The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-15
THE DISPENSARY IN SOUTH
CAROLINA.


One of the wisest men in public life
in North Carolina sends the following re-
mort made to the Governor of South
Carolina OF the workings of the dispen-
sary system in that State with request
that it he printed in these columns. 1t
is as follows:
1--WE have the honor to submit here
with a statement Of the business done
by the State and County Disrensarjes
during the fiscal year ending November
30th, 1902.
"By reference to the several state
ments hereto attached you will note that
the total cost for the year, Of liquors,
beer. wines etc, has amounted to ST.
664 $40. n, and the total sales exclusive
of fresh beer) have been SO, 4O5, 213.5O.
1.-THE net earnings for account of the
school fund for the first year, which
have been placed to it's credit, have
amounted 20 $685. 99.57.
The net profits that have accrued to,
and have been equally divided between
the counties and towns have been $i43,-
1876. We have paid from our assets
into the school fund one semi annual
payment of $50, 900 90, and will, within
two weeks, pay $50,000,000 more, looking
to a reduction of the school FUND, as
required by Act Of the General Assembly,
approved February 26th, 1902. In addi-
ton to that, we have paid the quarterly
earnings as they have accrued in favor
of the school fund for the nine months
since this Act because effective, which have
amounted to 1872, 1851. making the total
Payments for the school fund for the
! year amount to s142 1855 81. Add to this
the amounts paid the towns and coun-
ties we find that our grand total of pay
ments for the year for public purposes
amounts to $38595i61
you will note that the total net earn
| ngs of the State and county dispensa-
ries for the several funds above men-
toned amount to $3.50, $685.. The Act ap-
proved February 26, 1902 requires us to
reduce the school fund to SI00 10000 by
the first of January next. and IL
"school fund is interpreted to mean
stock in hand" we have to report that
this requirement is impossible OF accom-
plishment if we are expected to meet
the public demand for the various kinds
of liquors, beer. and wines, etc. Since
| monopoly of the sale of liquors. we have
felt it our duty to try as nearly as is
consistent with good business principles,
to supply every legitimate demand for
| the popular brands Of liquors, and If we
keep in stock a reasonable supply Of
each kind, it necessarily involves the
investment of a large amount OF money.
You can readily see that If We do not
maintain our stock, these brands requir
ed by consumers and not furnished by
I us, will be imported from abroad for per-
sonal use, or by blind tigers.
1--WE have now in county dispensares
alone a stock of $406, 1866, which is not
| excessive for this season OF tho year.
We have real estate, fixtures. c'".. at
| the State Dispensary in Columbia. which
| cost s59.117.12, and if this amount is de-
Quoted from the maximum amount allow
cd by the Act referred to, our total stock
Of merchandise and supplies would be
only s340. $50. SS, which would be S65,312.17
less than is now in the local dispensaries'
and nothing in the State Dispensary from
which to supply the county dispensaries'
It is therefore our opinion that tho State
cannot maintain the dispensary system
upon a working capital of only $780,
10000.
I'm conclusion we are glad to be able
to report that, judging from all infor-
nation coming to us, the dispensary sys
tenn has largely increased in popularity
as being the best solution Of the sale OF
| intoxicating liquors"