The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-09-13
RoIIEN 70 the CORE.
DAMAGING CHARGES AGAINST
@ STATE DIRECTOR B0YKIN.


nor From Local Dispensers-Sum-
ter Dispenser Windllam Had
Profitable Rake-off.
From the Daily Item, Sept. s
The tale Of graft among the dis
Aoensers, their clerks and other minor
Office holders was somewhat ex-
banded today, but little that was new
was brought to light. The rake of
derived by dispensers from empty
bottles and boxes was told and re-
told, and but for the conditions exist
ing In Cheraw. few facts of interese
were revealed. It is passing strange
why those high in Office are not
brought to the stand and made to ex-
plain where the big stealing is going
on. and leave alone, for a while at
least, the small fry who admit, with
out exception, having received extra
bottles in cases and trivial presents
from the houses from whom the
LIQUOR is purchased. It is true that ev-
cry investigation and the examination
of each witness generally throws some
small amount of light upon the dis
pensary situation; but, if The big bugs
were carefully and thoroughly inter-
rogated, it would soon appear useless
and a waste of time and money to
travel around the state investigating
local conditions. The conduct of the
system Is what the people Of the state
are endeayoring to get at, and in Or
sder to ascertain true conditions, those
who have the system in charge should
be required to render an account of
their stewardship. Perhaps the other
committees will perform their duty
as thoroughly as the Christensen-Ly-
on sub dispensary committee is dis
) charging theirs.
Mr.. II. r. Skinner, recently ap-
pointed dispenser ait Darlington, vas
called to the stand at 1905 o'clock,
and examined by Representative 1.
Fraser Lyon He testified as to the
manner in which the dispensary was
run by Gordon Wilkes, his predecessor
in Office, and whom he served as clerk
for two years. He knew that whis-
key was sold ia bottles containing less
than one half pint, and also that some
Of the liquor sold for quarts contain
ed only one-ffth of a gallon. He
named several brands. He said that
he had been the recipient Of some
presents, but that they had no in
huence upon him, and that they never
affected his orders. Wilkes received an
umbrella from Troeger & Co., suit
of clothes from Friedman, Kober &
Co. and extra bottles Of whiskey in
many Of the cases received at the as
..ensary. A letter was read from The
R,cniand Distillery Company offering
Wilkes for empty bottles Of their spe-
cial brands 80 cents per case fol
quarts, 80 cents for pints and s1.0C
for half pint bottles. Letters from
Cook-Bernneim Company and Blu,
thenthal & Bickert, stating that gifts
of LIQUOR were being sent were also
read. He is now makieg use of the
application blanks, and is observing
the law in regard thereto. Previously
he had omitted to do SO, he made ne
secret of it, and the State board could
have ascertained the fact upon mere
inquiry.
This is where a bit of interesting
testimony pertaining to the empty
bottle profits was presented to the
committee. Skinner told Of the ar
rangement of his dispensary, with
conveniently arranged enclosure i!
the rear Of the building which wa:
latticed in and had cork-screws at
tached to chains and device for pull
ing off crown corks III handy and close
proximity. On the back door wa:
tackled in a conspicuous place the fol
lowink sign:
Notice: Customers opening AM
drinking beer at this place must pu
empty bottles in this barrel or box
This, he admitted, proved one of tn,
chief means Of collecting bottles, ant
was very profitable, as the price pait
for the empties is 20 cents per dozen
This particular phase Of the bushes
grew to such an extent that tank 70
washing bottles was placed in the rea
of the building. Wilkes kept extra bot
ties found in cases on a table in hi