The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-12-26
FOR STATEWIDE PROHIBITION.



F. or Daily Item:
The question Of Statewide prohibi-
ton Ia certainly dominant In the minds
OF the people at this time. No sensi-
Die man Is taking any stock in the
Vaporings OF some that a test was
made last summer In the election of
governor. The prohibition question
was not the question In last summers
campaign. This goes without saying
and u the vote for Mr.. Chas. A. Smith
showed the sentiment for prohibition
In this State, Il also showed very
weak sentiment for the referendum
plan. 1t Is just as we'll that we under
stand the situation and make up our
minds to meet the inevitable: pro-
hibition Is coming to South Carolina.
and that very soon.
II this ONCE has not been misin.
formed. q majority Of men In both the
house and senate stand for two very
important measures touching this
matter. The first Is a bill which will
destroy the blind tiger situation and
make the Webb law effective. The
plan OF the anti-saloon league Is to
fight for this measure before anything
else is done. We do not believe 1t
wise TO introduce q Statewide pro-
hioition bill until provision has been
made Tor It's enforcement; but We do
believe that when this provision is
made that the way will be opened for
statewide prohibition by legislative
enactment.
There are MANY reasons why the
Anu-saloon League Is not advocating
the referendum plan ut this time. In
the first place. We do not see the ne
cessity for u. Thirty counties In the
State are dry AMI will remain dry
because under the present code Of laws
no dry county can hold an election le-
gally. While attempts have been
made In q number Of dry counties to
order elections during the past IS
months. twelve Of that number failed
because the number Of signatures re-
quired by law could not be secured
Other dry counties elected to remain
dry when the matter was tested at
the polls.
The lacis OF law enforcement I'm the
past four years has brought about a
feeling Of disgust and the people are
ready and willing that something be
done and that speedily. The Anti -Sa-
lono Leagues does not believe refer
cndum necessary. and after thorough
ly studying the situation throughout
the State we wish just here to point
out what we regard as dangers.
IL. as many suppose. this question
could be submitted to the white,
qualified. Democratic voters of South
Carolina. we would have nothing
whatever to fear: but unfortunately
this Ia not the case. Under our con-
stitution. every man OF every color.
who pays taxes on $500 worth Of prop
erty or who can read and write the
constitution can register Hundreds of
them cannot vote I'm our Democratic
primary. but they can vote on the Ii
auor question or In a general election.
The prohibitionists who are urging a
referendum ought to study the expe-
ricnce of Florida and Texas as an Oh
ject lesson. IL Is not only possib,e. but
probable that the LIQUOR trust will es-
tabiish agencies In South Carolina.
just as they have done in other States
sr,s ,,.th their Thousand NJ dollars
thew wo,,s ses IN n that neeroes and
others are registered nm! ready 10
vote when the election 10 hold
II In claimed that there ore $50 600