Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1919-07-23
GOVERNOR ADVISES OFFICERS.
Mr.. Cooper PoiDts Ont High RcSpon-
SibiIiticS Of Law Officers.

pie VIII ucnlanu IL nigh StolluaTu Ol
morality and law observance. VAS the
central thought presented to solici-
tors. shcriffs and magistrates hy
Governor Cooper to-day at the con
ference called here by him to devise
plans for Il more thorough system Of
law observance and law enforcement.
Large profits from the illicit sale
o; intoxicants and Il loosenng of
had caused many persons in South
Ca! olina to erect distilleries and had
caused immoral practices in various
par OF the State. These conditions,
he thought, could be remedied by
the cooperation Of the peace officers,
backed by healthy public opinion.
The Governor quoted Il wealth Of
statistics showing the jail popula-
tions of South Carolina, the pre-
valancy Of various sorts of crime and
various other figures dealing with
the States criminology.
The Governor said in part:
81 have requested conference
with the sheriffs, foremen of grand
juries. solicitors and magistrates for
the purpose Of discussing the admin
Stration Of criminal laws of this
State. | do not wish to create the
impression that the people Of South
Carolina are lawless. because ! am
sure that the great majority are
law-abiding and law-respecting. But
due to combination of circum-
stances we have a lawless condition
throughout the State. The sale Of
! Intoxicating liquors and every com
pound or mixture of every kind that
is calculated to produce drunkenness
has been condemned. This prohibi-
ton Is now nation wide. Owing to
the very high price which Il great
many people are willing to pay for
alcoholic beverages, illicit distilleres
! have sprung up all over the State,
and various devices are being used
/ in the manufacture Of intoxicants.
My information is to the effect that
men who ordinarily would not think
OF engaging in any illegal practice
are so attracted by the profits which
they may make that they are engag-
ing in this nefarious business But
there are other matters closely al
! lied with and resulting from this
practice tGNt must he considered.
The population Of the jails in this
Stnf
sections reports of immortality have
, been called to my attention. A great
deal Of this condition is doubtless
due to the natural reaction following
! the war. and incident to the general
unsettled condition. Whatever may
he the cause. or the explanation the
fact remains that there is more viO-
lation Of law in this State and more
immortality than is conclusive to the
! best interest of our people.
The Governor cannot without the
support OF the good people Of the
state prevent crime. The solicitors
can not suppress crime without the
aid OF public opinion and cO-opcra-
ton on the part Of the citizens. The
sheriff is powerlcss in the discharge
OF his duties unless he is likewise
supported by the people of his county.
Grand juries may present bills Of in
dictment. but no good results can be
expected unless every presentment is
approved by the people whom they
serve. The magistrate is also de-
pendent for the successful admins
tration OF his office on public .opin-
ion. My experience as prosecuting
officer has led me to the conclusion
that while all this is true. yet the
Governor, solicitors. sherims and
magistrates can create public
opinion and secure the co-opcration
and support Of the people of their
county by tactful and efficient ad-
ministration Of their respective
Offices.
My purpose. therefore, in calling
this conference is that we may take
counsel together. have an exchange
or views as TO conditions. and the
remedy to be applied, and thus aid
in creating not only a sentiment
against crime. but an active. aggrcs-
Sivc cooperation OF all the machinery
for its suppression. | confess to YOU
that | have felt deep concern over
conditions as they have been re-
ported to me, but am not pcssimis-
tic. | am not in the least discouraged
because am sure that you gentle |
men will give to me that support and
CO-ODcratiOn which | need can