The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-07-01

l
South Carolina Liquor Law.
To-day the Evans Dispensary law
will go into effect In South Carolina,
and the whole country will be anx-
iously awaiting to hear the results Of
it, 1t is new and radical departure
from all the laws passed yet with any
intention OF curblng the liquor traffic.
The Intention Of the law was TO head
of the Prohibitlonists who had carried |
the State on popular vote and had
put prohibitory law through one
branch OF the legislature. The real
motive in passing such a law is not
definitely known, but no matter for
that, Its enforcement will lead to total
prohibition In number OF tho coun-
ties of the State.
Under this law the Governor is re.
quired to appoint q State Commits
sioner. at a salary of 1880, who must
be total abstainer, anu this commits
sioner is to purchase all the liquor
used In the State. Besides, "dispen-
SER is to be appointed in overy coun.
~. who alone shall sell nil the liquor
required in that county. The city OF
Charleston is to have ten dispensers
and the city Of Columbia three. These
dispensers must purchase their
liquors from the State Commissioners,
who shall charge them not more than
Dfty per cent. above cost price.
All liquors must he tested and de.
eiared TO be pure by tho State chemist
and all liquors shipped to the dlspen.
Commissioners certificate. II they do
not they will DO liable to coniiscation.
tho railroads shipping them will be
liable to fine of $500 and the persons
handling them will be liable to fine
OF s5e0 and imprisonment for not less
than year. Liquors must he trans
ported and sold in packages OF not
more than five gallons nor less than
one pint and purchasers are not al.
lowed to open package on the prem
nises Of the dispenser.
Dispensers before they are appoint
ed must make oath that they have
never been convicted OF ony violation
OF the liquor laws, and that they do
not keep a drug store, restaurant. sa-
loon or place OF amusement, and that
they are not in the habit of using in
toxlcatlng liquors as beverage. The
dispenser Is to swear that he will not
cell to any person he does not know
personally nor to any minor nor habit
ual drunkard. Purchasers are re-
CURED to present written or printed
requests in which are recorded their
names, ages, residences, the quantity
and kind OF liquor desired and the
names OF persons for whose use it is
desired. 5.....
Any person not dispenser, who
sells or assists III selling liquors, il
liable to fine OF 6 100 to $500 and Il
imprisonment for from ninety days tc
one year. The profits OF the county
dispensaries are to be divided equally
between the county and municipa
treasures. Is is difflcdlt to see how
this law can fail to promote total alb,
Btlnence. In some countries 1t will be
90 difficult to get liquor that 1t viii
discourage those who would otherwise
drink. On the other hand In some
counties 1t will be difficult for a per,
son who wishes to be dispen 4
to obtain the necessary petitions, ai
the signars OF such patitions must do
clare that they are we'll and personal
ly acquainted with the applicant. Ii
such counties, therefore. no liquo
will be sold. But, like all other Ilquo
laws everything depends upon hoy
strictly the law Is enforced.
Unless extraordinary precaution
ere taken, private liquor shops wi
spring up. and as they will have n
license to pay the result will be FIRE
rum and an Increase In drinking. T.
eounteract this, however, the State OF
flcisls declare they Intend to entorc
the law strictly and literally. II sue
should turn out to be the case, the la
will be one Of the most interesting oil
ject lessons In the problem of drln
- even tried In this country. II 1t SUI
oeeds 1t will no doubt be tried in
Rumber OF other States, and it wi
sither be an absolute success or
beat failure.
Nine State of South Carolina has a
Eeady laid in 100000 worth of lIguo
kspon which the profit to the State wi
D s150, on0.
Il is possible that the northern state
where the anti.liquor sentiment hi
prevailed, the strongest may yet hal
70 &c to the south to learn impor tai
p lessons on prohibition.