Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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PROHIBITIONISTS AND PROHIBITIONISTS. Dr. Cromer Asks a Number of More or Less Pertinent Questions. .To the Editor of the News and Courier: In an editorial this morning Von sav: -Dr. Cromer tells us that he is a 'loeal option Prohibitionist:' so are we. It would be interesting to have you tell your readers just what you mean by "so are we. Also, you say that you are a local option Prohibitionist and that the blind tigers in Charleston are local option Prohibitionists. Are we to in fer that you will vote against prohi bition because the blind tigers are for it? Besides. speaking of 'facts,' how do you know that the blind tigers are now local option Prohibitionists? A few years ago the charge was maide that a prominent .politician had said that the preachers were in league with the blind tigers and the devil in order to defeat the dispensary, his purpose being to discredit the opposi tion to the dispensary. But the dis pensary was defeated. Do you think that your repe: .-d assertion that the blind tigers ir, Prohibitionists will discredit prol!ibition and cause sensi ble men to surrender their honest con victions? Shall I vote against what I believe to be right, merely because I find that a man of low motives is voting for the same thing? I did not mean for my hearers to infer that in Charleston they put blind tigers on the grand jury, and I distinctly -emphasized the remarkable fact that the present grand jury is complaining that the city authorities do not enforce the liquor laws. I have no idea that the bright saying that I was quoting was intended to be*taken literally; I take it for granted t1hat it was simply intended to contrast two cities, in one of which public senti went enforced the law, and in the other of which it did not. Bat why quibble over a word or phrase I Was it not notorious a fewl years ago that Charleston grand juries refused to find true bills against blind tigers? So far as enforcing the liquor law was concerned, would conditions have been any more favorable to vio lators of law if the grand juries has been made up of blind tigers? You used the word "tax-dodging,'' not I. But I say of the proper+v owners of Charleston precisely wias I say of those of Newberry: If they are going to resort to the liquor traffic to get -the revenue to run their gov ernent and support their s3chools rather than pay taxes for these ob jects, then they are not worthy tb have either childr.z or schools. One citizens of t-he next generation are go ing to be no higher than the ideals . that we fix for the children of this generation. Again, speaking of "facts,'' is it true that there a.re 370 blind tigers in Charleston. and that they are fined $30 quarterly, the fine being in the nature of a license fee? I do not state that as a fact, but I have theard it stated as a fact. If it is a fact, the * taxpayers to whom you appeal should have a very tender regard for these blind tigers, for they also are helping to reduce the rate. of taxation. You get comfort out of my argu ment that the people should pay taxes .enough to support the Government; and you expect the people to be in-I fluenced in the election by the fear that if the dispensary is voted out, they will have to pay more taxes on! their millions or taxes on more of their millions. Would you mind pub lishing the amount of money on de posit in the banks of Charleston on~ the first of January, and the amount - of cash listed for taxation? I do not. sav as a fact that there are tax dodgers in Charleston. Do you say as a fact t'hat there are not? Geo. B. Cromer. Newberry, Jtily 23. The Taxpayer or the Tiger. Editorial in News and Courier. We print to-day another interesting letter from Dr. George B. Crome?r. ,He asks some questions, all of which we shall attempt to answer, and for * convenience we shall number them. 1. Dr. Cromer wants to know why we said we are a local Prohiibitionist. Because we are. As a matter of fact, we are opposed to prohibition, but to the extent that prohibition is 'a question that ought to be settled uipon tyhe thoroughly Democratic principle of local option, we are in favor of settling it in that way. At the same time and for the same reason we a:re a local option Dispensaryite and a local option high license advocate; or in other words, w~e are not a "crazy Prohibitionist.'' 