Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1919-07-23
LAW ENFORCEMENT CON-
FERENCE HELD.
Governor Discusses Problem
With Officers.

Methods to coordinate the energies
of the various agencies for the en-
forcements of laws in the State and
divers ways of quickening the public
pulse and stimulating public senti,
ment for law and order were debated
from every angle in the conference in
Columbia yesterday of solicitors, sher
ifs, magistrates and foremen OF
grand juries, called by Governor
Cooper.
That there is a pronounced sentl-
ment sweeping over the State against
wilful disregard of legal restraint was
almost universally expressed. In sew
eral instances there was eloquent tes-
timony to the awakened public con-
science. One instance in particular
was the message brought up from
Charleston, Sheriff Elmore Martin
and Frank j. Simmons, foreman OF
the Charleston grand jury, both paid
wholesome tributes to the potent
moral force which has been given and
the remarkable results attained
through the war period through COM
munity cooperation on the law en-
forcement program.
Another tribute to the awakened
sense of obligation of juries to con-
yict and of the citizen to give moral
and active support to those charged
with enforcing the laws was brought
bv Chief State Constable Eichelber-
ger from Florence. In his recent
work he has brought sc indictments
to the attention to the grand Jurles.
In each instance true bill was hand
ed down and S3 convictions were pro-
cured against three acquittals. There
has been an Improvement of at least
rs per cent, Mr.. Eichelberger said,
in public sentiment toward assisting
officers to take hold of violators OF
the law.
Two particular problems over
which officers have much anxiety are
those of dealing with extracts that
may be used as beverages, the negro
soldier who has come back from
France with altered views as to social
equality. To further strengthen the
hands Of the officer in dealing with
lemon extracts and other 5itters, used
as beverages, resolution was adopt
ed, appealing to the federal govern
ment to investigate the manufactur-
ers of these goods, now flooding the
State. The resolution offered by So
licitor L. M. Gasque of Marion reads:
Wants Investigation.
"Whereas, the State of South Caro-
lima is being flooded with socalled pat
ent medicines, known as Jamaica
ginger beef, wine and IRON bitters
and various and sundry other concoc-
tions which contain a large percent
age of alcohol and are sold as bever-
ages; and
"Whereas, the manufacture of all
these socalled medicines i'm beyond
the law of the State, being situated
in Richmond, Va, and other places;
and,
"Whereas, the sale Of such in our
State is not only prohibited by law,
but is menace to good health, NOR
ais and society;
Therefore, be it resolved by the
solicitors, sheriffs and other peace Of
fcers of the State of South Carolina,
in convention assembled by the call
of the governor, that the federal au-
thorities be requested to investigate
the manufacture and sale in our State
of the aforesaid concoctions by what
ever name known and see if the same
in this State can be prohibited; and
be it resolved further that copy OF
the resolutions be furnished District
Attorneys Francis H. Weston of Co.
lumbia and j. w. Thurmond of Edge
field, to each of our members in Con-
gress and that copy be given to the
press of the State"
Committee Will Act.
At the conclusion of the general
discussion of conditions, Solicitor j.
K. Henry of Chester, who had been
named as chairman of the meeting,
appointed committee of five sheriffs
to communicate with all sheriffs of
the State to ascertain in just what
way the State may come to their aid
in fu1thur strengthening the hand of
the officers. In some counties it was
ascertained yesterday that rural po-
lire were greatly needed and more