The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1910-06-15
BE OPEN AND CLEAR.

tie discussion il the coming pri.
mary. but we notice that those
trying to 60 this, are the very
ones who have made the question
foremost in bringing them into
prominence. We heartily agree
that it would be far better could
those seeking political referment,
go before the people with issnes
that are instructive as we'll as en-
tertaining, but when We have an
unsettled problem on our hands,
and, we are all agreed upon near.
" everything else, the liquor
question is the most natural one
to fall back upon. The matter Of
public schools, good roads, an
equitable assessment Of property
values, the lowering Of taxes con-
sistens with the demands of the
people, ali of these things are
conceded, then in that case, with
the differences existing on the llq.
uor problem it does strike Us that
I it will not down. In the guber-
natorial contest. the issue is clear
Fcut between Prohibition and Lo-
| cal Option. Mess=s. Featherstone
and Richards according to their
announced platforms are repre-
senting the Prohibition sentl-
mene, and Messrs. Mcleod and
Blease. the Local Option sentl-
ment, these gentlemen are pretty
we'll agreed on everything but
the best way of handling liquor.
and there is absolutely no differ.
ence between them on anything
else so tar as We can see, there
fore we cannot see how the dis
cuss on of this question can be
avoided.
Cur observation is that there is
a class OF politicians, who started
out on the prohibition platform
because they thought it was the
popular thing to do, but when
they got out among the masses
they discovered a considerable
waning of that sentiment, and
they are now trying to hedge
They would have the insistent
prohibitioniSts TO regard them
| with favor, and as exponents of
their views, at the same time,
they are endeavoring to quiet the
Local Optionists with Q soothing
syrup labeled. THE liquor eues.
ton is not an issue" AS We look
at it, this question is about the
only issue before the voters, and
when We hear Of politicians OF
prohibition tendencies working
1.-The liquor question is settled
racket, we should ike for those
they are dealing out this stuff to,
to ask them if they will pledge
| themselves to let the liquor qaes-
ltion alone, should they be elect,
ed. Regardless Of what they pro-
fess, we say that if Prohibition
lists are elected to the general as.
SEM bly, they will vote for state,
wide prohibition measure, and
thus deprive the people Of the
right of local self government as
they. under the law have it now,
and if q Local Optionist is elect.
ed, he will vote to leave the pres.
ent law undisturbed, so that after
the prohibition experiment has
been tried for four years, the
right is left to the people to take
such steps as the majority may
deem best. Do not be soft-scapec
by any candidate who is afraid tc
take positive position on any
ioueSticn. II be is q Prohibition
iSt, be should not be afraid TO lie,
his views be known, and he
should have the candor to stand
oy his convictions. and not try &c
hedge in order 70 catch the un'
wary vote. The same applies tc
the Local Optionist BE should
!, not try TO mislead by Soft-soap
ling the ProhibitionistS.