The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-01-18
GOVERNORS MESS lGE.
(CONTINUED FROM SECOND PAGE.)
through the hands of recti6ers and ma

through the hands of recti6ers and ma
nipulators, who are almost sure t.
adulterate it for the sake Of profit.
think that the law should provide
that purchases should be made, unde,
annual contracts, with parties whc
would agree to furnish liquors from
the bonded warehouses of the United
States, Of the required age and strength
upon the most reasonable terms. These
contracts should be let in such a way
as to preclude all possibility Of collu-
sion or fraud. If blended or rectifed
whiskeys are bought, as is now the
case, there is absolutely no safe test by
which adulseration can be shown. un-
less the liquor is so bad as not to be fit
to drink. These remarks apply TO the
K and Xxx whiskeys, or liquors of the
first quality, enumerating from the
lowest to the highest, and has been
the rule in the State. / do not believe
itis reputable, in the States business,
that there should be swarm of whis-
key drummers meeting at Columbia
once month to sell the required sup
ply Of driblcts. Arrangements should
be made under contract for the pur-
chase. as have indicated, and the
orders of additional supplies would
go forward with as much assurance Of
being honestly filled as if salt or bacon
were bought. The special brand and
wines required could be purchased in
the same way, and as these constitute
only small part of the business, no
change need be made in the present
modes Of buying them.
There is another matter that ap-
pears worthy Of mention. With the
experience gained by the employees in
bottling and packing and shipping of
liquors, there ought to be practically
no breakage, if the bottles were. Of
good quality, and the packing were
well done, for the cars are loaded
alongside the State dispensary build
ing, and there is hardly ever a trans
fer from one road to another. This
matter Of breakage has been the main
reason for continuing the county
boards of control. 1t can be readily
seen what saving would follow if
these boards were abolished, and it
can be safely asserted that the pre-
gention of breakage would make these
boards no longer necessary.
There is one other matter to which
invite the careful attention Of the
general assembly: it is with regard 80
the Importation Of whiskey for per-
sonal use. The protection given by
the supreme court to those who desire
to exercise this right in good faith is
in no sense Objectionable. The State
does not need, nor does it wish, to re-
strict It's citizens in this right, but
the abuse Of it gives loophole for
Illicit dealers to obtain their supplies.
under the pretense that it is for per-
sonal use. The provisions of the law
which was declared unconstitutional
in this respect 1 think can be amended
so as to make the importation of such
liquors come within the terms Of the
courts decree. But for the opportu-
nifty thus afforded to eyadc the law,
by importing liquor under the pre-
tense that it is for personal use, there
would soon be small need for con-
stables. I earnestly urge that the
judiciary committee consider the sub
ject carefully in the light of justice
Whites opinion, and see if some pro
vision forinspection can not be enacted,
that,while imposing no onerous burdens
on the citizens who imports for his own
use, will yet insure the importation Of
pure liquors, and limit, as far ;s pos
sible. the abuse OF this right for the
purposes of sale. Let the law define
fully and clearly the methods to be
followed in such eases. Ihavc already
pointed out how G may purchase, for
the dispensary liquors that arc pure;
some provisions requiring uvndcd
warehouse stamps on liquors consumed
in South Carolina, it seems to me,
would answer the purpose; but only
throw out the suggestion for what it
is worth, and call attention to the
subject because Of It's Importance.
[ cali attention to the report os the
adjutant and inspector general The
militia OF the State needs to be rcor-
ganized The present disorganized
condition is caused by d large number
of the State militia entering ,l" ser
vice Of the United States in obedience
to the presidents call FOX volunteers.
recommend 'hat al persons sell
Ing cotton secd meal ~ !ir State.