The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-03-09
WHISKEY TALK
IN SENATE
Lee Senator Makes Sensational
Statements Regarding Sale
of IntOxicants

Columbia, March 5.--During the
debate on the amendment of the
hnance committee to increase the law
enforcement fund from $24,S0O to
$4,000 Senator Raskin of Lee made.
some warm statements against the
whiskcy constablcs and officers i'm
general who, no said allow the law
10 be violated. He charged that
right here in Columbia under the
dome of the capitol and the govern
ors nose whiskey was being sold and
SAID ne could buy ii in five minutes
after he left the state house. He
charged that it could be bought
freely in Columbia and added that
he knew the fire water" could be
delivered to the desks of the senator's.
Mr.. Baskin said the law was be-
ing violated by people everywhere
and charged that many of the sena-
tors and members of the house wcr.
walking around i'm the chambers with
pistols i'm their pockets
Mr.. Baskin said he believed there
was still within 100 yards Of the
state capitol building and knew
there were plenty Of them in Column
pia. He didn't understand why the
law officers couldn't find the whiskey
and the stills rs the effects of the
moonsliinc was easily seen on the
senate floor, he said. Mr.. Baskin
said he had never taken bur one
drink Of liquor i'm his life, and that
was when the doctor gave it to him
when he was bitten by a rattlcsnake.
Senator Johnson asked Mr.. Baskin
now many times he had been bitten
by snake and the senator from Lee
said only once.
Senator Hart defended the work of
the constables, showing that the Off
Ger in his section of the state had
turned back into the treasury last
year In fihes, etc, nearly $4,000. Mr.
Hart humorOusIy added that the pco-
pie in his country did not object to
whSkey distilleries if the moon
sinners made good liquor. In sup
porting the amendment for more
money che showed plenty OF work Is
to be done. York county being cover
ed with Illicit distilleries, he said.
Senator Bonham was strongly
against the constables, holding that
they did nothing but "cooperate"
with federal officers and let the fed
eral officers get all the spoils. Mr..
Bonham was i'm favor Of striking out
the whole item for law enforcement.
for az he saw ii the law was not be-
ing enforced. hut on the other hand
iiagrantly violated everywhere.
Senator Moore said the enforcement
tund was mere makcshift and
nothing could be done with the
small amount and for that reason he
was against the increase. If suffi-
cient funds could be provided he
would be willing to vote for sum
TO stop lawlessness, but he said he
was against the apparent wasting OF
$50, 900.
Senator Marion made an earnest
pea Tor the increase, pointing out
.hat the job was statewide and not
'or counties He said if, enough
money could not be provided at least
start could be made. The Chester
senator said that i'm some instances,
he hau becn informed, the sheriffs
were In sympathy with mOonshiners
ana Tor this reason the state force
was essential enforce the law and
protect the people.
The debate had waxed warm and
been in progress for some timo and
due TO the late hour Senator John
stone said he would not 90 into q do.
Tense or the committees recomnon
dation as he would like to. reolizing
that number of statements w.ro
not based upon SOUND reasoning Uo
was in favor of allowing the I'm.
crease.