The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1913-12-24
U6LiShED EVERY WEDNESDAY
) A FUTILE UNDERTAKING.

A FUTILE UNDERTAKING.
We note the statement attrib.
uted to Hon. A. w. Todd recent
" elected a member Of the
House from Charleston, that he
win propose an amendment to
the constitution, which, in effect
means the restoration Of bar
rooms. There is strong SEN
timent favorable to such an
amendment, whether that senti-
ment is in the legislature we do
not know, but we are inclined to
think it is not. And to under
take to amend the constitution
at this time for such a purpose is,
in our opinion, mistake. There
is no doubt Charleston is a great
sufferer by the present condi-
tons; it is impossible to, better
the conditions as long as the
laws regulating the sale OF liquor
remain as they are, but while we
believe this to be true, We do not
think it advisable to give to the
general assembly the power to
grant general retail liquor licen'
ses, but it can be arranged to
grant this license, under present
dispensary restrictions, to the
larger cities or to empower the
larger cities that have ample
police protection to regulate this
matter for themselves, possibly
then it would be in the interest
of laE and decency.
We appreciate the position Mr..
Todd is in. He is representing
a city and county opposed to the
present liquor regulation system,
this opposition cannot be psci-
fed, hence, the law cannot be
enforced; it has brought on a
condition, that even those who
opposed the dispensary or pro-
hibition laws regard deplorable,
and tear the consequences; relief
ofsome kind is wanted in order to
secure respect for law, these
people teel they must ac-
quiese in the violation of the
present law, though they are not
violators themselves, and they
are earnestly pleading for relief,
realizing their only hope is with
the legislature to submit an
amendment. to the constitution
granting such powers as will!
permit the enactment Of laws
that be respected, and en-
forced by a people who sincerely
desire to abide by all of the laws.
Il is our Judgment Mr.. Todd's
efforts will be useless with the
present legislature. The oppo.
: sition will take the position the
question is of Statewide inpor-
tanee, and should be discussed
on the hustings to give the vot-
ers an opportunity to endorse Or
rejectit by .electing representa-
tiyes to speak for them; those
who sympathize with the license
sentiment will take the view that
to force the question without
giving the masses an opportunity
to. voice their sentiments will be
resented, and add strength
to those who are want to
amend the constitution to
make the laws more drastic on
this subject-a prohibition clause
IN the constitution.
1t was to be hoped neither side,
the prohibitionists or the license
people, would undertake to have
any liquor legislation atthis ses
sion, it will amount to a hot
fight with no chance of accom-
plishing anything more than to
waste time and create feeling.
If the people must have this Ii
quor agitation again, then we
submit, it would be far better to
wait until next summer, make a
clear cut issue and let the voters
decide once and for all time, but
keep it out of the legislature at
this time, ,and until the question
can be considered without heat,
and solely without any factionsl
political significance. There are
other matters needing attention
taxation for instance; the
masses are groaning because Of
the tax burden. We have enough