The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1893-06-10
SOUTH OARoLINA's LIQUOR LAW
Governor TIIlman Explains What 1t Is
and What Is Expected of 1t.


Governor Tllman was asked recently
by a Richmond Dispatch reporter to give
his views about the recent liquor law
passed by the South Carolina Legislature.
which has so revolutionized the LIQUOR
tra1tlc in the Palmetto State. "At this
tlme," said the Governor, whisky is
sold in the State under the license sys-
tenn only in incorporated towns The
prohibition element in South Carolina
has, with varying results, made several
nights III the municipal corporations bv
means OF what are called wet and dry
tickets, but there have from time to time
been strenuous efforts made to pass a
prohibition law for the whole State. and
prohibition actually exists in six coun-
ties. In other words, no saloons are
licensed, but whisky is brought to these
counties by express companies and rail-
roads, while druggists are allowed to sell
1t upon certificates from physicians, as is
The case IN other SO-caIled prohibition
communities, ear before last the House
OF Representatives passed strict prOhib-
ltlon pill, which was killed by the Senate
and the agitation resulting therefrom
caused the question of prohibition or no
| 'prohlbltlon' to be submitted at the Dem
ocratic primary last August. Prohibi-
/ ton prevailed by 10000 majority. but it
did not obtain d majority of the votes
cast, great many not having voted in
LAitAe IVA VI O1 bAC HllGSIIOl db all. w men
the Legislature met last December, how
ever, the house again passed a strict pro-
hlbition bill. This was amended in the
Senate by striking out the prohibitory
features and leaving the machinery which
had been provided TO enforce prohibition
as means of dispensing liquors. This
machinery Is very complex and string
ent. Provisions were incorporated in the
Dill looking somewhat to a monopoly by
the State Government of the whisky
traffic in the purpose of policing it.
Under the new iaw,' continued Gov
ernor TllIman, (which goes into elect
July 10Th, there will he no barroons in
the State. Whisky will be dispensed or
sold to consumers only by bonded oni-
GERS in the different counties in sealed
packages ranging from half pint to four
gallons. No package will be permitted
10 be opened on the premises. The only
requirement for any citizen to obtain
whisky or other stimulants is that he
shall sign an order or request stating the
amount or kind wanted. Liquor is not
TO be sold to minors or habituaI drunk
ards. Beer and wine are also included
under the provisions of the law. The
local officers obtain their liquors from a
State Commissioner, who purchases all the
liquors sold in the State and puts them
into sealed packages for distri button. All
OF the goods purchased must lie analyZed
by the state Chemist and their purity
guaranteed before sale. The maximum
profit allowed under the law is 81 per
cent. to the State and % per cent at the
LEGAL dispensary, one-half of which goes
into the County Treasury and the other
into the treasury of the municipality.
The local option remains, as it requires
a majority OF the freehold voters to Sign a
petition before a local dispenser can be
appointed"
Governor Tillman said that the liouor
dealers were, of course, opposed to the
law, as were also the more rapid prohibi-
tionlsts, but, notwithstanding this. the
measure will be a source of great revenue
to the State. In a few years it will re-
duce taxation just one-half and will 90
far toward paying the expenses for the
entire Government OF South Carolina.