The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1916-06-09
WHAT MANNING HAS DONE
FOR CITY OF CHARLESTON
The Change for the Better in That
City is Apparent to All-This
Achievement Has Been With
out Boosting and in the
kindest Way.

nection with Governor Manning's an
nouncement that in future he expects
to leave to the city authorities the en-
forcement of the liquor laws within
the city limits of Charleston, the
state of affairs which existed when the
governor first sent State constables
here, a little over year ago, as
contrasted with the state of affairs
which exists today.
Although the governor is now put
ting his armor off, so far as Charles
ton is convened, it is characteristic of
him that he should indulge in no
boasting as to what he has been able
to accomplish for Charleston and for
South Carolina in smashing the bust
ness and the power and the prestige
of the blind tigers which for years
had overrun this city. But the facts
speak for themselves. When Governor
Manning began his work the illicit
liquor dealers were a dominant force,
rich and bold and clothed as it were
with kind of pseudo-reSpe
How different the conditions which
now obtains! If it has not been pos
sible absolutely to suppress the un-
lawful traffic in liquor, at least that
traffic has been put where it belongs,
on the run, and it is certain that under
Mayor Hyde it will be kept there. The
open barroom no longer faunts itself
before the community. The change
which has been brought to pass is
one which is apparent to all. 1t re-
Quires no comment.
1t is worth remembering now how
incredulous most people were two
years ago that such results could be
accomplished or would be accom-
plished. The best of the achievement,
about without any blowing of trum-
pets or beating of drums or prejudicial
outbursts of any kind or character
against Charleston and the people of
Charleston. At the very first Gov
ernor Manning made it plain that he
had not the least desire or intention
to make war upon this city; that he
had only the warmeSt friendship for
Charleston; that his case was not
against the city. But he made it plain
also that he took very seriously the
solemn pledges he had given the peo-
pie of South Carolina to use all the
power of his office to suppress the
violation of the liquor laws in Charles
ton-a violation participated in by
group which was small as compared
with the total body of the citizenship,
but which had made itself obnoxious
to the whole commonwealth. He was
fortunate in having in Sheriff Martin
an officer of unusual poise and expert
ence and competency to see to the
carrying out of his plans. The cam
paign has been brought to fruition
with no untoward incident.
Becouse of the manner in which the
governor has proceeded, the Charles
ton situation long ago lost interest
for the public in general. 1t lacked
dramatic features. The governor
might readily have provided these
features, of course, and by doing so
could have made enormous polite al
capital for himself; but at the same
time he would have done irretriev-
able damage to the city of Charles
ton, and he would have failed besides
to secure the results which he has Sc
cured. Instead of the fine body of
public opinion which now supports the
administration of the law, the COM
munity would have been kept aflame.
A bitter antagonism would have been
stirred against us, and in the counter
resentment which would have been
felt locally the merits of the situa-
tion would have been lost sight of
wholly. Yet many people in other
parts of the State who are now en-
tirely Indifferent to the substantial
achievement which the governor has
wrought for this city and for South
Carolina would under the other case
have acclaimed loudly the futile up
roar he had raised. Noise and tumult
and shouting will often, unfortunately,
attract wide attention, where solid eff
fort seems tame and dull.
Nevertheless, the work which Mr..
Manning has accomplished in ridding
Charleston Of the blind tigers which
infect it, and to such a degree as
to have become a leading issue in the
politics of the State, has provided
South Carolina with an exhibition
which should prove useful for years
to come. He has established beyond
discussion that even the most difficult
of laws can be enforced, quietly and
effectively and with expanding bene-
fits, if only the right man is on the
job.
So far as Charleston is concerned
the burden of the governors work is
over. We are sure, now that it has
been carried to the point which has
been reached, that the citizens of
Charleston who will pause to review
the situation from the beginning will
agree with us that the people of this
city have great reason to be grateful
to him for what he has spared us,
as we'll as for what he has accom-