The watchman and southron. (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, January 20, 1897, Image 1
THK SUMTER WATCHMAN, Established April, 1850. "Be Just and Fear not-Let all the Ends thou Aims't at, be tr * Country's, thy God's and Truth's." THE TRUE SOUTHRON, Established jone. 1266
Consolidated Aug. 2,1881
New Series-Toi XVI. So. 25
C?fcteftjnnan at? S?U?IJOT.
* Published Erery Wednesday,
-BY
IV. Gr. Osteen,
SUMTER, S. C.
TERMS :
$1 50 per annum-in advance.
ADYERTISEKEKT:
One Square first insertion.$1 GO
Every subsequent insertion. 50
Contracts for three months, or longer will
be made at reduced rates.
All communications which subserve private
interests will becharged for as advertisements.
Obituaries and tributes of respect will be
charged for.
THE MESSAGE.
Gov. Evans' Last Public Doc?
ument.
SYNOPSIS OF THE LEADING
PARTS.
Gentlemen of the Genera1, Assembly :
It is the duty of the Governor under
the Constitution io give you from time
to time information of the condition of
the State and to recommend such meas?
ures for your consideration as he may
deem expedient. ? shall confine my?
self ia this last annual message to giv?
ing you euch information as I have
been abie to obtain as to the condition
of the State, leaving to my successor to
make recommendations as to any
future legislation or policy.
The Dispensary law is stronger
to-day than at any time since its enact?
ment, and is better enforced, as will
appear from the statistics later OD. At
the last session of your honorable body
I recommended a change in the laws,
setting forth my reasons fully at the
time for so doing. I showed to you
bow it was impossible for the old Board
of Control, composed of State officers,
to control, and bow unjust it was to
force the Governor and Chairman of
the Board to approve and sign warrants
about which he had no inform?tico I
knew that if any irregularity occured
tbe enemies would at once cry corrup?
tion. And in their efforts to make cap*
ital against the Chief Executive to the
constables with wrong doing. Suoh
bas been1 the case, and the wisdom of
my advice and your subsequent pas?
sage of the present law is fully proved.
This is the mest important matter
you will have to deal with, and I
would respectfully call your attention to
the exoetlent report of the Board of
Control with the request that you trudy
it and think well before making any
changes in the present system.
THE DISPENSARY AS A BUSINESS.
Up to the time of my induction into
efice as Governor the Dispensary had
been in operation about eighteen
months The Governor was charged
not only with tbe enforcement of the
law, but as business manager io the
capacity of Chairman cf the Board of
Control. The business had continually
increased until it reached over a mil?
lion of dollars annually. Realizing
that as a business it was tentative, that
it bad not been placed upon what could
be truly called a business plane, and
ibat it was burdened with crudities of
which it must be divested before it
could re-ich the expectations of the
public as a moral reformation and a
business success, my first official act
was to give its former management a
a thorough investigation in order to
ascertain its financial status as well as
its weak points. I was beset by many
difficulties, political as well as business.
To commence the business the General
Assembly of 1892 voted au appropria?
tion ol ~50,000. For the first eighteen
months of its existence the Dispensary
experienced many vicissitudes, and
when it was placed in my hands I found
it still embarrassed and hardly able to
stand alone. It had not paid a dollar
into the State treasury in net earnings,
and the $50,000 appropriation was still
unliquidated The statements of its
growth and progress as published from
time to time by the former Commission?
er were unsatisfactory to the publio for
tbe reason that the system of book?
keeping was a Chioese puzzle, and no
ooe could tell exactly the true status of
the bustoess.
This fact gave color to the adverse
criticisms of tho administration of the
law, and invited tbe terrific accusations
that were made against those charged
with its management. The last state?
ment of the assets and liabilities aod
profits which the former Commissioner
made was for the quartsr ending Jan?
uary 31st, 1895. In that statement
tho profits claimed to have accrued / to
date amounted to $151,259 51. Book?
keepers of experience could Dot cipher
this out and claims were made that the
profits were fictitious I determined to
change the business management and
to adopt a fall and satisfactory system
of accounting.
