The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1899-09-13
DISPENSARY ROW.
Charges Made Against Commits
sioner Douthit and Mr.. Bryant,
REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS.
The Charges Thoroughly investi,
gated by the State Board of
Control. A Political Sen.
sation Developed.

The Columbia Record of last Wed
nesday says it had been reported fol
some days that something sensational
you'd develop as to the conduct of the
business Of the State Dispensary wher
the board Of control met. So when the
board met Wednesday the sensation
developed and a large portion of the
morning session was devoted to hearing
charges against Commissioner Douthit
and Superintendent Bryant. Charges
against Mr.. Douthit were preferred by
Shipping Clerk Black, while those
against the superintendent seems tc
have originated in general rumor.
When the board met Chairman Miles
stated that Irregularities as to shipping
goods from the dispensary and as to the
SAFE Of liquor to employees had been
reported to him. While these reports
were in the nature of rumors, he
thought they demanded an investiga,
ton.
Mr.. Williams suggested that the
parties against W hom charges had been
made be sent for Mr.. Miles then stat.
ed that the charges were that commits
sioner Douthit had shipped goods from
the dispensary which had not been en-
tered on the chipping clerks books. 1t
had also been reported that Mr.. Bryant
had also been selling employees whis.
key, which was contrary to the rules of
the board. Messrs. Douthit, Black aud
Bryant we're sent for and an investiga-
ton Of the charges was begun. Mr..
Miles made a statement Of the charges
to Mr.. Douthit and asked him what ex-
PLANTATION he had to make.
Shipping clerk Black stated that on
several occasions goods had been dump
ed in the building and hauled of, about
which he knew nothing. He mention
ed the seizure Of beer recently made in
'o!umbia as an instance. No record
sas given him of its receipt or of its
disposition.
On another occasion Mr.. Douthit in
structed workmen to put some beer in
Dispenser Bookman's buggy about
which there is no entry in his books.
He said that he always tried to do his
full duty, and that's why he reported
these Irregularities. He said that he
did not mean to make "charges" against
Mr.. Douthit but simply to state facts.
Another instance mentioned was the
shipment Of beer to Dispensers Kirk
land and Bookman last Friday, as to
which no report had been made to him.
He further stated that there we're other
instances where ne had refused to ship
out goods on verbal order or where
the order was not in the handwriting OF
the commissioner. His records could
not be complete unless all goods ship
ped were recorded on his books and he
desired to protect himself.
Mr.. Douthit being called upon to re-
ply said that month after the board
had passed resolution about shipping
out goods, he had brought up his petty
cash book and called to the attention Of
the board that it was ef,sier to keep
track of all contraband through it than
through the shipping clerks books.
The board in his judgment had acqul-
esced and thought his idea satisfactory.
He said there were times in the after
noon about $50 or thereabouts, after
the whistle had blown and Mr.. Black
was absent that somebody came along,
wanted jug of whiskey or something
else and he would sell it, afterwards
giving slip concerning the tronsaction
to Mr.. Black for entry on his books.
Generally speaking he had thus dispos-
ed of old hotel returned stock, which
dispensaries did not seem able to sell.
In connection with the resolution re-
fericd to by Mr.. Douthit, Mr.. Williams
remarked that he did not remember
whether formal resolution endorsing
the idea had been passed or not, but he
thought the board had acquiesced. Mr..
Hazelden stated that his recollection
was that no action whatever was taken.
Mr.. Bryant referring to beer seized
in Columbia last week said it arrived at
the dlspensary in dray and was cold.
1t was about 1.30 O'Clock and he knew
if the beer was stored it would be spoil
ed. He went with the wagon, walking
himself, and delivered It to Dispensers
Kirkland and Bookman. He got re-
ceipt for it. The next morning he de-
livered the receipts to Mr.. Black, who
refused to accept them, saying he knew
nothing about the beer, its quantity, or
anything else about it. He then laid
the receipts on Mr.. Douthit's desk:
Mr.. Douthit said he had found
them the next morning. Mr.. Boykin
asked Mr.. Bryant whether he had sent
out the goods. because as next in charge
after Douthis and Black be had the au-
thority so to do. The reply was that
lie supposed 50. He said Mr. Black
had gone to dinner at this time. Mr..
Boykin wanted to know from Mr.. Black
whether the receipts were not all right
and he replied that they might be, but
he had received no order to send out the
beer. Mr.. Williams said be could see
no objection to the acceptance Of the
receipts.
Mr.. Douthit was asked to explain
some further instances why goods were
not shipped out through Mr.. Black.
He referred in reply to a lot Of cider
which had been seized. He said it had
been stored in the dispensary and was
unstable He determined to try and
sell it and sent some of it to Dispenser
Kirkland. 1t was sold and the balance
was sent him. Bills were regularly
made out, but he simply forgot to tell
Bryant to report to Black. This may
have bacn somewhat irregular, but con-
ditions were such that he thought it
ought to be disposed Of if possible. No
was made by any dispenser
for it, hut he simply wanted to sell it
and save the State from loss.
Mr.. Haselden remarked thas lie
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