The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-06-25

far more dangerous system than the
State dispensary. l have declared in
every public and printed utterance
that l have made that when the time
was ripe and sentiment was sufficient
ly strong to enforce prohibition, that
l would vote to overthrow the State
dispensary and declare for State
wide prohibition. l have kept that
promise and wish the overthrow of
the State dispensary. I have worked
and voted for prohibition both in the
Legislature and in my private ca
pacity since. | have been unanimously
elected by the prohibitionists of the
Legislature at the past three sessions
to lead the fight for them, and did
so with all the ability and earnest
ness at my command 1 was one Of
the joint authors Of the Statewide
law at the sessions of 1909 and 1910.
and we succeeded in passing the bill
through the House, but the Senate
Killed 1t and gave us a compromise
bill with reversed local option and
is responsible for the conditions ex-
listing in this State today. Six coun-
ties are selling liquor under that law.
and are multiplying the will Of the great
majority who have declared against
the sale. This is undemocratic and
Is wrong. These six counties are SELL
ING tho 70
OF liquors a year while tn, twenty
odd counties only sold $4,000. 900
worth last year. Good democracy is
majority rule. An overwhelming ma
Jority Of our people have declared
against the sale Of liquor. They have
declared that it is inimical to the
cause of Righteousness to- engage in
the sale of liquor. If it is wrong to
sell liquor in Spartanburg and Union
1t Is wrong to sell liquor in George
| town and Beaufort. If prohibition is
for the best interests of the people of
Cherokee and York, it is for the best
interests of the citizens of Charleston
| and Richland. A majority of the peo-
pie Of South Carolina are in favor
| OF Statewide law, so we should
| nave 1T. Let us give prohibition a
fair trial, and l venture the assertion
that our people will never return to
the sale Of liquor in any manner,
| shape or form.
| Fellow citizens: The whiskey issue
| is clear cut and unmistakable. Local
option as between county dispensaries
and prohibition or prohibition for
our entire State.
Whlle am uncompromising
in my advocacy Of prohibi-
tion for South Carolina, if elected
| Governor I will not veto a local op-
tion bill should the Legislature pass
1T. 1 think it proper for me to take
the position, for this question is an
issue before our people, and their
voice should be supreme. I believe
In the rule Of the people, and when
they have spoken upon a given quest
ion it is treachery upon the part of
their representatives not to heed their
Will as expressed at the ballot box.
But 1 wish to reiterate that 1 think
the next Legislature should pass a
Statewide prohibition bill, and
promise If I am your Governor that
L Will sign the bill, and enforce the
law with firmness and to the best
Of my ability.
:. ~, ts5t&Ys
Education. -."'
The education Of the boys and girls
OF South Carolina, and the driving
out Of the illiteracy among our peo-
pie Is one Of the most important
questions with which We have to
deal. My record upon this question
is an open book before you. have
| always stood, and stand TODAY. for
the fullest and freest DEVELOPMENT of
| all our educational interests. adj
Vocate equitable and all necessary
| support for our higher educational
| institutions. Our colleges are not
only giving the literary and indus
trial training necessary for a we'll
rounded life, but they are training
the teachers for our public schools