2. "Are we to infer that you will vote against prohibition because the blind tigers are for it?'' Yes; that one of the reasos why we shall vote ainst prohibition; although we d mind saying that we should vote -prohibition for other reasor.s for the reason that prohibi tion will not Prohibit and nevr has prohibited. 3. How do you know that the blind tigers are now local option Prohibi tionists?'' Well, among other rea sons, because they are going to vote for prohibition. Should they vote against what they believe to be wrong merely because other men of -high motives are voting for what t.ev be lieve to be right? 4. "Do you think that your re peated assertion that the blind tigers are Prohibitionists will discredit pro hibition and cause sensible men to sur render their honest convictionz?"' We do not know how what we have said will influence the action of "sensible men," in view of the small impret;s ion we seem to have made upon Dr. Cromer; but, frankly speaking, we have had some such thought in mind, not that we would have any 'sensi bl- man to surrender his honest con victions,'" not a bit of it; but because we have hoped that "sensible men," although "local option Prohibition ists,'' would be able to regard the present situation from the blind tiger point of view and without any sur render of their honest convictions refuse to become the active if unwill ing partners of t'e most vicious an tagonists of the prohibition cause in this community. 3. Shall I vote against what I believe to be right, merely because I find that a man of low motives is roting for the same thing?" That is a matter for Dr. Cromer to settle for himself, but we should think that something would depend upon where he is going and what he is really try ing to do. - For example, if it is his purpose to promote the cause of tem perance. and this can be done more ffectively by regulating and restrict ing th-a traffic than by its nominal >rohibition. we should think that he would be fully justified in the court of conscience in surrendering "his honest convictions" to actual condi tions, which no "sensible man" can afford to discount. Several thousand ears ago practically the same ques tion was submitted to a great teacher by some querulous persons, who were shocked by the behavior of certain men, who plucked ears of corn on the Sabbath Day to appease their hunger, and we all know what the answer was. There is also another very interesting ld story about two men who went up into the temple to pray. 6. "But why quibble over a word r phrase?'' That is exactly what we say. Why quibble about prohibition, which will not prohibit instead of standing for a regulated traffic which will to some extent at least restrict the trade in intoxicating drink? 7. "Was it not notorious a few years ago that Charleston grand ju ries refused to find trie bills against blind tigers?'' We believe that is true, but if the evidence submitted to the grand juries was not sufficient in their opiinion to warrant indictment, does Dr. Cromer, who is a fine lawyer, think that t'he grand juries ought to bave found indictments against them just the same? Would he have the grand juries to indict persons for any other offence alleged against them upon what appeared to be insufficient evidence? In our opinion, the grand juries in this county have in a num ber of cases failed to do their duty; but is that any reason why the right of trial by jury should be denied to any person, even to the most hardened f all the criminals of this county? 8. "Again, speaking of 'facts,' is it true that there are 370 blind tigers in Charleston, and that they are fined $50 quarterly, the fine being in the na ture of a license "fee?'' We do not state it as a fact, but we have heard it st.ated as a fact, that there are now seventy-seven blind tigers on t-he list who are fined $50 at regular intervals, the fines paid by them being turned into the City Treasury. We have also eard it stated as a fact that the fines ,thus imposed are in effect. if not in esign, in the nature of a license fee. We do not state it as a fact, but we ave heard it stated as a fact, that a year or so ago there were 246 blind tigers in this town, and "if it is a at,'' it would seem that some im provement has been made in the sit ation. We do not state it as a fact, but we state it as a probable result of the election next month that there will hs more blind tigers in Charleston than there have ever if the local op tion Prohibitionists in this town shall vote with the blind tigers for prohibi tion. and prohibition shall. prevail. 