The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-07-30

tigers are now local option PrOhlDl-
tionists?' Well, among other rea-
sons, because they are going to vote
for prohibition. Should they vote
against what they believe to be wrong
merely because other men Cf high
motives are voting for what they be-
lieve to be right?
4. "Do You think that your re-
peated assertion that the blind tigers
are Prohibitionists will discredit pro-
hibition and cause sensible men to sur
render their honest convictions We
do not know how what we have said
will influence the action Of sensible
men, in view Of the small impress
ion we seem to have made upon Dr..
Cromer; but, frankly speaking, we
have had some such thought in mind,
not that We would have any "sensi-
bic man to surrender his honest con-
vietions,'' not bit Of it; but because
we have hoped that 'sensible men,"
although 'local option Prohibition
istS,'' would be able to regard the
present situation from the blind tiger
point Of view and without any SUI
render Of their honest convictions
refuse to become the active if unwlll-
ing partners Of the most vicious an
tagonists of the prohibition cause in
this community.
). "Shall I vote against what I
believe to be right, merely because l
find that a man of low motives is
voting for the same thing?" That is
a matter for DR.. Cromer to settle for
himself, but We should think that
something would depend upon where
he is going and what he is really try
ing to do. For example, if it is his
purpose to promote the cause Of tenn
perance. and this can be done more
effectively by regulating and restrict
ing the traffic than by its nominal
prohibition, We should think that he
would be fully justified in the court
Of conscience in surrendering "hlS
honest convictions to actual condl-
tions, which no "sensible man" can
afford to discount. Several thousand
years ago practically the same ques-
ton was submitted to great teacher
by some querulous persons, who were
shocked by the behavior Of certain
men, who plucked ears Of corn on the
Sabbath Day to appease their hunger,
and we all know what the answer was.
There is also another very interesting
old story about two men who went up
into the temple to pray.
6. "But why quibble over a word
or phrase?" That is exactly what we
say. Why quibble about prohibition,
which will not prohibit instead OF
standing for a regulated traffic which
will to some extent at least restrict
the trade in Intoxicating drink?
7. "Was it not notorious a few
years ago that Charleston grand ju-
ries refused to find true bills against
blind tigers?" We believe that is
true, but if the evidence submitted to
the grand juries was not sufficient in
their opinion to warrant indictment,
does DR.. Cromer, who is fine lawyer,
think that the grand juries ought to
have found indictments against them
! Just the same? Would he have the
grand juries to indict persons for any
other offence alleged against them
upon what appeared to be insufficient
evidence? In our opinion, the grand
iuries in this county have in a num-
Der of cases failed to do their duty;
but is that any reason why the right
of trial by jury should be denied to
any person, even to the most hardened
Of all the criminals Of this county?
s. "Again, speaking Of facts is
it true that there are 80 blind tigers
in Charleston, and that they are fined
$50 quarterly, the fine being in the ma
ture of license "fee?" We do not
state it as fact, but We have heard
it stated as a fact, that there are now
seventy-seven blind tigers on the list
who are fined $50 at regular intervals,
the fines paid by them being turned
into the City Treasury. We have also
heard it stated as a fact that the fines
thus imposed are in effect. if not in
design, in the nature Of license fee.
We do not state it as fact, but we
have heard it stated as fact, that
year or so ago there we're 246 blind
tigers in this town, and "lf it IS
fact,n il would seem that some I'M