Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1922-03-22
Wednesday, March %.
That Call Upon the Editor.

llSheQ IN Tine ECSSleLu ClIoLiiSie A@SS
week, signed by the mayor of Edge
field, in which reference was made to
an editorial in The Advertiser and to
a call upon the writer by the mayor,
town attorney and marshal, were
misleading, being as follows: "Mayor
Edwards Replies to Unjust and I'm
supported Charges by Editor Minis"
The fact is only n charge was
made in the editorial, to wit: That
the mayor is not enforcing certain
laws. AS the correctness of this state
ment has been admitted by the may
or Il could not have been unjust"
and furthermore it was supported"
by a statement>made by a member of
the town council to the writer.
Now, as to the interview by three
of Edgefeld's official family. We are
glad they came, as nothing is ever
lost by a personal discussion of a
matter in the proper spirit.
The Mayor.
When he approached US he asked in
a respectful way to what law we re-
ferred as not being enforced by him.
He was told that he is not enforcing
the Sunday closing law, quoting a
member of the council as u author
ity for the statement. The mayor
then said this matter was discussed
by the council and that a majority
decided not to enforce the Sunday
closing ordinance. The facts in the
premises are, so we have been in
formed by a member of the council
who was present, the matter was
discussed but no action was taken,
and that furthermore during the,dis-
cussion the mayor stated that he
would not while he is mayor enforce
the ordinance. It is also true that he
was not enforcing this ordinance
prior to this discussion of the matter
by the council. Later in the interview
with us the mayor admitted that he is
not enforcing the Sunday closing or
dinance and offered as argument to
sustain his position that our young
men would motor to Aiken and Au-
gusta to get their soft drinks. We
then remarked that the ordinance
should Ibe repealed rather than be
violated with official sanction. In re-
ply the mayor stated that if it were
repealed the grocery stores could
open for business on Sunday. Surely,
then, considering it on so low a plane
as that, should not merchants who
sell necessities be accorded equal
privileges with those who sell lux
uries?
In our editorial. last week we ask
ed if the mayor had ever had any
places in Edgefeld, in which it is sus-
pected that whiskcy is sold, raided.
In the interview he stated that on
one occasion, acting upon a report
some one had made, he instructed the
marsha! to search the place but no
whiskey was found. But why does
not the mayor have places where
whiskey selling is alleged, raided on
his own initiative, not once but fire.
quently, making it more difficult for
them to violate the law? Let these
fragrant violators feel the force of
law and constituted authority.
Near the opening of the article
above referred to the mayor says, 81
believe that a good majority of the
people of Edgefield believe that I
stand for enforcement of the law"
and then in the closing paragraph of
said article he says, 81 stand for a
fair and reasonable enforcement of
the laws of our town, county and
state" 1t is a qualified or restricted
enforcement Of the law, a "fair and
reasonable" enforcement, such as
the mayor says his position is, which
pleases those who are disposed to
violate the law. A one-hundred per
cent effort at enforcement has the
most deterrent effect upon the law
less. An attitude of "fair and reason
abue" enforcement will tend to take
the "teeth" out of any law.
1t is true, as the mayor stated, that
one officer can not look after work
ing the streets, police the entire
town, which embraces a radius of one
mile from the court house in every
direction, and at the same time de-
vote especial attention to apprehend-