The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1908-10-28
The Prohibitioaists are Fighting an Unresist-
ed Battle.

There was a prOhlOltlOn mass meet
ing held in the court house last Sunday
afternoon, which was well attended.
Mr.. w. N. Plowden presided. Rev. G.
W. Blanchard, pastor OF the Clarendon
Baptist Church. Hon. J. ". Hamel, OF
kershaw, and Charlton DuRant Esq,
made addresses. The address of Mr..
Blanchard is said to have been very
fine, it is highly commended even. b.
some who Do not agree with his conclo-
sions. They say his advocacy of prohl-
bition is very Strong and his oratory
captivating.
MIR. DuRant stressed, we understand,
the legal aspect of the proposition now
confronting the voters. He, we are
told, thinks the courts will confirm the
election, Notwithstanding the failure OF
the thirty days notice having been given
as required by the act Of the legisla-
ture, and he also is Of the opinion that
no man can legally vote who does not
exhibit to the managers OF election his
tax receipt for last year, and his regis
tration certificate. The managers, &C
cording to Mr.. DuRanJ's view will vlo-
late the law if they permit voter to cast
ballot without first exhibiting to them
the registration certificate and tax re-
ceipt.
The last speaker was Hon. J. W. Ham
el. The chairman in introducing Mr..
Eamel said: st gives me pleasure to
introduce the last speaker The speak
er lives in the town OF Kecshaw which
is now under prohibition, and he cited
the improved conditions in his town
since prohibition has been in vogue. :.
The prohibitionists have organized
thoroughly, while those who favor the
retention of the dispensary are relying
solely upon the legality of the notice
given by the CoGnty Supervisor. Should
it be decided the notice given IS lawful
then we presume Clarendon's dispen-
sary will be closed, because we are sat
isfed majority of the votes that will
be cast on the liquor question will be
against that institution, not because we
believe there is an actual sincere pro-
hibition sentiment, without which
prohibition law could not be enforced.
but there are other causes operating
against the continuance of the dlspen-
sary at Manning.
There are good macy men absolute
" sincere in wanting to drive out the
legal sale of liquor--they believe it will
decrease the consumption Of whlskey,
and they regard it a religious duty 20
have the legalized sale wiped out:
Then there are others who will vote
against the dispensary because they are
dissatisfied with the price and quality
of the liquor sold-these men drink,
and say the closing OF the dispensary
will not effect them as they can order
what liquor they want, get better
quality at cheaper price.
Another class will vote against the
dispensary because of the way the law
distributes the profits, they think the
fund should be divided between county
and schools equally, claiming the coun-
ty seat gets more than its just share
when it gets one-third.
There are still others who will vote
against the dispensary, believing the
law will be laXly enforced, and that 1t
will virtually amount to free license, as
is the case in some sections now.
Another element is actuated by the
belief if the .dispensary is taken out OF
Manning the trade drawn by 1t will
stay in the other towns OF the county.
There would be, so some think, no IN
ducement for trade passing through
other towns in the county to go to the
county seat where liquor is legally sold.
We might go on and cite some more
reasons that viii actuate men voting out
the dispensaiy but this is enough to show
that it is nct altogether sincere pro-
hibition sentiment moving the people.
In our opinion the vote cast will show a
large majority in favor of abolishing
the sale of LIQUOR, whether there will be
a majority Of the voters OF the county
that will vote remains to be seen, for
notwithstanding the activity of the
Prohibitionists there are many who will
not go to the polls, and if the managers
are going to comply strictly with the
law, this may have the effect OF cutting
the vote.