The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1913-04-24
Dispensary Petitions.
Editor County Record

day that a petition is being circulat-
ed in this section to get signatures
asking that an election be held IN
Williamsburg county on the dlspen-
sary question again. Several OF my
informants said they signed the Pc
tition somewhat carelessly and some
what under wrong impression. In
two or three instances theysunder-
stood from the presenter Of the pc
tition that the election would be held
whether or not they signed. Many
of my informants say they are unal-
terably opposed to dispenSaries be-
inc placed in our county and that
they are opposed to an election be-
ing held.
Now, Mr. Editor, | do not accuse
any one of wrongdoing. but wish
to call the attention of our people to
the situation and ask them to con-
slider we'll before signing such peti-
tions. would not, for a moment,
be so presumptuous as to attempt to
dictate to any one; but let US con-
slider fact or two.
In the first place, we now have no
dispensaries in Williamsburg county
and unless we have an election and
vote it in, we will not have any un-
der our present law.
Secondly, those of US who are OPP
posed to re-opening of disDensaries
in our county should not sign any
petition for an election. If we do
not want iispensaries why should we
want an election? Again, suppose
the majority of our voters are now
opposed; who knows but that, if an
election is held, the agitation conse-
quent may turn many to become in
favor of dispensaries.
Many people seem to think that
because some will drink intoXicants
and therefore their money goes to
other counties or to other States,
that it would be better to have the
dispensary, so that our county would
get whatever profits there may be
in the sale.
Now, friends, bend to my knees
and ask you to pardon a personal
experience. Twenty years ago your
humble writer was agent and opera
tor in one of the towns of the State.
| was glad that | could keep my Bi-
BILE on my desk where were kept the
other books connected with my work.
The Bible taught me how to keep
the books and how to keep myself
straight. | soon became persuaded
that should not work for railroad
company any quicker than to work
on farm on the Sabbath day. | re-
signed my position. Many told me
then. and have said since, that some
one will keep that office and that |
might as we'll have kept it. That it
is not wrong to work on the Sabbath
for the reason that others will do the
same work on the Sabbath. But |
say because others steal or lie or
cheat, is no reason why | should do
these things. Because others drink
intoxicants is no reason l should
drink, or help to cause it to be sold
for others to drink. If | help to try
to keep it as far away and as un-
handy as possible, then feel that |
am individually free from its evil
consequences.
So let US not say that we may as
we'll or better have intoxicants sold
in our county, because others will
buy it elsewhere. Let US keep our
skirts clear, for God holds us respon-
sible. But, however we may sign
or vote, let US do so with the full
understanding of what effect the re-
suit will be.
Before / close, let me say | am
not posing as any paragon of per-