The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-09-17
Mayor Jennings Favors Strict Enforce
ment of the Law and Real Prohibi-
tion---Calls on ProhibitioniSts and all
Good Citizens to Assist Authorities
in Making Law Effective.

euii'y vi HllSuefncanOr, ana upon
conviction thereof before a magistrate
shall he fined in the sum of not less
than thirty dollars, nor more than
nifty dollars, or imprisoned in the
county Jail, not exceeding thirty days,
for each and every offence.
In constructing these sections, the
Supreme Court Of this State, held i'm
the case of Lyon VS.. City Club, SO S.
Co. I'll, upon proceeding brought
to enjoin "a club from violating these
sections:
THE Circuit Court also held that
unless the public, or considerable
portion Of it, is admitted and enticed
to these resorts to drink, the places
would hardly be deemed nuisances;'
and the third exception alleges error.
This exception is we'll taken To con-
stitute a nuisance under the statute,
1t is not essential that the public, or
even a considerable portion of it, be
admitted or enticed there to drink in
toxicants. 1t is sufficient if some per-
sons are permitted to resort there
Tor such purpose, and it appears that
quite number of persons did resort
thither to drink intoxicants.
The above shows there is no lack
of law to stop clubs from ordering IL
quor and selling it to it's members eth
cr with or without profit, whether by
the ticket method or otherwise, but,
on the other hand, the law is ample
to prohibit the club members from
having individual lockers, and allow
ing others to resort there and drink
with them. The law being ample,
aad the remedy plain, all that rs lack
ing is sufficient evidence to put the
machinery of the law in motion. We
ought not to simply have prohibition
in name, but in fact, and if the pro-
above stated, will determine to stamp
liquor out in clubs, both in the city
and county, then it seems to me it can
be done. But it cannot be done if the
large majority Of the people are in ia
Vor of this method Of handling and
using whiskey, but it can be done if
the large majority are not in favor
of this, but wish liquor stamped out
l was in favor of rc-esta blishing the
dispensary, because / was thoroughly
convinced that liquor was being handl-
ed unlawful!y not only by individual
blind tigers, but by the clubs, and
that prohibition had not to any extent
decreased drinking.
If the Supreme Court sustains the
State Board of Canvassers, then we
shall have the prohibition law in
Sumter county for at least another
year. and maybe longer. l was an
advocate Of tho dispensary, but not
of blind tigers, clubs, and unlawful
whiskey. 1, as mayor, now call on
every prOhibitiOnist in the City of
Sumter, and every law-abiding citizen
to back me up and if they will do so,
we can stamp out most of the blind
tigers, and certainly all and any clubs
that handle whiskey unlawfully and
IN violation OF the terms of the stat
utes above quoted, or any others
which are applicable to such matters
am a member of only one club,
and that is the club in the skyscraper,
referred to some days ago from one
of the pulpits, Whether the members
have liquor in their lockers or not,
do not know, as l haze only been
there twice, once before it opened
and about five minutes since. But as
member, | have the right to know,
and | shall certainly find out, and if
whiskey is being handled in violation
of the law, l will take the same steps
officially to stop thi, as would
against any other club.
Not only does the law allow you
to enjoin those running the club, but
also the landlords renting the build
ing or buildings to such clubs. II
any of the clubs are violating the law,
we certainly should take steps not
only to enioin the members of the
club, but also the landlords who rent
the buildings.
took the oath as mayor to enforce
the laws; the whiskcy law is hardest
of all To enforce, but it can he en-
forced with assistance. | am ready
To do anything as mayor or as Il pri. /
vatc citizen To help stamp out all il |
legal clubs and all illegal sale of
whiskey aud liquors.
Who wilt join in helping?
l.. II. JENNINGS,
Mayor |