The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-04-08
DISPENSARY AND SALOONS.
Az Much Spent for Liquor now as Ever
Before.
Columbia Re0ister.

has been cut down IN TINS state ana
by the new Constitution made impos-
sible in the future was the worst up to
that time that we thought could i'm
agine. This tree, though planted and
guarded by Satan, grew and Aourished
under the protecting nurture of the
State. Although the barkeeper had
to be a MAI of good moral character
and was forbidden under severe pen
alties of the law from selling to minors
or drunkards, or on the Sabbath day,
yet he was allowed by law and under
its protection to sell hat which de-
stroyed the people. The barkeepers
did all that the law protected them in
doing and then violated with impunity
every provision Of the law intended to
~restric the evils Of the business. Why?
Because the State and municipalities
gained a revenue to their treasures,
though it was at a hundred times the
cost to the people these governments
were supposed to protect. Money was
Just what was wanted and no laws re-
stricting the sales were or could sin
cerely be intended to limit the business.
The more saloons, the greater the
revenue to the State and city govern
ment.
But the time came when the people
by a majority Of ten thousand declared
for simon pure prohibition. This had
the effect of cutting down the old bar
room tree. In its stead, however,
there sprang up a young upas tree Of
just the same death dealing character
as the one which preceded. One great
difference is that this tree known as
the Dispensary is the sole property of
the State, planted, nourished and pro-
teeted by the State herself. Now, what
about it's fruits B.? Why, just examine
them and see. This tree started about
three years ago with only M shoot.
1t now has nearly one hundred branches,
whose deadly shade extends over all
the State only excepting, perhaps. two
counties. From each branch during
the last year a food of Intoxicating IL
quors, a%ggregating near ten million
bottles full of the fiery poison, has
poured down the threats of drunkards:
and costing in money owe n million
dollars, nearly all of which vas sent
out of the State. Besides the money
cost direct, was the consequent loss, OF
time, corruption of morals, thousands
of homes reduced to beggary, misery
untold, and crimes innumerable. For
a young tree this is rapid progress.
What it will be in three more years,
who can tell -?
Murder, suicide and other crimes Of
every kind just as truly follow the al
cohol dispensed by the State over
their counter (for it is the same devil
in solution) as the liquors sold over
the old saloon counters. 1t is true
the barkeepers violated the law and
sold to minors, d%runkards, and to
everyone else they could. But just
the same result is obtained by the
sales made by the State. No one can
suppose that a million dollars Of liquors
sold last year went only down the
throats of the sober people, and that
none of the numerous arrests for
drunkenness lover two hundred and
fifty having been made in Columbia
last year, was caused from Dispensary
liquors. It is true the Dispenser
takes a solemn oath which reads as
follows .
I, , do solemnly swear Tor
afirm) that I will well and truly per-
form all and singular the condition of
the within bond, and keep and perform
the trusts confded in me to purchase,
keep and sell intoxicating liquors. [
will not sell, give or furnish to any
person any intoxicating liquors other
wise than is provided by law, and
especially, I will not sell or furnish
intoxicating liquors to any minor, in
toxicated person or persons who are
in the habit of becoming intoxicated,
&c.
But when we hear how this solemn
obligation is disregarded we are ap-
palled at the corrupting fruit of the
dispensary tree.
The barkeeper took no such oath of
Office and it is not surprising that for
the greed of gain he would be needless
of any measure restricting the amount
of his business. But the Dispenser
solemnly obligates himself under pen
atty of the consequences of perjury,
&C., ito keep and perform the trusts
confided in him." especially not to
sell Intoxicating liquors to any minor,
intoxicated person or persons in the
habit Of getting intoxicated.
If the restrictive features of the old
saloon laws were not sincerely meant
to limit the liquor business, and this
we believe for reason given, neither
can the restrictions thrown around the
Dispensary system greatly limit this
business, as just the same motive pre-
walls in both, namely, to make money.
So long then as the radii of the States
visions is circumscribed by the al
mighty dollar 40 long may it be ex-
pected the officials to disregard the
restrictive features of the law and
violate their oaths. Is it likely that
the State will any sooner enforce a
law against n of the faithful officials
in making money for her, though at
the expense of his oath, than would
the old saloon keeper against one of
his own clerks in pushing the bust
ness contrary to law?
Each Dispenser is required at the
end of each month also to subscribe to
the following oath saying: II have
faithfully observed and complied with
the provisions of my bond and oath
taken by me-" How any one can con-
scientiously and continually take these
oaths when he knows the real policy
underlying the States liquor traffic is
beyond comprehension. That official
d~ebauchery and will be if it has not
already been added to a public para
lyzed conscience is certain. Is this
fruit of sufficient value to justify a
good government to engage in such a
business :? taking with her own hands
the million dollars, the results of her
own peoples hard labor, and sending
it abroad for liquors that bring in re-
turn only poverty, ruin and such like?
Is the sample of this business which
T e. IT,