Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-28
DEFECTS IN SYSTEM
OPERATIONS OF THE SOUTH CARO-
LIMA DIsPENsARY Law.
Representative Scarborough Thinks It
is Regarded Too Much as Source
of Raising Revenue.

The recent local discussion of the dis
pensary system of liquor selling gives in
terest to the recommendation to the South
Carolina legislature, which is now in ses-
sion. by Governor Hayward, in his annual
message, to take into consideration some
amendments to the dispensary law. Gov
ernor Hayward spoke plainly about the
open violation Of the law in Charleston.
the principal city of the state saying that
it appeared to be impossible to enforce the
law. The people of the city, he said, were
not in sympathy with it, and convictions
could not be secured, no matter how much
testimony was produced.
The annual report Of the dispensary sys-
tenn shows that during the year 1904 the
system made a greater amount of money
for the state and counties than ever be-
fore known. The profits to the state, which
were turned over to the public school fund.
were nearly 100000, besides the division
between counties and towns OF sun
pensary cleared not far from half MIL
lion dollars above all expenses.
Mr.. Scarborough's View.
The question of changes in the law is
such an important one that South Caro-
lima senators and representatives are ex-
ceedingly careful about what they say.
Representative Scarborough, however was
more outspoken than any of the others.
To a representative of The Star he said:
From financial standpoint the olspeh-
sary system has been a success. In some
sections drunkenness mas peen oeerease e
In others it has increased. Instead OF US
ing the dspensary law to minimize the con,
sumption of liquor, the state board OF CON
troll from the enactment OF TINS law u
date has been too ready to open d1spensa-
ries. A mere suggestion on the part of a
community has been sufficient to secure
the establishment of state rum snQp. Ii
that way, instead of being enforced as
moral institution, which was the claim
made for 1t by it's founders. 1T has been
used as a measure for the raising OF reVe-
nue. The system has had reasonaoly iail
trial in the state. The bitter opposltlon
which it had to face in the beginning mas
ceased 1t has had ample opportunities to
impress it's merits upon the people, ana, on
the other hand, the people have had ample
opportunity to decide whether 1t Is the
hest system under which liquor can be
sold.
Sentiment Against the System.
II believe the sentiment of large ma
ioritv of the people of South Carolina to-
day Is against the dispensary system. They
look upon it as huge political machine
and the public has long been disposed to
question the motives of those VINO aspire
to position under this system.
II believe that some features of the dis
pensary law are admirable. Personally, 1
would prefer prohibition, but no sumptuafy
legislation can be enforced unless 1t is back
ed by the moral sentiment of the people.
Unfortunately for us, l fear, We have not
reached the place where the moral senti-
ment upon this question is sufficiently
acute to secure an honest enforcement of
prohibition laws. In my judgment. the best
solution of the situation is local option,
with high license under the provisions Of
our state constitution, only freeholders to
be allowed to vote on the question. Under
this plan liquor would be sold in original
packages and the saloons kept open only
between sunrise and sunset All the prac-
tically beneficial features of the dispensary
law would be preserved and each commu-
nifty would be allowed to determine for
itself whether liquor be. sold or not. Much
might be said as to the advantages of the
latter over the dispensary system, but l
have no desire to enter further upon the
discussion of this question"