The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1900-01-11

and the Colored College at Orangeburg
will all submit to you through the
heads of these institutions detailed
statements Of their condition and needs.
and these deserve your careful atten-
tion. You should be as economical IN
the expenditure Of money as is consist
ent with the efficient conduct OF these
institutions. but to withhold more than
is necessary for their proper main.
tenance would not be wise economy. !
feel sure they will not ask for eXtraVa-
CANT or unnecessary appropriations, and
/. therefore. confidently commend 10
you a careful study CT their needs and
demands as set forth in the reports
that will be submitted to you.
RAILROADS.
The twenty-frst annual report CT the
State Railroad Commission will be
laid before you. 1t is gratifying to note
that the general condition Of the rail-
read business Of the State is prosper
Gus. Railroads properly conducted are
public benefactors. They are in one
sense citizens and large taxpayers tG
the State. 1t should be gratifying tc
every citizen OF the State to know tnat
the business of all railroads the past
year has been good. for it indicates
that there has been activity in every
line CT industry.
THE DISPENSARY.
There is no question that will en-
gage your attention at this session that
will demand more careful thought and
in which there is more Interest mani
tested than that of the control of liquor.
You viii TO doubt have several propo
sitions presented to you by different
members of your body for your consid-
Grafton. It. is important that you should
take hc'" &C the question in positive
and dire manner and meet the issue
squarely. Under the Constitution Of the
State there are only three modes al
lowed for dealing with this question.
The General Assembly may license
persons or corporations to manufacture
and sell and retail alcoholic liquors or
beverages within the State. for the Gem
eral Assembly may prohibit the manu-
facture and sale and retail Of alcoholic
liquors and beverages within the
State" or it may authorize and en-
power State, county, and municipal Off
GERS, all or either, under the authority
and in the name OF the State. to buy
in any market and retail within the
State liquors and beverages in such
packages and quantities. under such
rules and regulations as it deems aX-
pedient." And in no case shall it be sold
in less quantities than one-half pint or
between Sun-lcwn and sunrise. and it
shall not bc drunk on the premises.Nei-
ther can the General Assembly dele
gate to any municipal corporation the
power to issue lincenseS TO sell the
same" Under the last alternative the
Dispensary Law is in force At the pres
'ent time and in view OF the era Of ma
terial progress and development upon
which the State has entered. | do not
believe il would be wise or good busi-
ness Judgment to refer this question to
a popular election Not that there is any
uneasiness or unwillingneSS 70 trust
the peoDle but il would have tenden-
cy to renew Strifes and bitterness ana
engender bad feeling and | blieve
would retard the progress OF the State
in it's material developmnt. 1t seems to
me that ii would be good Judgment 20
take held o. the present law and amend
and improve il. Prohibition is very nice
in theory. but in existing circumstances
and conditions do net believe il would
be practicable. Local option would be
even worse than prohibition. To have
prohibition in one county, a license
system in an adjoining county, and the
dispensary in another. would create 10
end o. confusion and trouble through
out the State.
would recommend for your consid-
Grafton the abolition Of the State and
County Boards OF Control and that the
duties of these officers be devolved
upon other officials. You should elect
a State Commissioner o. high charac-
ter and good business judgment, and
give him sufficient compensation to
command the services Of such man.
He should be given more authority and
discretion. and required to give good
and sufficient bond and be subject 70
removal by the Governor. AS an ad-
visary board to the State Commissioner
would suggest the Comptroller Cen
eral. the State Treasurer and the State
superintendent OF Education. with such
powers and duties as in your wisdom,
you may tHIHf piopeL " 'oilei upoh
them.
In place OF the County Boards
would suggest that the County Super.
visor. the County Auditor. and the
Mayor of the county seat town. if
dispensary De located there. If not the
Mayor or Intendant o. some town in
the county in which there IS a diSpen-
Sary. constitute the County Beard. and
thai they serve without extra compen-