An expert bookkeeper was emplojed
and it was ascertained that the profit
claimed had not accrued but that the
accrued profit to that date was forty
odd thousand dollars less than the
amount. This w*s simply a mistake io j
bookkeeping and io crediting to the pro
fit accouor what had not accrued, but
what wa? expected to have accrued in j
the hands of County Dispensers. Af- !
ter a thorough dissection of account* I
ii was ascertained that the profi'8 had
not reached ?11,000. The entire
assets, including cash, merchandise,
teams and wagons and personal ac?
counts, amounted in round numbers to
$198 OOO The liabilities amounted
in round numbers to ?86 OOO. The
total assets being subsequently affected
to the amount of $2 OOO in a fioal
checking and adjust meet of accounts.
The liabilities were as follows:
To State appropriation, ?50,000; to
sundry persons for liquors, $36,000;
total indebtedness, ?86.000 Cash on
hand, ?45,848.40 or ?40,451 60 less
than amount necessary to liquidate the
indebtedness This is simply ? rough
statement of th* R?atus of thc Dispen?
sary when ? took charge of th* busi?
ness, I am happy to state that ? turned
it over to my successor healthy and in
good condition and as sound financially
as any bu^ioess institution of the coun?
try. It has been taken out of politics
and placed in the hands of a Board of
Control composed of farmers, bankers
and business men of ability whose rep
utation for honesty and integrity oan
not be impugned The purchasing
power, such a temptation to some men,
has been taken from tbe bands of the
Commissioner and given to this Board.
They have exercised it judiciously a-:d
in a manner to command the respect of
all parties. The duties of the Com?
missioner are now exercised by the
Chairman of the Board and Superin?
tendent, and the office of Commissioner
could be abolished by your body. Tf
this power is ever again placed in the
hands of one man he would at once be?
come an object of vituperation, mis?
representation, abuse and slander of all
the enemies of the Dispensary and
every penny a-liner without any moral
or social responsibility.
The experience of the past year
should be enough to convinoe your
body of the truth of ali that I have
said and predicted, and while I am sure
that you will be advised and impor?
tuned to change this law and return to
tbe old system, you will find by investi
gation that such propositions come from
lean and hungry politicians with itch?
ing palms. You will be told that the
operations of the present Board are a
failure. Judge by their acts and the
resolts and not by hearsay. The sub
joined comparative statement ot sales to
County Dispensers has been furnished
me by the bookkeper and is subject to
your examination and verification :
Sales lo County Dispensers, Feb?
ruary 1 to December 1, 1895, ?896,
120 17.
Sales to County Dispensers for the
year 1896, $1.306.612.91.
Increase, $410,492.74.
Sales by County Dispensers, Febru?
ary 1 to December 31, 1895, $1,076,
963 65.
Sales bv County Dispensers for 1896
(estimated), $l,50l),000.
Increase, ?423,036 35
PROFITS STATE DISPENSARY
Net accrued profits, State Dispensary
from February 1st to December 31st,
1895, $123,467.77.
Net accrued profit, State Dispensary
1896. ?200.000.
PROFITS COUNTY BI-PENSARIES.
Net profits to town and counties from
February lat to December 31st, 1896,
?106,131 28.
Net profits to towns and counties
1896 (estimated), ?122,005.65.
The amount that bas been actually
paid to the State, county and town
treasurers from the net earnings from
the State and County Dispensaries is as
follows :
Paid iotJ the State treasury in 1895,
$100,000.00
Paid into the State treasury iu 1896,
?100,000,00.
Total, ?200,000 00.
Paid to towns and counties io 1895,
$106,131.28.
Paid to townes and counties io 1896,
$122,000 00.
Grand total net profits paid in from
all souroes. ?428,131.20.
For further particulars of stock and
cash on hand, etc.. I respectfully refer
you to the report of the State Board of
Control herewith submitted.
