hopeful Of winning. But they
know that in order to win they must
have the support of the old state dis
pensary adherents. That some Of the
state dispenssry 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 prohibition
lists There is no way Of telling ac-
curately how many Of the state dis
pensary members will vote with the
prohibitionists, but there is good rea-
son to believe that majority Of them
will vote to sustain the county option
scheme.
Two Of the most influential and
able Lien in the present legislature,
Senator LeGrand Walker, Of George
town. and chairman Of the house,
ways and means committee, J. A.
Banks, of Orangeburg, state dispen-
saxy leaders, have recently expressed
themselves as determined to support
the county system next spring.
Mr.. R. II. Welch, of this city, who
as the law partner of ex-Attorney
General Bellinger, has been in close
touch with the state dispcnsary fac
ton through the litigation that has
been wsged over the subject the past
few years, and who has been making
frequent trips to various parts Of the
state in furtherance Of this litigation,
is among those who are confidently
of the opinion that the county system
will not be abolished next spring.
"The prohibitionists are relying on
the state dispensary people to help
them carry a prohib onillbitiETAO
them carry a prohibition bill," sail
Mr.. Welch, "but in my judgement
they are going to wake up sadly mis-
taken when the vote is taken. I have
talked to large number Of state dis
pensary people, members of the leg
islature, and I think I am safe in say
ing that they will almost without ex-
ception vote with tie county disper-
sary advocates next spring, which Is
the logical thing to expect Of them.
They do not believe the whole state is
ripe for prohibition, and especially
are they against enacting suca law
without machinery to enforce it. They
lined up with the prohibitionists gen.
orally last session, but that was du2
partly to pique and partly to desire
to choke off the county dispensary
neOple. Tn nv Indictment the prohi-