The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1908-11-11
A PERSONAL STATEMENT.

ports being circulated in this
county which I regard as a seri-
Gus reflection upon my honor as
{; man, and we're it not for the
fact that some heretofore staunch
friends have been misled, |
would treat these slanders with
the contempt they deserve:
I was opposed to prohibition,
my opposition was based upon
my reasoning faculties and con
science, I could not see how it
was possible to enforce a prohl-
bition law with an anti prohibl-
ton sentiment. I was sure there
was strong anti-dispensary SEN
timent. which was sufficient to
vote out the dispensary at Man
ming if ever put to vote, but do
not believe: nor do I believe now
that a sincere prohibition senti-
ment exists, my belief being bas.
ed upon personal expressions to
me from various sections. Having
such convictions, and being in a
position to give expression to my
views upon public questions |
would have been a vile hypocrite
cid l express myself in favor OF
prohibition; but because OF my
openly arguing against prohibit
ton under present conditions. 1t
has given some dastardly persons
an opportunity to tell people that
I am responsible for the confu-
sion with regard to the require
ments for voting at the recent
election, and that I tricked the
people to deprive them Of their
legal rights and other equally as
slanderous statements.
I have been connected with
public affairs many years, have
been honored by the people time
and again, possibly more than l
deserve, but in return for their
confidence in me I have endeay-
ored to make them an honorable
public servant, and when l am
charged with acts l regard dis
honorab ble am panied and morti-
fed, | therefore want it distinctly
understood that | had no connec-
ton whatever with the making
up Of the registration books, or
the issuing of certificates nor with
their distribution. The unusual
dema nd Of exhibiting to managers
certificates and tax receipts was
not Of my making. The first init
nation I had such a demand would
be made, came from a speech de-
livered in the court house in the
prob bition mass meeting held on
Sunday afternoon. The meeting
was not advertised as a religious
meeting, but a ''prohibition mass
meeting" at which a preacher, a
newspaper editor, and lawyer
made speeches, and addressed
the assemblage as "fellow citi-
zens" the same as is done at any
other political gathering not even
emitting the applause, then when
I saw it was determined by those
representing the Prohlbitionists
to require a strict compliance
with the law, I instructed the
managers who came for the boxes
that in order to prevent them
from becoming involved in any
Legal entanglements, and possio-
ly have 70 pay out lawyers fees.
they should follow the law to the
letter, so that in case Of a contest,
the fight would be among the
lawyers.
Uniformed each and every man
to whom I delivered boxes that |
was not connected with the e]ec-
ton in any way, but in the ab-
sence Of my son who is chairman
of the board of election commits
sioners, | was assisting as a mat
ter Of accommodation, in the de
livery of the boxes for the COM
missioners, two of whom were
present.
twill thus be seen my connec-
ton with this election has been
very slight but I regret now,
since I am being misrepresented
and maligned that I even had that
slight connection with it. nor
would I have had any, but for the
fact, the commissioners were in
experienced and really needed an
experienced man to prevent mis-
takes.
So far as the result of the cleo
ton is concerned, it is matter
of Indifference to me except SO
faras increased taxes are concern.
ed. I am not interested IN the
sale Of liquor, and am an ex-
ceedingly temperate drinker,
but I am a taxpayer and am
seriously concerned for the vel
fare of the county. I do not
believe the drinking will be less
ened. If I am to be misrepresent-
ed, maligned, slandered and abus
ed because I had convictions not
fixed with a view to popularity,
and future votes. and because [
had the manliness to frankly ex-
press those convictions, in the
face Of overwhelming odds, then
let the sacrifice he made | prefer
to sacrifice my political ambitions
than my conscientious convictions
self>respect, and manhood.
The dispensary by large ma