The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1897-03-02
The General Assembly.
DTPENSARY BILL GOES THROUGH HOUSE
AN ADMINISTRATION MEASURE
TO MEET THE CRISIS.
The Bill is Vigorously Attacked on
Various Grounds-Tbe Support
Given is NOn-FactiOnal

The Bill is vigorously Attacked OF
Various Grounds-Tbe Suppor
Given is Non-Factional
The "official" dispensary bill was
called up in the House, and after the
defeat of several amendments 1t wa.
passed to q third reading without any
change in it's features. 1t Is not denied
that this measure Is intended to meet
the recent decision of the Supreme
Court with regard to the importation
OF liquors, and in advance had received
the endorsement of the Governor.
Mr.. Crum, OF Barnwoll, proposed an
amendment by which dispensers could
give personal as we'll as indemnity and
surety bonds.
Mr.. Skinner favored the amendment.
DR.. Wycne suid no policy should be
adopted that would endanger the
have entire charge of these matters.
Mr.. Crum said that 1t was wrong in
principle to have one or two men per-
haps keep man out OF office because
some enemy OF the nominee made q
complaint to the company.
Mr.. Oushman, of Aiken, asked
whether Mr.. Crum knew Of any county
losing money where officers were bond
ed by guarantee companies.
Mr.. Wyche said that there had al
ready been too much talk about de-
faulting dispensers aud he certainly
wanted to sec the State boerd OF con-
troll have absolute power to protect
the State.
BY vote Of 60 to "a the House
agreed to Mr.. Crum's amendment Civ
ing. the right to give personal bonds.
Mr.; Mccullough, of Greenville, pro-
OF control are hereby required in the
purchase Of liquors as herein provided
to purchase from the manufactures,
distilling or manufacturing liquors in
this State; provided, said liquors stand
the test herein provided and the cost
thereof to the State does not exceed
the cost of other liquors OF equal quail
tty or grade"
Mr.. Mccullough argued that the
amendment would help the farmers
mate market, stop blind tigers and
assist society generally.
Mr.. Toole favored the amendment.
Mr.. Price, OF Orangeburg, said he
was satisfied the people tho olght the
dispensary Is the nearest and most
practical route to prohibition, and
that was why they supported the dis
pensary law. He and his people did
not want to encourage distilleries in
the State would give the dispensary
its hardest blow, as the dispensary is
supported because of its prohibition
tendencies.
Mr.. Garris said there was an ar
rangement now for the State board to
buy homemade liquors. II the State
requires the board to buy homemade
liquor it will cover the State with dis
tilleries.
MIR. Patton said there was nothing
to require the State board buying
from the home distillers.
Mr.. Garris said the bill was care
fully prepared by the Attorney Gen.
eral, assisted by the Governor and
others, ard the bill was simply pre-
pared TO meet the recent decision of
the United States Supreme Court
Mr.. Mccullough said the State board
would carry out tho plain purpose of
the law and the desire OF the General
senbly.
Mr.. Mccullough said what he want
ed was an expression from the House.
Mr. Goodwin said the State board
has promised to buy from the noun
tain distillers.
Mr.. Garris moved to table Mr.. Nc
Cullough's amendment and the amend
ment was lost by vote OF 80 to 80.
Mr.. Thomas, OF Richland, wanted to
offered this amendment: The State
board OF control shall have the right
In their discretion to appoint special
beer dispensers under such rules and
regulations as said board may estab-
llsh, said special beer dispensers to
give bond in such sum as the State
board may prescribe, and tho said
board of control may in their discre-
tion at any time revoke such appoint
ments.
The House had not concluded the
consideration of this amendment when
the hour for taking q recess arrived
AT tho night session Mr.. Thomas
took up his beer privilege amendment
to tho official" dispensary bill. He
said 1t merely proposed carrying
out the present rules of the State
board. The members Of the board are
satisfied this amendment should pre-
vail. No harm can como from such an
amendment, and 1t is merely to carry
out the present Interpretation OF the
law. To encourage beer drinking Ia
to discourage the strong drinks. Be-
sides, 1t increases the revenue. The
State dlspensary cannot handle beer as
other liquor, and the sale can be better
carried on by special dispensers. The
State board has absolute charge OF the
privileges.
DIR. Ifderton opposed the amendment.
The dispensers all sold beer and he
saw no reason for special beer privi-
leges. This bill has been prepared by
the Attorney General, and he knew
what was wanted, and IL the bill ia
loaded down with amendments there
is no telling IL the whole thing will
not be nugatory. There were now, he
urged, sufficient dispensaries. The
bill, he said, Was simply to meet the
recent decision, and there was no need
to confuse matters.
Mr.. Dukes said there were too many
amendments to the bill. He thought
he would rather drink whiskey,. II
anything, and not the beer The
amendment was lost.
Mr.. Patton moved to strike out the
enactlng words &of the bill, and sale
chat to oppose this bill was not to op
pose the dispensary law, for that it
here 10 stsy.t3It has been said that
the bill was prepared by the Attorney
GenoFfb with the assistance OF the
Goveffpr. Ne Governor or Attorney
General hss right to say what thi
Legisleture shall do. When they un
dbdtAket 10 dictate Legislation they are
bey01d their prerogatives. Whom sucl
lIeomes from the Attorney Gen
a