It will be thus sees that as a busi?
ness its success cannot be denied. To
the above estimates the sam of $50,
000 per annum the average cost of main?
taining the Dispensary constables,
should be added. It has not been the
object of the State administration to
the conduct this business
for the sole , purpose of profit, but
the price of liquors has been fixed with
a view to make them cheap enough to
prevent extortion from those who
should have liquors and at the same
time high enough to prevent those who
should not have them from so easily
satisfying their thirst. It has been
cootended by extreme advocates of the
Dispensary law that the profit feature
should be abolished. There is no profit
except for the purpose I have stated,
aud if such ideas should prevail and
liquors supplied to the pubiio with only
the cost of administering the law added
to the original cost prices wc have a j
v
A
I ria.e of i-ffairtJ bordering on to trt-i
whiskey After rhis year all profit!
ari-iog from the sale of i quo rs will bi
applied to the supplementary soboo
fund If thii? is blood m?>?ey. as tot
Clanks contend, to whar better u?e.<
C")u?d it be applied than to bealing the
wounds inflicted upon the heart* o;
the wive.* and children of iotenuperatc
drinker? thau by ging to such children
the only true safeguard against, intern
peraooe, education and culture?
ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW.
The enforcement of the Dispensary
law has been the bane of the whiskey
dealer, the terror of the illicit distil
1er, the pitiful excuse for the opposi
don of hypocrites, cranks and the
platform of disgruntled politicians
catering to local influences, good or
tad It is the duty under the law oi
all the executive officers of the State,
counties and towns to enforce this
law and such officers are compelled
to take an 03th prescribed by your
honorable body to faithfully enforce
the law when they assume their of
ficial duties The Governor is au?
thorized to employ constables and
three State detectives whose special
duty it is enforce the law I have
employed on an average about fifty
constables during my term of office
and one State dectective and they
have been zealous and faithful in their
efforts to suppress the illicit traffic,
and I am satisfied and I am sure the
people of the State are at the results
obtained. During the past year fifty
-five regular commissioned constables
includin?; the two chief State consta
bles have been constantly employed
The State is divided into two divi?
sions known as the ''upper and the
lower.The upper division in
charge of Chief Fant and the lower
in charge of Chief Holley. The sal
aries and expenses including one
detective and the clerk in ray office
amounted to $47,726 Ol. Thirty-one
constables are assigned to the upper
and twenty-four to the lower division
The upper division ha? been much
harder to handle by reason of the
proximity of North Carolina and the
mountaiu distilleries. The amount
of whiskey and brandy seized in the
upper division for the past year was
3.345 gallons, niney barrels of beer,
8.076 gallons of cider and beer bot?
tles, twelve vehicles and sixteen
head of mules and horses, and ten
illicit distilleries were destroyed. In
the lower division there were seized
and confiscated 6,099 gallons of whis?
key, wine and brandy, thirtynine
barrels of beer, twenty two hundred
and fitfy five gallons of beer and
cider in kegs, three vehices*and four
head of mules and horses, one illicit
distillery was destroyed The resist?
ance to the law in the upper tier of
the counties adjoining the North
Carolina line and in the County of
Charleston has been most stubborn
In the remaining counties of the
State a healthy condition exists and
the citizens are almost unanious in
support of the law, and I am glad to
report that the law being better en?
forced throughout the Slate at large
I as is shown by the sales of the Dis
! pensarles and the number of con
! victions of illicit dealers in the State
and municipal courts
I The violations reported to my office
! show a large decrease and the daily
reports of the constables show a bet?
ter state of feeling throughout tbe
State at large. ? In the counties of
Oconee, Greenville and Chesterfield
difficulties have been had with traders
coming from North Carolina We
hav? been greatly embarrassed by
the decision of the United States
Court, which allows the importation
of whiskey for "personal" use. The
matter is now before the United
States Supreme Court, and if our po
8ition is sustained there will be little
trouble in putting an end to the il
licit traffic. One of the best evi?
dences of the decrease in the illicit
traffic is the decrease in the number
of licenses issued by the United
States Internal Revenue Department
For the year ending June 30th,
1896, there were issued to parties
outside of Dispensaries 315 licenses
and one wholesale li ense included
Of these 190 were token out in the
city of Charleston. For the same
period ending June 30th, 1895, 720
licenses were taken out. Of this
number 157 were taken out in the
city of Charleston, showing a decrease
of 405 in the State and an increase of
33 in the city of Charleston. For the
year ending June 30th, 1897, theie
have been issued so far to illicit deal?
ers 172 licenses, of which 125 were
taken out for Charleston, among them
four .wholesale licenses to dealers in
that city. The number of convictions
for violations of the Dispensary law
has increased from year to year, as
the following table by the Attorney
General shows:
In year 1893 no bills and discon?
tinued, 24: not guilty, 7; mistrial, 1;
guilty, 17; total, 48.
