Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1908-12-09
THE FIGHT FOR PROHIBITION.
Movement for Statewide Prohibition
has Been Launched.
{ Cor. News and Courier.)

7
Columbia. Dec. 3.--The Conference
OF Prohibitionists, held in the Sem
ate chamber this afternoon, decided
10 ask the General Assembly to pass,
at the coming session, an iron-clad
State prohibition law, and comnit-
tee, consisting of State Senator J. G.
Otis, of Cherokee, and Representa-
tiyes 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,
Rev. E. @. Burts, of Edgefield, the
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 Rev. ].
l.. Harley, secretary of the League.
1t was intended originally to hold
also mass meeting tonight in the
hall Of the house, to be addressed by
DR.. A. P. Baker, secretary of the Ma
tional 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 35
present at the afternoon session.
Secretary Harley stated tonight
that every county would be organized
for prohibition.
us 1t Intended, Mr.. Harley" said
the reporter, "that the proposed bill
shall be an iron-clad prohibition law
without any options whatever"
1T will be straight prohibition
BILL" 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 others,
so that all Objectionable features may
be eliminated. Yes, the conference
declared for State prohibition, 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
Legislature here also.
The conference brought to Colum-
bia number Of prominent men from
different parts Of the State. The pre-
Rev. e. G. Burts, is one of the strong
est young Baptist ministers in the
State-strong in character, ability
and personality, as well as in ply
sique. Mr. Burts Is a son of Bap-
tist minister and graduate of Fur
man University.
Prominent among the prohibition
advocates is Hon. c. G, Featherstone,
of Laurens, who was here to-day. Mr..
Featherstone recently announced that
he would be candidate for Governor
in 1910 on the platform of State pro-
hibition, for which he has been con-
tending for years. He made the race
on that platform in 1898 and came
very mean success.
The two Smiths, who were ap-
pointed on the special committee, are
big men in more ways than one, and
this seems to be good State and
good time for Smiths.
G. A. Smith, of Florence, Is new to
politics, but a veteran in good works.
He is merchant at Timmonsville,
and was recently elected to the house
from Florepce county. He has serv-
ed several terms as president of the
State Baptist Convention, and is the
chairman Of the board Of trustees of
Hon. Mendel l.. Smith, Of Camden,
was here in attendance on the Su-
preme Court, and was also Inv tied to
the prohibition convention. Mr..
Smith, while in the house, Of which
he was speaker for two terms, stood
for the State dispensary, but now
is prohibition advocate, and sup
ported prohibition in the county con-
test He has been sent back to the
house from Kershaw and is pledged
to introduce a prohibition bill He
says that the house has a majority
for prohibition. Mr.. Smith was ask
ed to-day If he had any announcement
to make with regard to the Guber-
material race in 1910, since two in
teresting statements had recently
been made with regard to candidates
in that year, but he only smiled his
engaging smile.
Another Gubernatorial possibility
arrived this afternoon to attend the
Prohibition Condemnation. John
G. Richards, ,>of Kershaw. Capt. Rich
ards-for he Is also an officer in the
National Guards-has bees sent to
the house from Kershaw for five or
six terms, and Is a leader In that
body. He is committed to the pas
sage of prohibition bill, having al
ways supported the State dispensary,
as step to prohibition, and being
himself always a total abstainer.