9. "So far as enforcing the liquor law was concerned, would conditions have been any more favorable to vio lators of law if the grand juries had been made up of blind tigers?'' We do not know; Dr. Cromer can guess the answer to that question as well as we; at least he can answer it to his own satisfaction better than we could possibly hope to do. He appears to have made up his mind about Char leston on all questions, even down to the question of taxation. Dr. Cromer asks us for information as to the amount of money o)n deposit n thve banks of Charleston on the first of January, and the amount of cash listed for taxation. We do not know, but there was a great deal of it and taxes were paid on all of it either directly or indirectly, except so much of it as was deposited by the City and the General Government, either on the businesses in which the money was invested or on the money itself. Of course, Dr. Cromer knows that the sixteen million dollars or so in the banks of Charleston is not there in actual cash at any one time; but that it is outs at work, a great deal of it in mortgages on real estate, in loans to business men, in the varied activi ties of industry and commerce, and that all of it pays its share of tax ation. We say nothing about the property owners of Newberry, and suggest nothing to their discredit. In the matter of taxation in Newberry we are a local op)tion taxationist, if we may be allowed to coin a word for the occasoin. We would never think of going to Georgetown and St. George to tell the people of those communities that the property own ers of Newberry were dodging the tax-gatherer any more than we would think of going to those communities as a "local option Prohibitionist" to discourse upon the subject of local option in another town. Least of all would we think of repeating a fable as a fact for the purpose of embellish ing a period or making a point, or citing a horrible example without rel evance to the local situation. We are a local option Prohibition ist, likewise and of necessity a local option Dispensary advocate and a lo sal option high license newspaper. We are not a local option blind tigerite, and. by the same token, we are not "a crazy Prohibitionist.' * * * * ** ** * * ** GOOD ROADS DEPARTMENT * --- * * By the Good Roads League. * Good Roads Catechism. .. .. .. .. (Continued.) Can Newberry County get good roads without borrowing money? No. Will the present method of road working get good roads? No. What m:akes you say that? The long, sad experience that the county has had. Does property pay to help build roads? No. In what ways can the county get money for roads? It can levy a tax to be used as it is collected or it can borrow money. If the bonds are not voted, will a tax be collected this year on prop erty? Yes. What levy ? One mill. How is this tax to be divided among the townships? The act says: ''So as to secure an equitable distribution of work in the high,ways in each town ship. What will each township raise from this one mill tax? No. 1, $2,602.00; No. 2, $2,223.00 ; No. 3, $138.00; No. 4, $689.00:; No. 5, $269.00; No. 6, $414.00: No. 7, .$329.00; No. 8.$256.00; No. 9, $682.00; No. 10, $274.00 ; No. 11, $344.00. This does not include railroad tax. Do you consider this one mill tax a serious effort to build roads? No. What can be accomplished with it? Nothing, except in No. I. Suppose this tax is made two mills, what can be done? For most of the townships nothing. Double the above figures and decide for yourself. Suppose you lump the total tax and spend it all on one road, or all near a certain center, could you not in~ this way build some roads? Yes. Why is not that a good plan? It is alright for the people along the particular road you begin on, or fo'r the people living near the centre, if you build from the cent-re, but what are the rest-of the people going to do while they wait. What would they do? Kick and kick, then send 'a delegation to the legislature pledged to vote the tax off. Could any one blame them for this? No. Are these the reasons for saying that the whole county can't get good roads in any: othe'r way than by bor rowed money? Yes. Has any one ever figured out any other plan? No. Why don 't some opponent of the bonds so? Echo answers, ''Why.'' All the opponents of the bonds are in favor of good roads, are they not? They say so. 1-ow many mills will it cost to get $300,000.00 and repay it in 40 years? Two. How mue:h is that on the assessed val uation of property? 