In year 1894 no bills and discon?
tinued, 107; not guilty, 3; mistrial, 0;
guilty, 2; total, 112
In year 1895 no bills and discon?
tinued, 65; not guilty, 21; mistrial, 0;
guilty, 55; total 141.
fi
?
In year 1896 no bills and discon?
tinued, 444; not guilty, 24; mistrial,
0; guilty, 159; total, 627
For the past year, of the 627 cases
reported, 231 were from the city of
Charleston.
METROPOLITAN POLICE.
The greatest problem that I have
had to meet since my connection with
the Dispensary law has been its
proper enforcement in the city of
Charleston. There are more friends
in this city to the law than an out?
sider who has had no dealings with
them would imagine, but it has come
to be a political and a social question
in that community, and a great num?
ber of its friends have not the temerity
to publicly uphold it. I realized that
to be politic in dealing with this ques?
tion meant to be false to the great
majority of the people of South Caro?
lina and untrue to those who had
elected me, and I determined upon
an aggressive policy towards this
city. The question narrowed itself
down simply to this: whether the il?
licit traffic and contempt of law and
order should prevail in Charleston and
be restrained in the rest of the State,
or whether I should support and en?
force the law with a 6trong hand,
giving equality to all men
Seeing the increased amount of il
licit sales of whiskey in this city, and
the contempt with which the officers
of the law were treated, and having
warned the mayor and city council re?
peatedly of my intention, to no avail,
the State Commission, consisting of
the Governor, the Secretary of State,
and the Comptroller General was
called together aod thoroughly re?
viewed the situation. They unani?
mously agreed that thft only course
left was to use every power for the
enforcement of this law placed in our
hands by the General Assembly, or to
?.abandon the city to the barkeeper and
the rumseller. We decided on the
former course. I expected, and so
did the other members of the Board,
to receive the condemnation of this
city, and of the enemies of the Dis?
pensary law throughout the State, but
I am determined to do my duty, and,
failing in that, to recommend to you
such legislation as I deemed neces
srry to meet the case. The metro?
politan police has proveda success
in every sense of the word, and I am
satisfied, if left to a vote of the hon?
est, Christian, law-abiding citizens of
Charleston, freed of political malice,
they would sustain it In the first
place, it is admitted by its enemies
that the chief of the force and the po?
lice are more efficient and have given
better service than any in the Listory
of the city. The policeman as a po?
litical ward heeler has been de
stroyed, and even Mr Barnwell,
chairman of the opposition, and a
bitter opponent of the law and the
police, in an interview in a city paper
after the last election stated that
Marshal Martin and his entire force
had acted with absolute impartiality,
and had performed their duty faith
fully "Praise from Sir Hubert is
praise indeed.'' The only objection
seems to be that the city has been
deprived of one feature of home rule,
and this has been the slogan in the
absence of any meritorious objection.
What is home rule? Does it mean
the absolute power of a municipaity
to abrogate and nullify the statute
laws of a sovereign State? Does it
mean thc submission of the lives and
homes of honest citizens to a govern?
ment of rnmsellers and illicit dealers
in whiskey? Does it mean the free
parade through the avenues of lawless
Italians with whiskey barrels wrapped
in the flag of the Union? If so, then
let this conception of Jefferson perish
in South Carolina Under the laws
of this State, police officers are State
officers Municipalities are formed
for the purpose of aiding the State
government in enforcing the laws of
the State. They are intended as
subordinate limbs of the gov?
ernment, and when they fail to per?
form their functions they should be
put under State control, or have their
charters repealed. It has been con?
tended that the police have been
taken from the control of the citizens
This is untrue. They are in the
hands of a commission of native
born Charlestonian8, whose interests
are linked with those of the city
They are under the control of a chief
who has enjoyed the confidence and
respect of the city, and they can?
not be otherwise under the law.
The report of the commissioners
has been made to me as Chairman of
the State Board, and I herewith
transmit it to you with the hope that
it will be printed, for this is the only
way that it can be done and laid
upon the desk of every member cf
the General Assembly.
