The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-07-29
PIPED TO GROG.
Secretary McAdoo Has a
Funny Experience in the
DispensarY State.
MISTAKEN FOR A DETECTIVE
Incidents of His Tour of lnspec-
ton of the Naval
Militia.
MISTAKEN FOR A DETECTIVE

WASHINGTON, July 20. 1S95.-Assist-
ant Secretary McAdoo had many inter
esting and amusing experiences during
his recent inspection Of the naval militia
service in the various States. some of
which he relates in his most humorous
style. One of the features of his tour
was his personal encounter with the
"Dispensary liquor law in Charleston.
South Carolina. Leaving the Dispatch
boat Dolphin at Fort Monroe, he jour-
neyed to Charleston by rail. accompanied
by Lieutenant Niblack. of the Navy, who
is in charge of the naval militia division
of the Navy Department. The State
authorities not having "a any prepar-
ations for the reception of the official
visitors. the Assistant Secretary and his
aide proceeded to select their own ac-
commodations for their brief stay in
Charleston. The principal hotel there
had closed for the summer season, so Mr..
McAdoo and Lieutenant Niblack selected
a modest looking public house-there are
no restaurants there now while the dis
pensary law is in operation-for their
resting place. 1t happened to be located
Immediately adjoining one of the State
dispensary establishments. 1t may nave
been keen discrimination on the part of
the inspection party. or it may AVE
been by the merest chance.
However, Nj. McAdoo was not mind
full of the existence of the dispensary
law, WHICH prohibits the sale Of liquor
p~ensaries. While Seated at the table
of the cafe, which had a barroom equip
ment, If not stocked with the liquids
Adoo concluded he would pipe all hands
to- grog." He summoned the landlord,
wine. He was promptly informed THAT thas
under the laws of the State no liquors
Of any kin were on sale except at the
Assistant Secretary s1sa Of u the Nav 9n that hat
he was on the soil of the famous Ben
Tiliman. tine author Of the South Caro-
una liquor law. His throat was full
Niblack was equally warm and decided
~ dry, so they concluded they would APP
peal to e thsir host IN the name of the
an exception in their case. The landlord
looked several times as II he was about
to relent,, but he eyed them more curl
couple of '"Tillman spies" looking for
violations of the ,dispensary. law.
Finding the landlord unwilling to yield,
Mr.. McAdoo inquired how he should pro-
coed in order to negotiate with the agent
of the dispensary next door. The neces-
sary Instructions We're given him and the
1SGtS ~ L NlHO q AZ OIltG
opened up ~pleadings before the bar of
the state dispensary. The agent was very
accommodating when he was informed
who his visitors were, and he added that
the landlord might have made an excep-
ton in their behalf had he been so dis
that fellow has more liquor on his
premises han / have in the dispensary.
The fact is he took you gentlemen for
state spies"
STUDIED THE LIQUOR Law.
Mr.. McAdoo at once caught the humor
of the situation. and proceeded to alb
sorb considerable information bearing
upon the peculiar liquor law of the State
of South Carolina. His private account
book will show that he did not patronize
the d~ispensary very literally, for the
reason that the brand of Mould refresh
ment dispensed was not sufficiently
tempting, despite the throat full of Gin
ders.
Mr.. McAdoo relates the incident with
more embellishments and facetious COM
ment, with characteristic limitations of
the parties to the scene. He had man.
other 1aughable experiences in connec-
tons with his visit to Charleston. which
sequently joined by representatives of
the state government, who, in addition
to assisting him in the inspection of the
naval militia, also enlightened him on
the political situation in the land of TIL
man.
The naval militia of South Carolina is
composed of three companies. The men
est in the service, considering the few
advantages they have to practice and
become familiar with the requirements
of the service. An ex-nava officer will
probably be invited to assist in instruct
ing the South Carolin.ans in the art OF
1910 ura ~ NO