The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-03-11
State Rum Shops Must Be More
Strictly Operated.
The PATRONS SIGNING BLANKS.
Dispensers Can Thus Prevent In
diyiduals Buying Too Much
Booze at Short Intervals.

The law is being applied now a little
more strictly TO the dispensaries, as it
is to the blind tigers, and with fur
ther fastening of the screws, the dis
pensary system for the regulation of
the liquor traffic may yet be given a
fair trial in Charleston and the good
and bad effects of the law be made
more clear.
& few days ago the dispensers receiv-
ed notice that they should observe the
provision. relating to the signing Of
the blanks by all purhasers, a povision
Of the law which has not been enforced
IN Charleston, but short time after
the dispensary act went into effect,
the names Of ali purchasers and their
addresses, the quantity and character
Of the liquor must be entered in the
blanks, provided for the purpose. In
cases where the applicant can not sign
his name, then, the dispenser signs
the name and requires the applicant
to make ms cross next to the name.
The filing out of the blank serves
not only as check on the stock of
goods, but it makes it possible for the
dispensers to keep tab on the drink
ing propensisies of the patrons of the
official grog shops and turn down the
class of patrons who come within the
provision Of the law, prohibiting the
sale Of liquor to drunkards and min
ors and regulating the quantity to be
sold daily to one person.
& It is NOT known whether any of the
dispensers are observing the law ac-
cording to its strict letter, in the
matter of refusing to sell to persons,
Who are known to use liquor to ex-
cess, or to minors, or to those who
may want more than the quantity
permitted to be sold to one person
daily. The claim has been made
heretofore that.it was impossible to
get at these facts definitely, but now
that the records are kept, there is no
excuse FOR the dispensers violating
their oaths and the dispensary law.
a strict application Of the law in
the matter of sales TO one party or to
parties who are known to be buying
for the purpose Of reselling, would
shut OFF the supply of many blind
tigers who draw their liquors from
the dispsnsaries.
The dispensers take solemn oath,
reading as follows: CT - solemnly
swear or affirm that I will we'll and
truly perform all and singular the
conditions of the bond and keep and
perform the trusts confded in me to
purchase, keep and sell intoxicating
LIQUORS. I viii not sell or give, or
furnish to any person any intoxicting
LIQUORS, otherwise than is provided
in the bylaws and especially | will
not sell or furnish intoxicating Ii
auors to any minor, intoxicated per-
son, or persons who are in the habit
of becoming intoxicated, I" etc.
The practice has been in Charleston
to sell all the liquor possible, and
with an easy conscience, many of the
dispensers have passed the stuff over
the counters, without regard to the
provisions of the act or thought OF
their oath. Now with the stricter
application of the Law, in the way of
the entry of the names and addresses
Of the applicants and character OF the
order, it is possible for the dispensers
to make the act moral measure, as
far as it can be made SO, and it re-
mains to be see how the new regulation
will work.
The dispensers and clerks do not
take kindly to the blanks which they
are required now to fill out. They
base their objections on the time and
labor which the regulation requires,
especially at certain parts Of the day
when the rush of customers is on.-
Charleston Post.
Lieutenant H. Il. Ward, who has
been the flag officer of Rear Admiral
r-ouninosbieId has rendered his re-