20 cents on .$100. I that all? Yes. And good roads can be had for that? Yes. By the way. did the court house bill pr!oide that the Commission shouNR get interest on the money while the building was going on? No. Did the Commission get interest? Yes. Why? Because the Commission demanded it. Do the ood rads bill provide for interest while the money i; being spent? Yes. Here is the wording of the act: "The said fund to receive interest at a rate of not less than 4 per cent.. per annum, for the average time it is on deposit." Can the good roads Commission cha!rge more than 4 per cent. while the $50,000 or any part thereof re mains in banks? Yes, if they can get it. Which safeguarded the interest of the County best on this point, the court house bill or the good .roads bill? That needs no answer, it is plain. Farmers' Union Picnic. There will be a Farmers' Union pienie in front of the parsonage near Piney Woods church on Friday. Au gust 20th. There will be speaking by prominent men and music for the occasion. Everybody is invited to at tend. Committee. V-,z 71, IDEAL' I -FOR OUR Athletic Underwear The Knee Length Sleeveless Kind Whether you lead a strenu ous life or not, our Sumner Underwear has several unex pected comforts in store for you-Roomy Comfort and the Maximum Coolness. BELTS - - 25c. t $1.00 SHIRTS 50c , $l.00Oto $1.50 COLLARS in quarter sizes 1 5c. each, two for a Quarter. EWART-PERRY 00. - BARBECUE I will give a barbecue Aug 20, at Mr. R. H. Burton's place six miles from town, known as Mr. George Sligh 's home, near Beth. Eden. Speak ing on good roads; amusement for young people. T. H. Cromer. NOTICE. On the tenth day of August, we will hold an election for cotton weigh er at Prosperity. All applications must be handed in on or before the fifth day of August to the under signed committee and, must be aee&m panied with one dollar. J. A. C. Kibler, J. S. Nichols, J. B. Dominick, Committee. Barbecue4t at St. Paul's. We, the undersigned, will give a first class ba:-becue at St. Paul's church Friday, July 30, 1909. A large attendance is desired. A first class dinner guaranteed to all who attend this barbecuie. Come one, come all, and enjoy the day. George R.ichardson, :J. Walter Richardson. TEACHER WANTED. A teacher for Central school. Sal ary $40.00. Term 5 or 6 months. Ap plicants apply to either of the under signed on or before August 1, 1909. P. 0. W. Setzler, J. A. Counts, L. A. Sheely, Trustees.* Pomaria, S. C. ANNUAL SCHOOL MEETING. The annual school meeting of New berry school district will be held in the court house on Friday, July 30, 1909, at 10 a. m. to hear the annual report of the treasurer of the Newber ry graded schools. F. N. Martin, J. M. Davis, President. Bar gain Pianos As Long as They Last One $450 Piano $285 One 435 Piano 325 Two 400 Pianos 275 Two 375 Pianos 225 Two 325 Pianos 205 One 300 Piano 185 One 300 Piano 165 Standard makes fully guaranteed Call on or write for further information TliIMI~TI :AL ME1CCL 1320 Main Street, Columbia, S. C. EVERYTHING IN MUSIC Schedules Effective June 20th, 1909. Northbound Depaxtures from New berry, S. C. 8:57 a. m., No. 15, daily, for Ander son, Greenville and -intermediate points connecting at Greenville for Atlanta and points North. Arrive at Anderson 12:24 noon, Greenville 1:15 P. M. *2:48 p. m., No. 11, daily, to Ander son, Greenville and intermediate points, connecting at Greenville for Atlanta and points north. Arrive An derson 6:14 p. m., Greenville 6:55'p m. Southbound. 