The times., 1899-06-14
THE SOUTH CAROLINA
DISPENSARY SYSTEM
1t Is Discussed by Temper
ance Workers.
The Rev. Mr.. Pond CriticiSeS the
Revenue Feature.
a n CanfieId Describes the Plan of
a. n. Garfield Describes the Plan of
Serving Strong Drink In the
Palmetto State.

The "dispensary" system of control of
the liquor traffic, as practiced in South
Carolina, was discussed pro and con at
meeting OF the First Congregational Tenn
perance Society, which was held last night
in the east parlor OF the First Congrega-
tional Church. W. II. Pennell occupied
the chair, and the Rev. B. w. Pond was
secretary. large attendance of mem
bers was present.
A report relative to the subject was
made by A. n. Garfield. Chairman OF the
consisted of newspaper clippings and other
interesting matter.
The origin of the dispensary system, Mr.
Garfield said, was in Athens. Ga, in the
year 1890, and was inaugurated by the
faculty of the University OF Georgia to pre-
vent the sale of liquor TO the students.
The State had tried prohibition and the
license system and neither had proved sat
isfactory. The movement begun at Athens
spread widely. despite the opposition Of
the Prohibitionists and the liquor dealers.
1t was almost Immediately adopted in u
score OF other towns and counties In
Georgia, and subsequently, in practically
all its details, by the South Carolina Leg
islature The law was passed at the sug-
gestion of Governor Tillman in 1892.
The law provided for a State board oil
control of five members, holding Office for
five years, one of their number going out
of Office each year The board was to
purchase all liquors used in the State. At
its meeting on December 8, 1898, 1t bought
! ,21S barrels of liquor, not including wines,
beer, and other tight drinks. The agent OF
the board is the commissioner. He must
be an abstainer from all intoxicants,
resident of Columbia, the capital, and he
receives a salary of $1,000. payable from
the dispensary fund. Ii is his duty TO take
the liquors purchased by the board OF COZ
troll and to distribute them to the dis
pensers in each OF the thirty-three coun-
ties OF the State. Every package sent out
bears a certificate showing that it has
been purchased by the board of control
and analyzed by chemist of the South
Carolina College. Any contraband liquor
found in the State is seized and confiscated.
THE basic principles of the law, said
MIR. Garfield, are that only pure liquor
is to be sold, the dispenser Is to be PAID
stipulated salary. and the liquor is to
be given in sealed bottles, which are not
to be opened on the premises.
The sale to minors. intoxicated persons
and habitual drunkards is prohibited.
Liquor is not sold on Sunday. holidays, or
at night II a dispenser disregards the
warning of a member of family not TO
sell to another, his bondsman is fined S2OO
for each offence A dispensary can be
closed by the State board. One-fourth of
the voters in towns and cities may petit
ticn for a dispensary, then an election Is
| ordered, and on majority vote for dis
pensary the county board may establish
one.
The State board Of control appoints
| county boards of control, consisting OF
three persons. and holding office Tor two
years, the members of which cannot main
! tain a restaurant or place of amusement
They must be abstaners from intoxicants.
The dispenser, being carefully watched,
| is almost unable to violate rule, and
he is removable at any time. All the
profits of the county dispensary are di-
vided. one half to the town, and the other
| half to the State.
Under the law of South Carolina a place
where liquor is sold without the protection
| of the law is a common nuisance and may
be speedily disposed Of. Any officer may
seize them person who handles con-
| traband liquor at night may be sent to
prison for twelve months.
The substitution of dispensaries for sa-
looms has eradicated lettering about the
premises, and treating, and the glamour
has been entirely obliterated. \ dispen-
sary is the most dismal place in South
! Carolina. 1t is surrounded by high fence
! in which there is a small opening for en-
| trance. Mr.. Garfield concluded by exhibit
ing the different certificates required by
| law in labelling.
Mr.. Pond objected to the dispensary
| system as a source of revenue TO the
State.