The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-09-07

urday should set at rest any fears
the local optionists may have that
Mr.. Feathestone, II elected Cover
nor. will pursue a radical policy and
attempt to force a Statewide law
through a local option legislature.
The writer of the letter, Mr.. w. w.
Ball. is a close personal friend Of
Mr.. Featherstone, but not a prohi-
zionist, and we take and accept his
word for 1t that Mr.. Featherstone
Will be reasonable and not ire
trievably radical.
"A Word as to FeatherstOne.
Editor Evening Post. Sir:-There
could be no more mistaken idea in
any Charleston mans mind Uf any
such idea exists.) than that c. C.
Featherstone Is unfriendly to Char
lesion. Exactly opposite is the case
He believes in prohibition and he be-
lieves In the enforcement of the
law. 1 speak from a close friendship
with him of more than twenty years
duration when / say that he is not
a lunatic. but a man of vigorous,
clear-cut views. He has abundant
common sense; he knows human ma
ture and he is widely experienced in
business affairs
Leaving the liquor question aside.
l believe that the people Of Char
lesion would have in the Governors
office in Mr.. Featherstone's person a
friend not only with the will but with
the capacity to help them in the COM
mercial aspirations of their COM
munity and i know that the Mayor
or the Chamber of Commerce of
Charleston would find him always
eager to help in promoting the pros
perity of the States metropolis and
principal port. Throughout South
Carolina Charleston has always had
friends and Mr.. Featherstone has al
ways been one Of them.
/ do not attempt to reconcile Mr..
prohibition views with
those Of the people of Charleston-or
with my own, for that matter-but
there is not going to be any change
in the existing whiskey laws-at least
none in the direction of prohibition.
The Legislature is in favor Of local
option between county dispensaries
and prohibition, which Is the law
now. In the enforcement of the law
In Charleston. Mr.. Featherstone would
be firm but considerate and open tu
consultation with the people of Char
lesion.
Those citizens Of Charleston who
believe that the law should be observ-
ed would find him not only approach
able but glad to advise with them
and there would be no conflict be-
tween any citizen Of Charleston and
the Governor so long as there existed
the common ground Of a sincere mo-
tive to work out a delicate and COM
pick problem to the best advantage
- N'N~ wy ohN tiio Notdtc, anu 50 lOnS
as no compromise with the Governors
oath Of Office was involved.
The Statewide prohibition ques-
ton Is for at least two years dead.
II the people Of Charleston want a
Governor who has a strong mind.
who is not less we'll disposed towards
Charleston than he Is towards any
other South Carolina city; who fully
understands the importance Of Char
lesion and how Its prosperity Is in
terwoven with the prosperity Of the
who Is a frank,
square dealing. honest man Of up
right and pure life and who has un-
usual ability. they can get him in
Featherstone. Anyway. that Is what
| believe and I speak from intimate
relations with him extending over
long period, relations Of a personal
business and political nature.
w. w. BALL.
Columbia, Sept. 2.