The total drunks and disorderlies
have gradually decreased from 801 in
1890 to 277 in 1896 under metr?poli
tan police-a decrease of nearly 35
per cent.
During the pear 1896 there were
bound over by the Magistrates for
violations of the Dispensary law 231
cases. Their names and residences
are duly given in the report Of
this number 32 have been tried and
convicted and have paid into the
County Treasury ?5,250 in fines.
A better showing than this would
have been made but for the fact that
at the last term of the Court every
case was continued upon the affi?
davits of attorneys who claimed to
be sick and were seen upon the
streets the next day. The grand
jury found 24 additional true bills.
In 1895 not a conviction was had,
the grand jury refused in many cases
to find true bills It is a notable fact
that two of the city council who
were sworn to enforce this low, were
among the number indicted and
against whom true bills were found
There are o'ncr references to the
police.
The investment of the Sinking Fund
in State bonds is take? up and discuss?
ed at length. The difference as to the
construction of the law as to delin?
quent taxpayers is considered, and it is
stated that this will have to be settled
by the legislature.
On matter of phosphates, a balance
on royalties due by C C. Pinckuey, is
discussed, and says matters generally
can be left to phosphate board.
As to railroads, he makes the sbow
iog of the board and in relation to the
Charleston and Western Carolina road
says : "The evidence taken by the
Commission is on file in the office of
the Secretary of State, and [ respect?
fully suggest that it be printed for the
use of your honarable body. These
gentlemen (Thomas & Ryan) swear
positively and unequivocally that they
have no interest io any competing line
and have but one object, the develop?
ment of Port Royai and the successful
operation of their railroads. The com?
mission became convinced of the sin?
cerity and honesty of purpose of the
purchasers and could make no further
opposition to the confirmation of the
sale. If at any time, a different pur?
pose is revealed tbe State can iotervene
and again rescue the property.'7
He congratulates the State oo the
condition of the Hospital for the Insane.
Says the Peoitentiery is in better con?
dition but that salaries have not been
paid out of earnings and (bat the insti?
tution cac not. be said to be self sup?
porting until that is done. Suggests
thar longer term convicts be sent to
chaio gang, as ten year convicts can be
as well managed as two year convicts.
He ctmmends the militia to the care?
ful consideration of State.
He says the South Carolina College
is in a healthy aod prosperous condition
and says, "The usual appropriations are
asked for and I am sure will be cor?
dially made by your honorable body
He commends the Citadel to the ten?
der care and oonsideration of the mern
ber9 and 6ays it should not be dealt with?
in a niggardly way. There ba9 already
been too much economy regarding the
institution.
As to Clemson be is not enthusiastic,
and says if there is any failure to ful?
fill tbe expectations of the people, the
blame must rest where it belongs, upon
the shoulders of those charged with its
management. "The South Carolina
College, with no fitting school, almost
equals tbe attendance of Clemson, with
Clemson's standard not as high as the
South Carolioa College."
As to Winthrop be suggests that a
new dormitory be built by a division of
privilege tax money, which will not
burt Clemson. He says Winthrop is
doing finely.
As to colored college he says the
achievement has been wonderful.
Financial statements are appended.
Unpretentious Inauguration.
DENVER, COL., Jan. ll.-The most
simple and unpretentious inauguration
ceremooy io the history of Colorado
marked the inauguration of Governor
Adams at noon to-day Mr.
Adams walked over from bis
residence to the oath of office before
Chief Justice Hayt, then read bis ad?
dress before the assembled legislators,
and, returning to his office began the
duties of his new position. There was
no parade and the total cost cf the cel?
ebration was $3.50 for the printing of
tickets of admission to the capitol build?
ing. The governor in his inaugural
demands the most rigid economy in the
oonduct of State affairs.
A Cure from Lame Back.
"My daughter, wheo recovering from an
attack of fever, was a great sufferer from
pain io the back and hip?," writes Louden
Grover, of Sardi?, Ky. "After using quite
a number of remedies without any benefit
she tried one bottle of Chamberlain's Pain
Balm, and it bas (riven entire relief." Cham?
berlain's Pain Balm is also certain cure for
rheumatism. Sold by Dr". A. J. China.
