The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-05-08
BlEASE OPPOSES THE RULING.
WON'T STAND FOR FEDERAL OF
FICERS SELLING LIQUOR
In Letter TO Shcriffs of the State
Governor Blease Commands Seiz-
urc of Liquors Sold at Auction
by Federal Officers Won't Have
State Laws Violated. He SAYS
Judge III. \. vi. Smiths Recent De.
ciSiOn in L. :. Court.

Columbia. May 4.-Gov. Blease.
in letter addressed to every sher-
iif in South Carolina, calls on ther,
to seize all contraband liquor which is
sold by United States officers. as con-
traband. as soon as it is in the haros
of the purchaser This action o: the
Governor is taken following the decis-
ior of Federal Judge 'th that Un;-
tee States revenue 9 nave a right
TO sell liquor sei7' 8 them il this
State at public sS>n, as was done
ny Deputy q at Walhalla re-
Gently. Tr <>.r Of the Governor
follows: <
IF -, me an agent or officer
'of til y ID States Government ad-
yer lat he is going to have a
sa whiskey at any point within
your county, you are hereby directed
and commanded to be personally
present at the place Of the sai6 sale
and when the same takes place, and
the contraband whiskey, which is sold
as such by the United States Govern
ment, is delivered to the purchaser.
you seize Immediately the said whis-
key, beer, wine or other alcoholic
liquors, under and in accordance with
the provisions Of the laws of the
State Of South Carolina. 1t may be
lawful for an officer Of the United
States Government to sell whiskey
within the State of South Carolina
otherwise than is provided 10y our
state laws (but 1 for one do not be-
lieNe IT'D however, We will bow to
the decision of the Court until rcyers-
ed. but when the United States Gov
ernment sells this whiskey, ETC., he
who purchases it, becomes the owner
of and in possession Of contraband
liquors, which is prohibited by oar
statute laws. because if it were not
contraband the United States Govern
they seize it as such. Therefore un-
der the law of our State, when the
whiskey, or other intoxicating liquors
is delivered to the purchased he then
becomes the owner and is in posses
sion Of the contra band, in direct y,o-
lation of our statute laws There
fore. when the United States Govern
ment officers make their sale. as soon
as the stuff is put into the hands of
the purchaser, You are herby direct
ed and commanded, to Immediately
seize it as contraband and if any action
Is brought against you, either civil or
criminal, you will Immediately COM
municate with this office and | will
take proper steps to have your inter-
ests protected.
DO not fail in this matter. 1 de.
sire no conflict between the State and
the United States Government, but
do not propose to allow the food
ing Of this State with whiskey under
a pretence Of law; when these Gov
ernment seizures are sold. the goods
will be purchased and resold by
blind tigers throughout the State,
which / know is prohibited by our
statute laws. and the United States
government should not lend its assist
ance. through its officers. TO any such
illegal or illicit traffic and I do not
propose to stand for il so far as I am
concerned
wherefore. when the sale is made
and the stuff is deliverd into the
hands of the purchaser. seize your
prisoner for having in his possession
contrahand whiskey. and also seize
the goods as contranband. and hold
both until they he released by due
process of law.
Failure on your part to carry out
those instruction Will Re dealt with
i'm no uncertain way.
I'VE desire no conflict. but the dig.
nifty Of the law IF this state must be
preserved and viii he"