The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-08-19
Is the State Of South Carolina
Honest7
The Chester Lantern asks

AOAO0ut
The Chester Lantern asks:
"Will he (Blease) now tell the voters wheth.
er, IL erected governor. be will STICK 10 the
dispensary s~rsfters, II stick TO him."
Acknowledging our own ignorance we
would like to know who the Lantern refers
10 as "grafters," AS we understand, nobody,
except those who are now engaged by the
State, at big fees, have made anything out o.
the State. U p TO that time the money was
made out OF the people. The Lantern would
hardly designate an grafters those who have
received possibly $50. 900 from the State, they
being the only persons that have cost the
State anything.
We understand the situation to be like this:
The state OF South Carolina, through its
legally AUTHORIZED agents, bought large guam
titles OF liquor at prices far above the market
value. Other legally constituted agents OF
the State, after adding not only the excessive
price, but added the usual per cent. and then
sold from the different dispensaries the
LIQUOR to customers, not recouping Itself in
the high price. but actually making a profit
on the stuff.
This liquor 30 bought and sold has put into
the treasury Of the State some 100000 or
$500, 900.
The State now refuses 10 pay for the liquor
The State b as not lost u cent by the alleged
misdeeds Gifts agents. but has recovered the
excessive amounts paid. and upon which 1t
also made large profits.
The State now having cheated Its custom
ers at the dispensary. proposes to cheat Its
partners in the graft by refusing to pay for
the very liquor that put 80 much money in
It's hands. II the State Can sell at high prices
and refuse TO pay for the liquor, the State 10
q sure winner.
To defeat the claims Of Its creditors the
believe. aggregate SO. 700. to say nothing OF
other expense.
This Is our understanding Of the facts. The
State made more graft out OF the people, than
the alleged grafters made out OF the liquor
des lers. The State In no instance lost one
cent. 1t simply charged q higher price for
the liquor.
The State then, being not less censurable
than Its agents, and having lost nothing by
the rascality in buying its liquor, should pay
its debts. and not give people room to fear
thst real sure enough graft MAY result In the
effort TO defeat its creditors. Long ago. we
have heard that there was honor among
thieves. Let the. State be honest and, II 1t
must come into court. let 1t do so with clean
hands.
Let us tell you of q few reasons why the
State OF South Carolina should not be too
ready to charge others with dishonesty or
with graft.
J.. The State house in Columbia was built
before the war partly or wholly with money
raised by selling Estate house bonds" The
Democratic Legislature refused to pay those
bonds, requiring creditors to take new bonds
at so centa on the dollar. VIII any honest
man In South Carolina Say that the State
acted honestly in repudiating those bonds,
whereby impoverished men, poor widows or
needy orphans were robbed.
Q. The State OF South Carolina borrowed
$500, 900 from one Wesley In New York, with
which to compromise and 10 take up several
million dollars worth OF Blue Ridge bonds
which we're assured or guaran teed by the
State. Bonds taken up. State refused 10 re-
turn the money. A plain fraud.
3. The State Of South Carolina guaranteed
bonds OF the S%partanburg and Union Rail-
road. The Legislature issued "Bills Receiva.
BILE for Taxes for which the bonds OF the g..
d U. road we're exchanged. The Court de-
clded that the "Bills Receivable" we're un-
constitutional and worthless. The State has
not made good this fraudulent act.
4. In 1876 Judge Cook became bamboozled
and went back on the RAIDS" Democrats
made use OF him when they took charge OF
the Legislature; they refused to pay Judge
Cooks salary except at so cents on the
dollar, and left OF the Bench. ;ngratitude
and dishonesty.
5. The trustees OF Clemson College changed
the current OF . stream by building q dyke.
The waite. being thrown out OF It's course on
to the lands Of private citizens they sought
redress. The trustees being AFRAID 10 submit
their case to Q jury OF their countrymen
went into 'urt, claiming hat Clemson WINS
q State institution, and that the citizen had
no right TO sue the State. The court sus-
tanned their contention, although Clemson's
trustees rule and govern the institution.
Clemson has seven trustees In bis College
He gives the State the right 10 elect six trus.
tees and TO support the college by about q
quarter OF a million dollars annually. Glenn.
son contributes the interest on $4,000, or
$1,000 or s 1000 annually. 1t Is not for as 10
c~riticise the court for any such decision
which 10 no violative OF our own conception
OF the facts. Ersklne College would no doubt
be glad to let the State give a quarter OF a
million, and 10 elect q minority Of the trus-
tees, The A. R. p. Synod reserving absolute
control. The unwisdom OF the States contri-
buting 10 the private college whose trustees
cannot elect ADLER and more competent men
than those whs are now In charge OF that in.
stitution Is too apparent 10 need comment
from us.
8. The State bought great quantities Of
liquor at an exorhitant price. sold the same
at q still more exhorbitant price to Its people,
and la now turning States evidence against
Its little copartners In rascality, and is re.
fusIng to pay for the liquor which put the
money in the treasury.
Ifsny other corporation than the State. or
II any individual, should engage In 30 many
rascalIy schemes, or should after having got
ten the money in hand. refuse to pay or car
~ ont It's part OF the scheme would they or 1t
have the decent respect OF honest men:
hJ- Il A,.I u,. 81 a., u.II