The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-12-08
STATEWIDE PROHIBITION.
Seaalor Otis ana Re- ce>entaI YES
Richards and G.. A. and M. L.
Smith, Appointed to Draft
Bill.
News and Courier.

senate chamber this afternoon. decid-
ed to ask the general assembly to pass,
at the coming session, an iron-clad
State prohibition law, and commit
tee consisting of Senator J. c. OTIS,
Of Cherokee. and Representatives
John G.. Richards. Of Kershaw, lar
les 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 Edgefield,
president Of the Anti-Saloon League,
Of South Carolina. presided. The con-
ference was held behind closed doors,
and the announcement Of its action
was made tonight by the Rev. J. B..
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.. P. A. Baker, secretary Of the ma
tional Anti-Saloon League, but DR..
Baker could not be here and the meet
ing tonight was called off. The open
convention, set for tomorrow. was al
50 abandoned. as several Of those
present this evening desired to re-
turn home. There were about thirty
five present this afternoon.
Secretary Harley stated tonight
that every county would be organiz-
ed for prohibition.
FIs it intended, Mr.. Harley" said
the reporter. 'Ethat the proposed bill
shall be an iron-clad prohibition law
without any options whatever?"
'sIt will be a 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 Dill
were all present at the conference.
and all four of them are members of
She incoming legislature. There were
several other members of the legisla-
ture here also.
The conference brought to Colum-
bia a number of prominent men from
61ifferent sections Of the State. The
esident Of the league in this State,
Rev. C. E. Burts, is one Of the
<6ngest young Baptist ministers in
The State-Strong in character, abil-
ity and personality, as we'll as physi-
que. Mr.. Burts is the son Of Bap-
tist minister and a graduate of Fur
man University.
Prominent among the prohibition
advocates is the Hon. G.. G.. Feather
stone, Of Laurens. who was here today.
Mr.. Featherstone recently announced
that he would be candidate for gov
ernor in 1910 on the platform Of State
prohibition. for which he has. been
contending for years He made the
race on that platfrom in 1898 and
and came very near success.
The two Smiths. who were appoint
ed on the special committee, are big
men in more ways tl,an one and this
seems to he good State an; good
:i.na for Smiths.
Mr.. G.. A. Smith, of Florence: is
new 70 nolitics. but a veteran in good
works. He is merchant Of T!mmons-
vile and was recently elected to the
house from Florence county. He has
served several terms as president Of
the State Baptist convention, ana IS
chairman Of the board Of trustees CT
Furman university.
Mr.. Mendel L. Smith, Of Camden,
was here in attendance on the ST.
nrene court. and was also invited to
the prohibition conference. Mir.
Smith. while in the house. Of which
he was speaker for two terms, stood
for the State dispensary. but now Is
q prohibition advocate, and support
ed prohibition in the county contest.
He has been sent back to the house
from KerShaw and is pledged to in
troduce a prohibition bill. He SAWS
the house has a majority for prohlbi-
tor. Mr.. Smith was asked today IT
he had anv announcement to make