Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1922-03-15
Wednesday, March IS
Concerning Local Conditions.

dent of the Law ana Orosf League
clearly setting forth the purpose 1or
which the League was organized and
also what it hopes to accomplish.
Even the casual observer will see
the need of such an organization in
E6eeaeld. First, for the purpose OF
creating a stronger sentiment for
law enforcement and, second, through
eo.cc.ted effort, to aid the officers in
enforcing the law. All law-enforce-
aaent officers need the cooperation OF
the citizens.
But, frankly, for we might as well
face the facts as they are, we, can
moi hope for a higher respect for law
and fer a better enforcement of law
in Edgefeld, until the present mayor
changes his attitude toward law en-
forcement or until the people of the
town elect a mayor and council that
will stand uncompromisingly for law
enforcement.
It is yet fresh in the memories of
our people how Inundated a large
portion of the citizenship of South
Carolina was several years ago when
the governor of the state blatantly
declared in a public address in an
other state, "To hell with the consti-
tuition" So are many people in Edge
field, especially the fathers and moth
ers, disappointed when the mayor de-
clares emphatically that he will not
enforce certain laws while he is may
or. When such an unusual statement
is made by the highest executive or
law enforcement officer of a commu-
nifty, il breeds disrespect for all laws.
Evil doors are made to feel that they
have immunity from law while that
official occupies the seat of authority.
Not only are some laws violated in
Edgefe1d with the consent of the
mayor, but seemingly no efforts are
being made, or have ever been made
by the present mayor, to enforce
some other laws. The report is cur
rent that a man who lives in OF near
Ward wanted some whiskey and went
TO Ridge Spring to get it. Being un-
able to buy it there, he next went to
Johnston, where his efforts likewise
proved fruitless. The Thirsty indi-
vidual was then told to go to Edgefeld
where he could not only get it but
that the whiskey would be handed out
to him over the counter. The story
goes that he came to Edgefeld and
got his whiskey.
1t is a matter of common report
that whiskey has been regularly sold
in certain places in Edgefield for
years, even handed out over the oun
ter, almost as in the old barroom
days, but has the mayor ever given
orders to have these places raided?
He must have heard at some time of
these fragrant violations of law,
which expose our boys and young men
TO temptation, but has he ever had
these places raided even a single
time? Edgefeld needs a mayor who
will make it difficult for these indi-
yiduals to violate the law, by raiding
their places every day, if needs be, in
stead of causing them to feel that
They have immunity under the law dur
ing his administration. He mas the re-
sources of the town at his command
and, furthermore, public sentiment in
Edgefeld is overwhelmingly against
the sale of whiskey, which would
make the discharge of duty along this
line easier here than it would be were
The sentiment against such a policy.
If the mayors of Johnston and
Ridge Spring keep liquor out of their
towns, why can not the mayor of
EoSeneld keep liquor out OF Edge
field? Certainly he should make a SUI
preme effort and not have it said of
Edgefeld that it is "handed out over
the counter" here. We believe such
places in Johnston and Ridge Spring
would be raided frequently and final
ly driven out. The failure to suppress
the sale of whiskey in Edgefeld
does not lie altogether at the door of
The marshals of the town. They exc
cute the orders of the mayor and can
do practically nothing without his
backing II support.
The way in which some operators
of crude distilleries come to Edgefeld
and, without any attempt at secrecy,
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