The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1895-02-13
A Talk With dispenser Ervins

A Talk With dispenser Ervins
Say, look here! what's the trouble
with the dispensary?
Nothing, all's serene"
Have you read the Governor re
marks concerning dispensers, theli
shortages, bad bookkeeping, &c?
''Yes, read his remarks as pub
lished in the Register, and am much
surprised. can only speak for myself
and will say, positively, that they dc
not apply to me. I stand ready tc
6ay, as I have stood ready at any
moment, night or day, since l have
been dispenser at Manning. to turn
over to State, town, and county, ev'
cry dollar of money due, and to &C:
count for every package that should
be in stock. However, the Governor
realized that his remarks in this con.
nection were rather broad and
sweeping, and he has since qualified
them"
In your opinion, have dispensers
much opportunity to commit fraud
or embezZlement Of funds?
Precious little at best, and none
at all where dispensers give good
bonds and county boa DIS do their
duty. Our county 1oard, as now
constituted is composed Of +. G.
Thomas, ". E. Jenkinson, and G. r.
Fielder. Mr.. J. C. johnson, a former
member of the board, is now a resi-
dent of Beaufort county. The new
law makes the county supervisor e1
oficio member Of the DO" I'd, and
this accounts for Mr.. Felder's pres
ence on it. This is good board;
they are men who don't use entoxi-
cants in any shape; are conscien-
tious in their support of the law and
are anxious that as much good az is
possible shall result from its enforce
ment but are not so hide-bound as to
think that o strict conformance
Of the provisions will moralize
the State at once, but that it's good
effects and results will be gradual,
constant, and progressive. Ny bust
ness relations with the board so far
have been pleasant and agreeable.
They look sharply after the business
and show q disposition to hold me
down squarely to the provisions OF
the law. an glad Of this, otherwise
the continual pressure might induce
a iaxity on my part. So far l have
not exceeded my powers, nor been
lax in my duties, and consequently
there has been no friction between
the dispenser and county board" "
How often do you report?
1--WE make a monthly report and
quarterly report
How do you manage about taking
stock?
"a member Of the board is always
present, in fact takes stock himself
and examines the books
Does the amount in stock always
tally exactly with your books?
mo, there is more or less shortage,
which occurs in various ways; some
times during press OF business a
package is sold that We fail to get on
the application, and whilst we get
the money for it, yet, it will not ap-
pear On the book; then in checking
of the various sizes and denoLlina-
tions Of packages from the applica-
ton book to the day book now and
again package will be lost sight Of,
and thus in the course Of three months
during the rush in the Christmas
season, the number Of packages sold
and failing to appear on the books
will amount to considerable; in some
instances with me to as much as
sixty odd dollars. But then we must
have the money for them, and when
stock is taken bill Of the shortage
is also made and charged in the col
umn Of sales, and SO appear in the
next months report
Is the method OF bookkeeping
well, no, not with me; I have my
own method, which is simple,
out it is incessant and very
tedious. In addition to the monthly |
.eport we make a weekly report of
;ales for the week; this with check
% cover the States part of sales is
nailed every Monday morning to the
State commissioner. These several
'eports are exceedingly troublesome"
see by your last report that your
ales during the last quarter amount
% nearly six thousand dollars,
hink
"Yes, quite considerable
but you remember, that
his is the only dispensary in the
county,"
suppose you see much of human
nature here7
''Well, should say so.''
Have you ever had trouble with
bstreperous characters?
sNo, never. I endeavor to treat allI
With due courtesy and consideration,
White and black alike, and in conse-
uence l have received polite consid
ration in return. All who visit the
ispensary join in testifying that it
one of the quietest business places
! the town.
Are you allowed permanent
lerk?
NO, after March 1st will be with
ut help until business necessitates
; in the fall"
What class ofpeople buy the most
quor?
''Those who don't buy are in a wo-
III minority. All classes of people
NY liquor, more or less; but think
he negroes buy more than the
'hites, and strange to say, they are
Il, without exception, strong advo
ates OF the dispensary"
II you don't object I will publish
our remarks.
do so; every citizen and taxpayer
interested in this institution, and
lould be we'll informed as to its
orking."
So you think the Governor was
lther sweeping in his comments on
le dispensers.'
Entirely so.n
Have you discontinued buying
ottles? {
"Yes, received orders to discon-
nue. until further notice"
Were many bottles brought back
Y patrons?
''Ies, considerable; I paid out {
bout one hundred and seventy-tve G
ollars in six months for them. They I
use me much trouble. but think !