The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1911-07-27
ORDERS RAIDS AND ARRESTS.
Governor Blease Writes Union Sher.
iff on Near-Beer Situation.

Columbia, July 19.-On seeing a
newspaper statement that Union had
nine near-beer saloons in operation
under licenses issued by Mayor 7. G..
Duncan, Gov. Blease wrote to-day
letter to J. G. Long, sheriff of Union
county, directing him to raid at once
every establishment claiming to do
business under such a license.
The governors letter was as fol-
lows:
Mr.. J. C. Long, sheriff, Union coun-
ty, Union, S. C.-Dear Sir: Any near
beer license appearing in any place
in your city or county is prima facle
evidence that the party is selling
near-beer, in violation of the law.
Raid every such place you have such
information about Immediately; ar
rest the parties; bind them over to
court for trial, and press this matter.
Hold up on no one. We play no ia
vors, ''equal rights to all and special
privileges to none" Very respect
fully, COLE L. BLEASE,
Columbia, July 10. Governor
The article which caused the gov
ernor to write as above to Sherln
Long was published Tuesday in Prog
ress, a semi-weekly newspaper, OF
Union. It bore the two column-head:
"Near-beer licenses issued on
mayors orders-such is the informa-
ton secured from the office OF the
city clerk by Progress representa-
tive. Nine near-beer saloons now
doing business in this city by virtue
of authority granted by the mayor.
Fees are SIS for three months; $50
until next May-one man pays $15
to do business one month"
The article reads as follows:
Union has nine officially licensed
near-beer establishments.
"The licenses for the places were
issued on order from Mayor T. c..
Duncan by the city clerk.
"The license fee is fifteen dollars
for three months or less and fifty
dollars for one year. Of the nine
licenses, the licenses of eight expire
on August 1, and were issued respec-
lively on May 20, 25, 26; 20, June
20, 21, 20, July 1, which shows that
there evidently is good profit in the
business as the last referred to party
paid SIS for one months privilege.
ION July 8 one party took out a
license to May 1, 1912, paying for
this the sum of $50. These figures
are authentic, having been furnished
from the records in the city clerks
Office.
''It is understood that the mayor
issued the orders for these licenses
under section 10 of the special license
ordinance for the fiscal year begin
ming May /, 1911, which reads:
"'Section 10. For each and every
business not specified above, license
fee shall be charged in the discretion
of the mayor not to exceed two hun
dred (s200.) That all license fees
herein mentioned are due on May l.,
1911, and the said licenses are sub
ject to inspection by mayor or police
men at any time
Several efforts were made yester-
day by press representative to see
Mayor Duncan and ascertain how
such licenses can be granted by this
municipality when it is prohibition
territory and Gov. Blease having or
dered State constables to raid all
places handling near-beer, not to say
anything of what. they sell on the
side, but the effort was unavailing,
as he was out of his Office.
''The conditions above noted are
especially interesting as in a dispatch
sent out from Columbia on Saturday
Gov. Blease is quoted as saying:
'Near-beer saloons have been in
troduced in the State and they are as
bad as fake social clubs. Conditions
at Union and Darlington appear to
be particularly bad. I am doing all
I can to uphold the law, but cannot
do it all.'''
Father and Daughter Buried.