The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-10-22
CHARLESTON AND THE STATE

The Sumter Item urges upon it's
readers and the people of South Caro-
lima the raising OF "a State-w wide
fund for the use OF the Law and Or
der League OF Charleston so that they
may make good fight. drive out
crime and punish the criminals who
disgrace the city and the State by
their nagrant disregard OF law and
morals" In doing 80 IL undoubtedly
means well for Charleston. 1t voices
publicly feeling which has already
found private expression I'm other
quarters. IL recognizes that when
lawlessness is allowed to go uncheck-
ed I'm Charleston, the harmful effects
are not confined 10 the territory lying
between Ashley Junction and the
Battery. but the evil influences spread
to all parts OF the State"
However. a little reflection would
suffice to convince the Item of the
futility of such a plan as that which
IL suggests. The people of South
Carolina outside Of Charleston cannot
help with contributions Of money to
better conditions in this community,
and we have no idea that any organic
ed attempt OF that sort would even be
seriously considered, for 1t must bc
evident to any one who stops to think
for moment that 1t would inevi-
tably do more harm than good. Were
fnancial support the only thing which
stood In the way of a successful cam
paign for the enforcement Of law I'm
Charleston q changed state Of affairs
would long ago have been brought
about.
The Item. nevertheless. has laid
hold on two fundamental truths which
10 Is important that the people OF
south Carolina generally should rec
ognize. IL sees clearly that the rest
"a the State cannot afford to ignore
conditions in Charleston and 1t ap-
prehends further that Charleston can
NV hfPt " tstapC IfOHu pIcStHt
predicsynent until the rest Of the
state comes TO her assistance. 1t Is
true. as the Item declares, that when
things go wrong i'm Charleston "the
evil Influences spread 10 all PARTS OF
the State" and II Is true further that
the people OF the State at large can
be OF very material aid In Fastening
the time when conditions which have
now earned for this city notoriety
which II cannot relish will be re-
moved.
The fact Ia that full measure of
relief for Charleston cannot be OBJ
tained until the State at large is will
upon our statute books OF laws to
which public sentiment has never
been attuned and which. therefore.
are almost incapable of consistent en-
forcemcnt that is responsible in the
last analysis for the situation
viewed by the Item with just
distress. Wise legislation must
precede any lasting reform OF
conditions I'm Charleston and
wise legislation rests not wsth the peo-
pie ot Charleston alone but with the
people OF tho whole state.
The disregard OF law which has
been manifested in this community
cannot be justified but the explanation
for II Is easy 10 understand. II is the
Outgrowth OF mistaken efforts TO
regulate the habits and alter the Gus
toms OF an entire community regard
less OF the wishes and over the pro-
tests OF Its citizens. No such under
taking has ever succeeded or can
succeed. The Item Ia in error as 10
the means II proposes for bringing
about change but il is right when II
urges that Charleston stands i'm real
need OF the sympathetic cooperation
of its friends throughout Sosth Caro-
lima. II is right when il says that the
rest OF the state cannot afford To T,
main Indifferent to the conditions
here.---Ncws and Courier
The Law and order League ot
Charleston. having issued an appca
for money to carry on the ngh'
against lawlessness and vice I'm that
city. the logical conclusion was thai
unless funds were Forthcoming from
sornc s,urcn tho Gght woulu loDcuisI