The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-12-08

STATE LEGISLATURE

STATE LEGISLATURE
State Leaders in Fight Against
Whiskey Business Meet at Colun'-
bia and Committee of Three is
APPOINTED to Draft Bill to Be
Presented to Legislature.
| Columbia, Dec. 3.-The confer
ence of Prohibitionists, held in the
Senate chamber this afternoon, de-
cided to ask the General Assembly
to pass, at the coming session, an
iron-clad State Prohibition law, and
q committee consisting of Senator j.
C. Otis, of Cherokee, and Represen-
tative John G. Richards, of KershaW,
Charles A. Smith, Of Florence, and
Mendel l.. Smith, of Kershaw, was
appointed to draft the bill that will
be submitted to the Legislature.
The Rev. C. E. Burts, of Edge
field. president OF the Anti-Saloon
League, of South Carolina, presided.
The conference was held behind
closed doors, and the announcement
of its action was made tonight by
the Rev. ]. E. Harley, secretary OF
the League.
It was intended originally to hold
also a. mass meeting tonight in the
hall of the House to- be addressed by
DR.. P. F. Baker, secretary of the
National Anti-Saloon League, but
DR.. Baker could not, be here and the
meeting tonight was called off. The
open convention, set for tomorrow.
was also abandoned, as several Of
those present this evening desired
to return home. There were about
thirty-fve present this afternoon.
SECRETARY Harley stated tonight
that every county would be orga-
nized for Prohibition.
as it intended, Mr.. Harley" said
the REPORTER, 'that the proposed bill
shall be an iron-clad Prohibition law
without any options whatever?"
"It will be a straight Prohibition
bin, replied Mr.Harley, with no
county options or anything of that
kind at all. The gentlemen named
as the committee will draw up the
bill along the, lines laid down by
the conference. and submit it to 9TH
ers, so that all objectionabl features
may be eliminated. Yes, the con-
ference declared for State Prohibit
ion, and we will try to keep out the
drug store bar rooms"
The gentlemen named as the COM
mittee to frame the Prohibition bill
were all present at the conference,
and all four of them are members
of the incoming Legislature. There
were several other members of the
League here also.
The conference brought to Colum-
bia a number of prominent men from
different sections of the State. The
president of the League in this
State. the Rev. G.. E. Burts, is one
of the strongest young Baptist min
listers in the State-stronT in char
acter. ability and personality, AS well
as physique. Mr.. Burts is the son
of a Baptist minister and gradu-
ate Of Furman University.
Prominent among the Prohibition
advocates is the Hon. c. c. Feather
stone, of Laurens, who was here to-
day. Mr.. Featherstone recently an
nounced that he would be candi-
date for Governor in 1910 on thu
platform of State Prohibition, fo'
which he has been contending for
years. He made the race on that
platform in 1896 and came very
near success.
The two Smiths who were appoint
ed on the special committee are big
men in more ways than one, and this
seems to be good State and good
time for Smiths.
Mr.. C. A. Smith, of Florence, is
new to politics, but a veteran in
good works. He is merchant OF
Timmonsville and was recently elect
ed to the House from Florence coun-
ty. He has served several terms
as president of the State Baptist
Convention. and is chairman of the
board of trustees of Furman Uni
versity.
Mr.. Mendef L. Smith, Of Camden.
s was here in attendance on the Sill
preme Court. and was also invite
to the Prohibition conference. Mr.
Smith, while in the House. Of which
he was speaker for two terms, stood
for the State dispensary, but now Is
a Prohibition advocate, and support
ed Prohibition in the county con-
test. He has been sent ''ck to tn"
House from Kershaw and IS pledged
to introduce a Prohibition bill. Hc
says the House has majority for
Prohibition. Mr. Smith was asked
.,a,,t;f 1,o nod q M announcement