The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1905-01-19
cept South Carolina.

cept South Carolina.
He also suggests a mild compulsory
school law, urging the necessity OF
giving proper training to the children
OF every community.
COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE
COMMERCE AND IMMIGRATION.
1t is with a great deal OF pleasure
that | commend to your careful con-
sideration the full and admirable report
of the Commissioner af Agriculture,
Commerce and immigration. This re-
port shows, beyond any question, the
urgent need for such department.
South Carolina, by the establishment
of this department. has become the
pioneer Southern State in developing
its agricultural! and commercial re-
sources by means of immigration from
other States, and from abroad, and this
fact has already won for US widespread
recognition. Though this department
was only established at your last ses-
sion, and our efficient Commissioner
qualified just nine months ago. the re-
port of Commissioner Watson will
show valuable and far-reching results
already accomplished. 1t is difficult to
begin a work of this nature; to Off
cially organize State immigration De-
partment in an arduous task: especially
so when the State is beyond the lines
along which the immigration move
men has been progressing.
STATE MILITIA.
Your attention is invited to the re-
80 Il t,,to q nA
Lieut.-Col. Ezra B. Fuller. Of the
United States Army. which contain
valuable facts for your consideration in
reference to the State Militia. Upon my
request, Colonel Fuller was detailed by
the War Department to report for duty.
to act in cooperation with the Adju-
tant. General in promoting the effici-
ency of our State troops. The services
of this officer have been most valuable.
and the military branch Of our Govern
ment has been materially aided by his
work.
DISPENSARY.
Last year l purposely refrained from
making any recommendations in refer
ence to the Dispensary. My reason for
this was that had no: then had suffi-
c!ent time to familiarize myself with
the practical workings Of the system. |
have since had greater opportunity to
study some of the more important de-
tails regarding the management Of this
institution, and for this reason l beg
to submit, for your consideration,
changes which / am constrained to
think will be Improvements.
To properly regulate and control the
sale of liquor has always been a qIes-
ton most difficult Of solution. Theories
upon this subject, whenever and wher-
ever tested, always become difficult
problems when their practical enforce
rent as laws, or regulations, are at
tempted. No liquor law has ever yet
been devised, which, in its general op-
Grafton, has given entire satisfaction.
South Carolina Is the first and only
State that has attempted to solve this
rroblem under such State control as
is included in our present Dispensary
Law. In spite Of the fact that this law
has many strong points which COM
mend it, most notably among them
being, in my opinion, the fact that 1t
has decreased drunkenness, 1t Is also
true that, like other laws, it has its i'm
rerfections. am convinced that If this
system can be properly regulated. 1t
will be one of the best solutions OF the
l;quor question. If not properly man
aged and controlled, its usefulness will
be at an end. The commentators
which l shall make will be submitted
with a view solely to improve the sys-
tenn. AMI to place all available legal
restraints around the sale and use OF
liquors.
The purpose of the Dispensary should
be, not to increase, but to cnrtail and
control, the sale Of liquor, and this pur-
pose should always be kept in view. AS
q. business institution, it should be
placed as far as possible above criti-
cism. and its restrictive regulations
should be rigidly enforced. The man
agement of the Dispensary has always
been the subject of more or less crlti-
cism. During the past few months this
criticism has been made frequently, and
with the greatest freedom. 1t is neces-
sary that the system should be made
Is business-like as possible, and to this
important end shall principally direct
my recommendations.
STATE COMMlSSIONER.
The State commissioner should, in
my Judgment, be the officer whose du-
ty it should be, to purchase all supplies
for the Dispensary. He should be re-
quired to make contracts. not for any
specified amount Of liquor, but for
such supplies as may be actually re-
quired, such requirements to be de-
termined by the Commissioner. based,
as far as passible, upon orders re-
ceived by him from dispensers, ap-
proved by the County Boards and filed
with him thirty days before the ad-
vertisement for bids by that officer.
REMOVAL OF DISPENSARIES.
At your last session there was en-
acted law giving to counties which
desire prohibition the right by ma
jcrity vote to close their dispensaries,
and upon the taxable property OF all
counties so voting it was required
that there be levied an annual tax
of one-half OF one mill. this tax to be
expended by the Governo: in enforcing
the law, should the local authorities