The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-28

REVISED DISPENSARY LAW.
New Rules Governing South Carroll
mas whisky Monopoly.

Columbia S. c., Feb. 27.-The fact that
the chairman of the State Dispensary
Board of Control wore steel breast plate
when he went cunning for a political OPP
ponent several months ago, and the fur
Their fact that the commissioner sold a
confding people zone X" whisky marked
as three X" and at NIX prices, were
responsible for the unprecedented action
of the Legislature in kicking the old
board of five out of office, summarily,
and passing the new dispensary law just
signed by the Governor. If politics can
be eliminated, this law will greatly
strengthen the dispensary system in the
state. 1t is a considerable improvement on
other regulations heretofore attempted.
The new board of directors consists of
three members, with commissioner, who
receives a salary equal to that of the
Governor and gives surety bond for $75.-
coo. All are elected by the Legislature
To preclude bribery and bonuses from
liquor dealers to the commissioner and
board hereafter bids must be advertised
for each quarter in several daily papers
within and without the state. Such bids,
panv or firm making the bids, shall be
sent by express to the state treasurer,
who shall guard them carefully, deliver
ing unopened to the board of directors
when they gather in public meeting to
open the same. The bidders shall state
the quality, price and chemical analysis
of the liquor they propose to furnish
sending a sample of one-half pint of each
kind he proposes to furnish. If the liquor
supplied does not come up to the sample
the dealer shall forfeit not more than
the entire value of the liquor ordered from
him.
Contracts for supplying liquors by the
| quarter will be made with the lowest re-
| sponsible bidder. No purchases will be
| made from persons or firms who solicit
| orders by drummers, agents or samples.
| This provision is to exclude, as far as
| possible. temptation from the path of the
| heads of this mammoth concern.
The most important changes comes III
the manner of dividing profits. Under for
NAL laws the state dspensary charged the
county dispensary from 80 to 50 per cent.
profit on supplies, and fixed the prices
at which county dispensaries must sell.
The small profits of the county dispen-
saries were divided between the county
and town in which the dispensary was
located The states profits went into the
| general fund after the school fund in each
| county had been raised TO 50 per child out
Of these profits Counties having no dis
pensaries had, as a rule. the least taxes
for schools and derived the greatest ben
eft from the dispensary profits. The new
law provides that the counties shall be
charged but 10 per cent advance in price
This shall go to defraying expenses of
the state dispensary and any remainder
he turned into the general state fund
The profits of the county dispensaries viii
90 TO the county and town in which the
money is made and will double those for
here are no dispensaries will get moth
ing.
The governor shall report to the gen
eral assembly all his appointments OF
liquor constables. and each constable shall
give $500 bond to be approved by the AT
torney General. for the faithful perform
ance of his duty. 49,
Misleading labels put upon liquor WIZ
cause the offending official to forfeit his
position and suffer fine and imprison-
| ment.