The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1897-03-04
inc General Assembly.
DISPENSARy BILL GOES THROUGH HOUSE,
AN ADMINISTRATION MEASURE
TO MEET THE CRISIS
The Bill fs Vigorously Attacked on
Various GrOunds-Tbo Support
Given Is NOn-FactiOnal

called up in tho House, and alter the
dcfcat Of several amendments it was
passed to y third reading without any
change in its 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 liuuors. and in advance had received
the endorsement OF the Governor.
Mr.. Crum, of Barnwcll, proposed an
amendment by which dispensers could
give personal rs well as indemnity and
surety bonds.
MIR. Skinner favored the amendment.
Or. Wychc said no policy should be
adopted that would cndangcr tho
States fund. The board Of control
havo entire charge OF these matters.
Mr.. Crum said that 1T was wrong in
principle to have one or two men per-
haps keep Il man out OF office because
some enemy Of tho nominee mado II
complaint to the company.
MIR. Cushman, OF hikcn. asked
whether Mr.. Crum knew Of any county
losing moucy where officers were bond
ed by guarantee companies.
Mr.. Wychc said that therc had al
ready been TOO much talk about de-
iauiting dispensers and he certainly
troll have absolute power TO protect
tho State.
By Il vote OF 60 to - the House
agreed 10 MIR Crums amendment Civ
ing the right to give personal bonds.
Mr.. Mccullough, OF Grccnvillc, pro-
posed to add "Tl,ut said State board
Of control arc 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 tho cost
thereof 10 tho State does not exceed
the cost Of other liquors OF equal quail
ity or grade"
Mr.. Mccullough argued that the
amcndmnn mt would help the farmers
raising cCrn: it would create " l"git-
mate marEct, stop blind tigers and
assist socitt generally.
Mr.. T0Olb favored the amendment.
Mr.. Price, OF Orangebnrg, said he
WAS satisfied the people thOlght tic
dispcnsary is the nearest and most
practical route to prohibition, and
that was why they supported the dis
rCnsury law. lie ana his people did
not want to encourage distillcrics in
any way. by encouraging distii'crics
the State would give the dispnnsi.ry
supported because Of its prohibition
tendencies.
MIR. Garris said there WAS an ar
rangcmcnt now for the State board to
buy home made liquors. II the state
requires tho board to buy home made
liquor it will cover the State with dis
tillerics.
MIR. Patton said there was nothing
to require tho State board buying
from the home distllcrs.
Mr.. Garris said the bill was care
fully prepared by the Attorney Gen
cral, assisted by the Governor ant
pared y meet the recent decision 0
the United States Supreme Court.
MIR. Mccullough said the State boar.
would carry out tho plain purpose .
the law and the desire OF the Genera
Assembly.
Mr.. Mccullough said what he want
ed was an expression from the House
MIR. Goodwin said the State bourt
has promised to buy from the noun
tain uistiilcrs.
MIR. Garris moved to table Mr.. Me
CuilOugh's amendment and the amend
mcnt WAS lost by Il vote Of 80 TO 30.
Mr.. Thomas, Of Richland, wanted tc
look OUT for the beer privileges, ant
board OF control shall have the riHh
in their discretion to appoint spccia
beer dispensers under such rules an,
regulations as said board may cstal
lish, said special beer dispensers I
give bond in such sum as the Stat
board may prescribe, and the sal
board Of control may in their discr,
ttOn at any time revoke such appOin
mcntS.
The House had not concluded tn
consideration Of this amendment whc
the hour for taking Il recess arrived.
AT the night session Mr.. Thomi
took up his beer privilege amendmor
to the "otlicial' dlspensary bill. III
said it merely proposed carryin
out the present rules OF tho Stat
board. Tho members Of the board ar
satisfied this amendment should pre-
vail. No harm can como from such a
amendment, and 1T Is merely to carr
out the present Interpretation OF tn
law. TO encourage beer drinking
to discourage the strong drinks. Bt
sides, il increases the revenue. Th
State dispensary cannot handle beer Il
other liquor, and the sale can be bette
carried on by special dispensers. Tn
State board has absolute charge OF th'
privileges.
DR.. Ildcrton opposed tho amendment
The dispensers all sold beor 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 If the bill is
loaded down with amendments there
is no telling If the whole thing will
not bo nugAtory. There were now. he
urged, sufficient dispen aries. The
bill, he sad, was simply % meet the
recent decision, and there was no ncoG
to confuse matters.
MIR. Dukes said there were too many
amendments to the bill. He thought
he would rather drink whiskey, if
anything, and not the beer. The
was lost.
MIR. Patton moved to strike out the
onactiny words OF the bill, and said
that to oppose this bill was not to op.
pose tho dispensary law, for that Is
here to stay. 1t mas been said that
The b. 'ao prepared by tho Attorney
Iener with the assistance OF the
GOYer 4. NJ Governor or Attorney