The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-01-10

loT tue year CHUNG uHS
so, 1899. ....""S o,9lo,3o3'o4
total. EXPENSES.
Maintenance of way and
structures, equipment, con-
Quoting transportation,
general expenses. ........... 5,S3I, ,246. 81
Taxes ................... ......... 3S3,7I6.:37
Income. Observation-Disclosures. 2,7o1, ,43o.44
Increase i'll gross earnings
over 1895 of.............. ......S o27,o53.oo
Gross earning per mile"...:.. 3,377'43
Operating expenses per mile. 2'357.9o
Net income per mile IS99-... 1,o23'3o
Net income per mile IS9o.... oo7.o7
Increase per mile. .............. 215.T
THE DIsPENSARY.
There is no question that will engage
your attention at this session that WILL
demand more careful thought and IN
which there is more interest manifest
ed than that OF the control OF hquor.
You will no doubt have several propo-
sitions presented to you by dltferent
members of your body for your consld-
GRAFTON. 1t is, important that you
should take hold ofSthe question IN a
positive and direct manner and meet
the issue squarely. Under the Constl-
tuition of the State there are only three
modes allowed for dealing with this
question. "The General Assembly
may license persons or corporations TO
manufacture and sell and retail alco-
holic liquors or beverages within the
Statc:" "or the General Assembly may
prohibit the manufacture and sale and
retail OF alcoholic liquors and beverages
within the State;" Or it may autnorlze
and empower State, county ana NUM-
cipal officers, all or either, under the
authority and in the name OF the State,
70 buy in any market and retail within
the State liquors and beverages IN such
packages and quantities, snnder such
rules and regulations, as 1t deems ex'
pedient." And in no case shall 1t be
sold in less quantities than one-hali
Fpint or betWeenssun-down and sunrise.
and it shall nptsbe drunk on the preml
ses, Neithsfcansthe General Assem-
bly, "delegate oany municipal corpora
tiol the power to issue licenses u
sell the same" Under the last alter
native the Dispensary Law is in force
At the present time and in view o
the era of material progress and de
ESelopnent5 upon which, the State hal
Eentered I do not believe it would be
wise or good business Judgment to refer
this question to g. popular election
Not that there is any uneasiness or nm
willingness to trust the people, bu
1 1t would have tendency to rene"
strifes and bitterness and engender bac
feeling and l believe would retard the
progress of the State in its material de
||yeldpment. Much of the prejudice
that has heretofore existed against the
Law has been broken dowr
and many of its most bitter opponents
have come to realize its good features
and are ready and willing and anxiou:
to see it improved and enforced. With
certain amendments which seem neces
sary, and which will commend them
selves to your good judgment, anc
which should be made at the presen
session, and with the proper enforce
ment of the law, it is the best soAaSior
of the liquor questionTsyet ds&aed
Even those who oppose the nispen
Law admiG that it shas good textures
Whiskey has been put under the 5bar
and whether you prohibits it, license it
or take entire charge ofit, the princi
pie is the same. lItseems;to me that i
would be good judgmentto take hole
of the.present law and amend and i'm
prove j.. Prohibition is very nice il
theory but in existing circumstance
and conditions I do not believe it would
be practicable. Extraordinary ma
chinery would be necessary to enforce
it and there would be no means with
which to employ the machinery eXcep
by additional taxation, and even ther
whiskey would be freely sold and bar
rooms under the guise of drug Stores
would spring up and flourish in every
town and hamlet in South Carolina
Such has been the experience where
ever prohibition has been tried. Locs
option would be egen S@orse than pro
hibition. To havesprohibition in one
county, license system in an adjoin
ing county, aud the dispensary ir
another. would create no end OF con
fusion and trouble throughout the
State.
No law has been enacted in this State
in recent years that has been as bitter,
ly opposed and as strongly supported as
the Dispensary Law. And yet, with
the exception of d few localities, it has
been as well enforced as could be ex.
pccted, being revolutionary as it was
No law can be thoroughly enforced that
has not BEHIND it and to support it a
healthy public sentiment in its favor.
Now that public sentiment is growing
i'm its favor it seems to me that il
would be unwise and bad judgment to
repeal the Dispensary Law and to make
trial of some other system of controlling
the liquor business.
That there has been bad management
in some departments is not an argu-
mcnt against the system. That there
should have been disagreement and
contention amongst those in control is
unfortunate. - -
Iwoud recommend for your eonsid-
Grafton the abolition of the State and
County Boards of Controlx xandthat the
dnties Of these officers be dSyoEe ednpon
other. officials. You should Neleet a
State Commissio1eEof Km 6harscter
ast4oea husinesg 5ndga and give
him sufficient c6mp Ito com
mand the 5cryicespf suck aSla ID, { II e
should bc given more autaaTiy sand
discretion and required togi& .ss good
and sufficient bond and be snb fsef 30
removal by the Governors AS the
present law stands he has very little
discretionary power in the manage