The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-05-13
A Sharp Eye on Dispensers.

COLUMBIA, May D.-The State board OF
control has established a rule that was
expected for some time past. All county
dispensers have been required by the 1st
Of fully to give 3 bond of $4,000 in 6 guar
antee company. The bonds Of individ-
uals are no longer to be accepted. For
the protection of the county dispensers
all clerks are to be required to give bonds
in guarantee companies for $1,000. The
board, it Is announced, has been given TO
understand that there are guarantee com-
panies that will accept the responsibility
of issuing bonds for the d~ispensary OIL
cials, It is now known that there are
surety companies that will not accept
the risks On the dispensers. They have
no objection to the dispensers, but argue
that it is not good business to accept the
risks on political officers who have not
shown their business capacity, but who
are elected on account Of political prefer
ences. 1t may be an easy matter for the
dispensers 20 ge: these surety bonds, but
it is stated that one or " companies
have already declined to issue such bonds.
There are, however, plenty OF companies
that issue these bonds that may be en-.
tirely solvent, but it may be we'll for the
Sta,e board TO see that there are no wild
cat'' companies after the business.
It is stated that the rate for bonds Is
from one-half of l per cent. to l IL per
cent. and that the average rate is l per
cent. This would make the rate for dis
pensers $50 for an annual bond, while the
clerks will have TO pay $40 for their bonds
if accepted.
1t will be noted from the following ex-
tract from the law that the dispensers are
not only responsible for shortages. but
are also responsible for damages in suits
against them for violations of the dispen-
sary law:
"rhe appointment shall be made only
on condition that the applicant shall ex-
ecute TO the County treasurer a bond in
penal sum $1,000, with good and sufficient
security, conditions: That he will and
truly obey the laws of the State Of South
Carolina, now or hereafter in force, in re-
lation to the sale of Intoxicating liquors;
that he will pay all fines, penalties, dam
ages and costs that may be assessed or re-
corded against him for violation Of such
laws during the term for which said ap-
pointment was made, and will not sell
intoxicating liquors at a price other than
fixed by the State board Of control. Said
bond shall be for the use Of the State and
county or any person or persons who may
be damaged or injured by reason of any
violations or the part of the oblignr OF The
law relating to intoxicating liquors pur-
chased or sold during the term for which
said appointment is made. The said
bond shall be deposited with the county
treasurer and suit thereon shall be
brought at any time by the solicitor or
any person for whose benefit the same is
given; and in case the conditions thereof,
or any of them, shall be violated, the
principal or securities thereon shall also
be Jointly and severally liable for civil
damages, costs aud judgments that may
be obtained against the principal in any
civil action brought by wife, child, pa
rent. guardian, employee, or other per-
soma under the provision of the law. All
other moneys collected for breaches of
such bond shall be distributed as other
funds arising from the ~dispenssry, said
bond shall be approved as other officials
bonds for the county,"
1t is very probable that the guarantee
company that assumes to write the bonds
for the dispensers of the State will require
that they be given access to the bouks of
the dispensers so that they might know
how things are going. All OF the guaran
WOO WILL Low taCiA 1--WE ihSPSSV'4o
who see how things are going on with
those they have on their books.
Chairman Willie Jones says that any
accepted company writing a bond for
dispensaries can get IN order from him
authorizing its special inspectors to ex.
anime dispensers books and accounts at
any time in the pursuance of their busi-
ness.
Governor Evans appeared before the
board yesterday to urge that the clerks
should be required to give bonds as 1t
was only fair TO the dispensers, as they
were under bond for their clerks, who
have charge at times.
II is understood that the State board
has put its foot down on the sale of bot
tied beer by those having beer privileges
in less than pint quantities. The beer
privilege, up to this time, has included
the right to sell bottled beer in half pint
bottles, but the board thought that it
would be best to require the sale to be
In quantities of not less than pints.
The State Board has not yet decided to
make any changes in the prices of liquor
sold through the 6ispenssries.-Ne1cS and
Courier.