1:40 p. in., No. 18, daily, for Co lumbia, Charleston, Augusta and in-* termnediate points. Arrive Columbia, 3:25 p. m. Charleston 8 :45..p. mn. Au gusta,'S :35 p. mn. 8:47 p. mn., No. 16 daily, for Co luinbia, Charleston and intermediate points. Pullman sleeper from Colu.m bia, arrive Columbia 10:35 p. m. Charleston 6:15 a. mn. Summer Exeursion tickets now on sale. For further information, apply to ticket agents, or, C. H. Ackert, V. P. & G. M., Washington, D. C. W. H. Tayloe, G. P. A., Washington, D. C. J. L. Meek, A. G. P. A., Atlanta, Ga. W. E. McGee, T. P. A., Augusta, Ga. NOTICE TO SEWER CONTRIAC TORS. Sealed proposals will be received by the undersigned at ,Newberry, S., C., until Tuesday, August 10th, at 12 o'clock noon, for the extension of the water and sewerage system in the city of Newberry. Plans and specifica tions will be ready by July 24th, and may be seen at the office of the board of public works, Newberry, S. C., or may be obtained from the consulting engineers at Columbia, S. C., oni dee posit of $25.00, as a guarantee that they will be promptly returned. The tright is reserved to reject any or all bids. M. L. Spearmnan, W. F. Ewart, Chas. E. Sumer, ICommissioners of Public Works, Newberry, S. C. Wilson, Sompayrae & Urquhart, .Consulting Engineers, Columbia, S. C. University of South Carolina. Schools of Arts, Science, Education, Law, Engineering, and Graduating Studies. Ten different courses leading to the degree s of A. B. and B. S College fees. room and light $66. Board $12 per month. Tuition re mitted in special cases. Forty-iwo sch'larships, e aeh worth $1oo in cas h and free tuition. For catalogue address S. C. MITCHELL rs Announcement! This being our twenty-fifth of uninterrupted success, we wi to be our "Banner Year." Our thousands of satisfied c tomers, and fair dealing, is brin us new customers daily. If you are contemplating the pu chase of a Piano or Organ, write u at once for catalogs, and for ou special proposition. Malone's Music Hou COLUMBIA, S. C. A typ -to-dyM. Has cured itch magically for oth in Newbrarry and will eure for y For sale at Mayes' Drug Store. NEWBERRY UNION STATION Arrival and Departure of P Trains-Effective 12.01 A. M. Sunday May 30, 1909. Southern Railway: No. 15 for Greenville .. ..8.57a.. No. 18 for Columbia .. ..1.40 p No. 11 for Greenville .. ..2.43 p. No. 16 for columbia .....8.47 p 0., N. & L. By *No. 22 for Columbia .. ..8.47 a.M No. 52 for Greenville .. 12.56 p.m, No. 53 for Columbia .. ..3.20 p.m. *No. 21 for Laurens .. ..7.25 p.m. Does not run on Sunday This time table shows the times a. which trains may be expoeted to di part from this station, but their d parture is not guaranteed and time shown is subject to c1ange wi at notice. G. L. Robinson, Station Master. CHA.LESTON & WESTERN C OLINA BY. Schedule in effect May 31, 1908. Lv. Newberry(C N & L) 12:56 p.m. Ar. Laurens 2:02 p.m. Lv..Laurens (C & W C) 2:35 p.m.. Ar. Greenville 4:00 p.m. Lv. Laurens 2:32 p.m. Ar.. Spartanburg 4:05 p.m. Lv. Spartanburg (So. Ry.) 5:00 p.m. Ar. Hendersonville - 7:45 p.m. &r. Asheville 8:50 p.m. Lv. Laurens (C & W C) 2:32 p.m. Ar. Greenwoo,d 3:32 p.m. Ar. McCormick 4:33 p.m. Ar. 'Augusta 6:15 p. Tri-Weekly Parlar Car line tween Augusta and Asheville. T* Nos. 1 and 2, leave Augusta Tuesdays Thursdays and Saturdays, leav Asheville Mondays, Wednesdays an Fridays. Note: The above arrivals and d partures, as well as connections wi other companies, are given as info mation, and are not guaranteed. Ernest Williams, Gen. Pas3. Ag?., Augusta, Ga. Geo. T. Bryan. . M-'enviJne. S. C.. BLUE RIDGE SOXEDULES. Eastbound. (Co. 18, leaves Anderson at 6.30 a. en., for connection at Belton witflk 'sonthern for Greenville. No. 12, from Walballa, leaves An. derson at 10.15 a. in., for connection at Belton with Southern Railway for No. 20, leaves Anderson at 2.20 ). in., for connnections at Belton with .outhern Railway for Greenville. No. 8, daily except Sunday, from Walhalla arrives Anderson 6.24 p. in., with connections at Seneta. with Southern Railway from points south. No. 10, from Walhalla, leaves An derson at 4.57 p. mn., for connections -it Belton with Southern Railway for Greenville and Columbia. Westbound. No. 17, arrives at Anderson at 7.50 at. in., from Bolton with cojnnections from Greenville. No. 9,.arrives at Anderson at 12.24 p. mn., from Belton with connections frem Greenville and Columbi.a. Go'es to Walhalla. No. 19. al-rves at Anderson at 3.40 p. mn., from Belton with connections from Greenville. No. 11. arrives at Anderson at 6 29 p. in., from Belton with con nections from Greenville and Colum bia. Goes to Walhalla. No. 7, daily except Sunday, Anderson at 9.20 a. mn., fo'rWlhal with co'ietions at Seneca ,o -mints sah Nos. }7,s 18, 1.9,a