The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-02-02
WHAT IS 4 DISPENSARY?

As steps are being taken to have a
liquor dispensary established in Scot
land Neck, we deem it our duty to set
aeIore the people what dispensary is.
We do it without comment here, SIM
ply giving the main features OF the
dlspensary law for the town OF Louis
burg, enacted by the general Assembly
OF North Carolina, and ratified OH the
9th day of March, 1897.
The act is too long to admit full
publication, SO we give only the main
features.
1t controls the sale OF spirituous,
malt, vinous, fermented, brewed
or other liquors; and prescrlbes that
the same shall be regulated BY board
consisting of the mayor Of the town,
the chairman OF the board OF county
commissioners and the clerk of the
superior court. This board of three
appoints three persons of the township
in which the dispensary is located,
who are known as dispensary commits
sioners. Said dispensary commits
sioners establish a dispensary pur-
chase the necessary stock OF pure
liquors to supply the demand for
same; elect from the citizens OF the
township one Or more persons to be
known as manager or managers OF the
dispensary, who shall have charge OF
it under the direction of the dispensary
commissioners. Said manager or
managers are employed to sell liquors
for the dlspensary in quantities not
less than one half pint nor more than
four gallons, all liquors being put up
In sealed packages and none broken
by the manager or managers. The
dispensary is kept open only in the
daytime, is closed on Sundays, election
days, and on any other days the dis
pensary commissioners deem desirable.
The manager or managers are paid
a salary for selling liquors and man.
aging the dispensary generally, and
the salary in no way depends on the
amount of liquors sold. The man.
ayers are not allowed to sell liquor 1T
all to any minor or intoxicated person );
and no package large or small is al
lowed to be opened III the dispensary
where it is sold; and no person or per-
sons are allowed to loiter or lounge
about the dispensary. ALI officers and
managers must be known to be per-
sons not addicted to the use of intox-
icatlng liquors as beverage; and the
manager Or managers who sell it must
state On oath that he Or they have
never been adjudged guilty Of violating
The law IN relation to Intoxicating
liquors All regulations for the dis
1,ensary ere made by the dispensary
commissioners, and the manager who
sells tie liquors gives a bond with
cood sureties of not less than $500 for
the proper performance Of his duties.
Sad manager makes weekly report
on every Monday of the business done
the week preceding, and makes monthly
report also. The profits after all ex-
penses are paid go one-tourth to the
county treasurer to be applied 10 the
school fund, three elghths to the town
treasurer to be applied as the board OF
town commissioners may direct and
the other three eighths to the county
treasurer to be used as the county
commissioners may direct.
The county and the town furnish
the money to establish the dispensary
which is repaid from the first profits.
The dispensary board fixes all prices of
the liquors sold but are not allowed to
make a profit at any time of more
than 50 per cent. over the cost. The
liquors are all to be pure and of
brands for reputation for purity and
must be tested by chemist as often
AS the dispensary commissioners desire.
Such are the general features of the
dispensary law which was passed for
Louisburg, March 6, 1897, and in force
in that town since July 1, 1897, as
provided by the act.