Gold and Silver Papers for sale by H. G
Osteen & Co.
Highest cf ail in Leavening Pow
Is Tnere No Remedy?
The recent homicides fri our State
are enough to shock the most san?
guinary The atrocities perpetrated
by the negro, Simon Cooper are on a
par with the Turkish outrages.
While the other homicides were not
like the unexampled crime of that
man, they were enough to put us to
the blush. Along with the acts of
individuals, came the Orangeburg
lynching. And the week ended with
the killing of the mad-fiend Cooper.
it is an awful record for a country
claiming to be civilized. Nine homi?
cides in eight days, the first of the
New Year-and two of these by
lynching-one of them without any
excuse.
We are distressed for our country
It is in fearful condition and no
remedy seems in sight Few have
confidence in the law. Despite all
the hopeful inferences from the
figures reported by the Attorney
General, one fact cannot bc covered :
A homicide stands better chance of
escaping punishment than another
criminal. The figures show a lower
percentage of convictions here than in
other crimes. And conviction is not
always punishment.
The condemnation of the press
does not deter reckless men from do?
ing deeds of violence The record
of the press of our State is beyond
cavil in this matter. Apologists for
misdoers have been found in fewest
instances, and even where this seem?
ed to be, it was claimed that the
deed excused, had reasons palliating.
As the voice of the press has been
for law and order, and it has not
availed, no present remedy is there.
Perhaps, as it continues, a coming
generation may heed. But our con?
dition demands present relief.
The pulpit has spoken definitely in
places, and its general teaching
everywhere is against the defilement
of violence and man slayidg So far,
the warning of the pulpit has not
availed. It should continue to de?
clare God's law and in time it will be
heard. But to-day, the command?
ment is unheeded.
Can nothing be done ? We do
not know. But if no better plan be
offered, may it not help us if we
form and work, "Law and Order
Leagues ?" They accomplished
something in some places Perhaps
they may bring a temporary relief
until the slower, surer work of pulpit
and press can aid in forming a public
sentiment which will demand and
secure the punishment of homicides
and all other crimes-and make the
law a terror to evil doers. Let our
wise and true men consider and act.
Eumanity needs it. God demands
it-Christian Advocate.
, Tne Discovery Saved.His Life.
Mr. G. Caillouette, Dr
uo??i?"> Beaveraville
111., says: "To Dr. King's New Discovery I
owe my life. Was taken with La Grippe and
tried all the physicians for miles about, but of
no avail and was given up and told I could
not live. Having Dr. King's New. Discovery
in my store I sent for a bottle and began its
use and fra m the first dose began to get better,
and after using taree bottles was up and
abaut again. It is worth its weight in gold
We won't keep store or house without it'
Get free trial bottle at J. F. W. DeLorme's
Drug Store 2
Backlen's Arnica Salve.
The Beet Salve in the world for Cute, Bruises
Sores, Ulcers, Salt Rheum. Fever 8ores, Tetter
Chapped >.>>.'? Chilblains, Corns and all
S < n Eruptions, and positive!; cures Piles or
no pay required. It is guaranteed to give per?
fect 3ati3fiiction, or money refunded. Price
25cent8 per box. For 9ale by Dr. J. F. W.De
Lorme.
--.????.?.?>
Tbe Finest assortment of choice stationery
at H. G. Osteen and Co's, book store.
DISEASES OP THE SKIN.
The intense itching and smarting inci?
dent to eczema, tetter, salt-rheum, and other
diseases of the skin is instantly allayed by
applying Chamberlain's Eye and Skin
Ointment. Many very bad cases have been
permanently cured by it. It is equally
efficient for itching piles and a favorite rem?
edy for sore nipples; chapped hands, chil?
blains, frost bites, *nd chronic sore eyes.
For sale by druggists at 25 cents per box.
Try Dr. Cady's Condition Powders, they
are just what a horse needs when in bad condi?
tion. Tonic, blood purifier and vermifuge.
For sale io Sumter, by Dr. A J. Cb"**
Lamp shades when artistically made of
crepe tissue are things of beauty. If you
wact to make shades to beautify your homes,
H. G. Oste?n & Co. can supply the materials.
A large stock of crepe tissue in ten foot rolle
ust received.
Em PURE