The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-07-21
Trying TO Find Out
What the Term s'Original
Package" Means.

1tfn Z 10 Als1tSs :" Of S1Os
The absorbing issue still seems to
be s What is an original package %
About the only light that has been
thrown on the subject is contained in
the statement given the press few
days ago by Attorney General Bar
Der, but as yet there is no way for
man contemplating entering the busi-
ness Of selling original packages to
tell what 10 do in order to come with
IN the pale Of Judge Simonton's de-
cisions aud be safe from mo'astataon
BY the constables The State has
gone so far as to hold that separate
packages Of liquor cannot be shipped
ia car packed in straw and be con-
sidered original packages, but must
come each bottle in a case ad dressed
10 Che consignee. If a box contain
ing bottles Of liquors comes then the
box must not be broken Ga all
sides arrests Of persons who are open
ing original package stores are beng
made, and the result is that In the
absence Of the text of the governors 8
instrnctions to his constables, many
who hsve been contemplating enter
inr the business are holding back
waiting to see if Judge Simonton-
viii not soon say what he means by
an original package in exact terms
Tae object in holding back the IN
strnetions to the coastabnlafy is said
10 be 10 frighten OF as many would
be dealers as possible The State IS.
ID no wise ankions, it is said, to have
tbe term specifically defined
Yesterday another original package
store vas closed up, making the
fourth in the last three days This
one was 10 Greenville The exact
cause is not known in This case
In Columbia Mr.. w B Msetz pro
poses to open his place on Saturday
morning at the same time the dis.
pensaries open His liquor will
come put up in bottles packed in
pssteboard boxes. He has bad the
half pint packages he proposes 60 use
measured to see that they hold halt
pint. He does not propose to break
The packages he receives. but will
sell them 10 the original form He is
advised that such packages are origi-
nal packages in the eyes of the law,
and proposes to test the matter IL the
courss Immediately if the constables
make any attempt to interfere He
has employed ex Solicitor P II Mel
sson TO represent bin in any proceed
ings that may follow the opening CT
his store The others in the city
who desire TO enter the original pack
age business will combine with Mr.
Meetze 10 secure an immediate an
.swerao the question as to whas con-
ystitutea an Original package
Ii is said that the Florence and
Chester parties already arrested have
been to Charleston to see Judge 81
monton, but could not find him mas
much as he is now at his summer
home at Fiat Rock. N C.
Already an original package beer
place is in operation in Columbia and
no effort has been made to intertere:
It is being run by E E. Carts & Go.
at $50 Gervais street Mr. Curtis is
acting as agent for the Georgia Brew
ing company aud is selling beer in
crates of Two dozen each. He does
not break the original crate He
sells at $3.50 crate at 6rss, bat
parties continuing to purchase from
him can secure the crates at 81 SO
each
From all over the State come re
ports of the opening of original pack
age stores and they are just begin
ning to open so far In few days,
no doubt, they will be springiag up
on every side and soon their name
will be legion. Then the State dis
pensary will begin to experience the
effects Of competition No matter
waat answer. is given as to what con
stitates an original package il is very
certain that at least until January the
dispensary system will have to meet
very sharp competition all over the
State, for the packages will be solo
in one form or another. No doubt
the State will endeavor to make it as
troublesome as possible for those en-
barking in the business in opposition
to The State, but it is doubted if this
will kill out the competition
A prominent official yesterday re-
marked that it looked to him that the
general assembly at it's next session
would have to pass prohibition law
In his opinion that world be the only
way to settle the issue He appear
ed to have no confidence in the fu-