Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-12-17

Jail Sentence Without Alternative OF
Fine For Violation Of Law.

Jail Sentence Without Alternative Of
Fine For Violation Of Law.
II the juries Of this state convict
violators Of the prohibition law who
are tried before them after the first
of January says an Orangeburg dis
patch Of Tuesday, a bill which is to
be introduced at the coming session Of
the general assembly by Hon. ]. I.
Lilies of Orangeburg, If passed, will
do more towards bringing about alb
solute observance Of the law, than any
other factor. This new bill does away
with the alternative Of a fine where
trials result in convictions, and forces
the presiding Judge to impose a sem
tence Of not less than three months
service on the public works upon the
convicted violator. The law, If passed,
places the responsibility directly up TO
the juries. II they reach verdicts of
guilty, the offender has term on the
chaingang staring him in the face, and
with a. three months stay on the gang
penalty for violating the law, there
will be very few who will have the
courage to violate it. Mr.. Lilies has
drafted the law, and will place it be-
fore the general assembly in January.
1t remains to be seen If the lawmakers
of the state will have the backbone to
stand by the vote Of the people and do
their part to bring about the enforce
ment Of the law, which the voters
have decided upon.
Mr.. Lilies was one Of the most en-
thusiastic advocates Of prohibition IN
the campaign this summer preceding
the referendum vote on September
IA. Since that time he has been
working on the problem Of the en-
forcement Of the law, and he believes
that his bill will bring about that end.
In drafting and backing such meas
ure, he realizes the position in which
he places himself. He knows well
that the combined strength Of the
liquor forces will be hurled against
him; but he also realizes that only
through a measure of this kind, can
it be hoped to bring about the en-
forcement of the law, and he is will
ling to do his share in the enforce
ment Of the law.
Mr.. Lilies, in discussing his bill, said:
II hope and believe / shall be sue
cessful in securing the passage of this
| bill and it's enforcement as law, in
my opinion practically rids South
Carolina Of the evils OF liquor traffic.
The failure Of the prohibition law of
| this and other states has been due
largely to the fact that the penalties
| imposed did not sufficiently punish.
| This will not be the case under this
| bill. So far as the criminally in
clined are concerned, fear Of punish
| ment is the greatest incentive to re-
spect and regard for law. And If
convictions of selling alcoholic liquors
means as this measure provides, a
changang sentence without the op-
| ton Of fine, all Of which the circuit
| judges cannot under any circum-
stances suspend, blind tigers will soon
| become conspicuous for their absence.
1T is my judgment that the great
majority Of the thinking people OF
South Carolina are ready and anxious
for real prohibition and I shall be
glad indeed If l am instrumental in
advancing the cause. 1t will be glory
enough for me if I can contribute to
| the elimination from my state Of the
evils Of the legal or illegal liquors,
the curse that has impended the prog
| ress of our state, that has wrecked
homes debauched man and woman
hood and produced ignorance, poverty
| and crime.
"Of course l understand that the
| introduction Of this measure will re-
| suit in bringing upon me the criti-
| cism, sneers and the antagonism OF
| the liquorites and l am not so unso-
| phistocated as not to realize that from
a political standpoint this will not be
without effect, but for the time being,
| at any rate, l have no hesistancy in
| saying, Lay on. McDuff, and damned
be he who first cries Hold, enough"
The bill which has been drafted by
| Mr. Lilies and will be introduced by
| him. is as follows:
| A Bill
| To amend section S11, volume ii
criminal code, 1912, in reference to
| Intoxicating liquors.
| Be it enacted by the general assem-
bly, Of the state Of South Carolina:
Section l. That section 81, volume
! II, criminal code, 1912, be and the