Evening star., 1934-01-07
RECOVERY LAUDED
IN SOUTH CAROLINA
Laborers, Farmers, Officials
and Editors Join in Tributes
to President.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
COLUMBIA, S. c., January g.
Il am journeyman plumber and 1
won't have to beg much longer if the
people of this country stand behind
President Roosevelt" said an old man
in the streets of Columbia in the last
few days, as he asked aid to secure
nights lodging.
The greatest thing that was ever
bestowed on this Nation was the cleo
ton of Franklin D. Roosevelt" said
Mayor Owen of the capital city of
this State.
He came as a providential leader
Millions of people in this coun-
try have many times in recent months
had occasion to thank God for Roose-
welt. And this quiet, kindly leader Is
still thinking and working day and
night for the benefit of the millions" :"
says an editorial in the State, the lead
ing newspaper of South Carolina.
The cotton mill employees and the
small farmers are overwhelmingly for
him. A few politicians are not for
him, but they are cowed. few ultra
! conservatives are not for him, but they
do not know where to turn.
Short Session Expected.
The people of South Carolina will be
surprised if there will be long session
of Congress. They expect something
| Of a give -and-take program to be
adopted and the necessary legislation
soon to be passed. If the old political
| leaders do not support President
take charge of the politics of this State
at the next general election. They are
now organized as a distinct element.
The Republican party, which had its
best organization in go years in this
State under President Hoover, may be
able to maintain a Semblance Of Or
ganization, but as a threatening power
it does not exist.
The peoples minds are on public
works. That means Federal jobs. And
these Federal jobs have pretty thor
oughly disorganized farm labor. The
day Of a cabin, a garden and free
wood and water and $12 to SIS a
month for hired hands does not exist
in South Carolina. And the share
cropper, who put his labor against the
land and a mule and farm imple-
ments is very much reduced in num-
bers.
Federal day labor jobs will do more
to, reduce cotton acreage and cotton
production in this State than farm
loans. Between the two no one can
predict the future of cotton farming
in South Carolina. But material
changes are expected.
Legislature to Meet.
The State Legislature meets this
week. Next to finances the liquor ques-
ton will be the most vital. The State
voted against repeal of the eighteenth
amendment by a decided majority, but
nf C.
tered voters took part in that election.
| However the result of the election has
| given pause to the wet politicians. who
| were In favor Of some radical liquor
laws as compared with prohibition.
The Legislature Is decidedly wet, but
| the vote against repeal has taken some
| of the aggresSiveneSs out of the men,
bers. The failure Of the people to
take advantage of the quart-a-month
law Is also taken as indicative Of the
sentiments of the voters. Now per-
son may secure certificate by de-
claring that he needs whisky or other
strong liquor for medicinal purposes
quart q month shipped him. Few are
taking advantage Of this.
How far the Illicit distillers are at
their work is hard to determine, as
there is little interference with them.
AS will be recalled by those con-
versant with the history Of the State,
| there was a dispepsary system in force
| in South Carolina about 20 years
The State for q time had an absolute
monopoly of the sale Of all intoxi-
eating liquors, including beer and wine.
Later this monopoly was delegated to
such counties as wanted it. But the
whole system was abolished and the
ouart-a-month plan adopted.