The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1916-03-03
Representative Workman Will
Probably Run for State Senate
AT the Request of The Herald and Ne10s He Answers
Questions as TO the Work of the Last Legislature Lack
of Leadership Tax Question, Liquor Matter

committee where it stayed for con-
siderable length OF time and at last was
unfavorably reported. In the mean
time this same committee introduced It's
bill to create the tax commission. This
bill was promptly passed and heralded
abroad as tax reform To call this act
tax reform is frank admission and
bold assertion OF profound ignorance OF
the subject Of taxation, This act only
made some changes ii the machinery
designed to administer our tax system
it had absolutely nothing to do with
tie system itself 1t was change III
the system that was desired, and there
can be no real tax reform until this
change is made And to make that
change the constitutional amendment l
| affered will have to be adopted. The
tax commission was appointed and set
to work. What happened After
wears work they filed their report in
which they urged the general assembly
to adopt by constitutional amendment
This commission thoroughly appreciates
the fact that their lands are tied-tlat
there can be no tax reform until this
constitutional restriction is removed.
Re chairman Of this commissiin in a
conversation with me about this matter
expressed very great surprise at the ul-
favorable report my resolution receiv-
cd
What about tie liquor question" Mr..
Workman was then asked.
"Oh. it played a very prominent,
though I think rather unfortunate,
part in the Legislative program at the
last session. Certainly there was no dis
play of craftsmanship in the acts on
this subject at this session. At the last
session the gallon month act was
passed, also the so-called prohibition
act submitting to the people the ques-
ton as to whether the manufacture and
sale of alcoholic liquors and beverages
shall be prohibited or continued IN this
State as now provided by law. l think
this legislation should have sufficed for
the present. Liquor is not question to
be solved according to philosophical
principles, but rather one to settle on
practical grounds. Expediency, not
/ logic. must determine the kind Of, and
necessity, not fanatic;5m, should deter
mine the time for, legislation on this
subject. The legislator, however, much
he might indulge hope for the early
arrival OF the day when the liquor traf-
ic shall find no protection beneath the
folds of the national uag, or however
much he may desire to free his people
from the baneful effects of its hurtful
reign. should bear in mind that the
liquor evil, like every other evil that in
heres in the social organism, must be re-
moved, if at all. by the process of evo-
luton. The liquor laws must not go
beyond the habits and sanction of the
majority. if they are to be ehectual.
Perhaps you may be in doubt as to
which class l belong-the prohibtionists
Ill cho
try to dispel that doubt by assuring you
that l belong to both classes. Theoret-
ically and abstractly l am an anti-prohl-
bitionist, for the reason that l very
strongly believe in the Democratic prin-
ciple that the State should make as few
inroads as possible upon the individual
rights OF the citizens Practically and
concretely am prohibitionist, for the
reason that l very strongly believe in
the paternalistic principle that the
State should do for the citizens that
which he can not do for himself. While
| thus belong to both classes, I presume
that my practical prohibition 1ncllnauonS
outweigh my philosophical anti-pro-
hibition predictions.
DO you wish to make any statement
/ concerning the financial condition Of
Newberry county"
q will only say that the finances Of
this county are in a deplorable condi-
ton. For years those in authority
have tried to make levy of 3 I-2 mills
meet all the ordinary expenses. Almost
every year there was deficit. To pay
off all this back Indebtedness a few
years ago the county was bonded for a
considerable amount The levy was not
increased The annual appropriations in
cluding that for roads and bridges have