The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1905-08-25

had q detective who watched the son.
stables and who reported to me alone
whether or not they were in collision
with blind tigers. 1 had another
detective who watched the dispensers
to see whether they we're complying
strictly with the law and regulations.
Whiskey drum mers banging around
the hotels In Columbia to get o chance
to sell whiskey we're unknown and the
agents Of whiskey concerns travelling
over the State and getting in close
touch with the local dispensers for
the purboso Of %corruptipg them were
also unknown, and che condition of
affairs disclosed by the Spartanburg
investigation was simply an impossi.
bility.
What are some Of the temptations
which seem to have been too great for
the State board Of directors to reslstp
Purchasing whiskey as 1t has been
done left opportunity for colluslop;
this man or that on the board receiv.
Ing money as compensation for pur-
chasing from a given concern. The
State commissioner subjected to the
temptation OF sending out the case
goods OF this or that firm in prefer
ence to those ordered by the dispens.
ers. The opportunity for graft, the
poo phrase now in vogue, was I'M.
mense. The original scheme adopted,
as | say hastily, depended for the in.
tegrity OF Its administration upon the
high character and honor Of the
States highest officials. But when
we Iecollect that, as 1t is now admin.
istered and has been for six or eight
years, through the breakage charges,
leakage charges, watering the liquor
In the local dfSpensaries because Of
bottles not properly sealed, changing
labels, buying places as dispenser, the
opportunity for stealing at the dis.
pensary In not sending out all the
liquor bought, but shipping 1t Of, it
IS q wonder we have not had q worse
carnival Of corruption than seems to
exist.
l do not doubt after the exposure
in S~partanburg others will equal If not
eclipse it elsewhere. l coulu go moro
into detail and discuss this phase OF
the subject more at length, but l
prefer to point out the remedies which
have suggested themselves to my
nind and which in the future L feel
sure will be adopted and be the
Of reforming the dispensary system
and making 1T we'll nigh impc ssiblc
for any one any where to steal any OF
the public money or be corrupted b.
the temptations which have been s.
plentiful heretofore.
We will take the State d%lspensary
first. L believe the administration of
this law should DO in the hands of men
elected by the people, the same as the
other laws are. l believe and always
have thought that q board OK oricio,
composed Of the Governor, ATTORNEY
General and Comptroller General, to
be the best that can be devised. Now
to prevent even these high officers
from being subjected to temptation
vi laying themselves open to charges
or corruption, such as my enemies
have not hcsitated to bring against
me, ! suggest the following plan. Let
advertisement be made, as now re
qnired by law for bids to be submitted
10 furnish the State Of South Carolina
for a year with such whiskey, brandy,
rum, wine and beer as 1t may r. Qlire
Let the Act so into details and speci,
tically describe the kind and quality
needed. Whiskey and beer are the
two main things, and these two are
staple articles and r be described
With such detiniteness and particular.
ity that there will be slight need even
of An analysis by the chemist. Let
these bids be submitted in triplicate
sealed With d One sent to the
state treasurer, accompanied by a
check for $40, 600 as evidence OF good
faith, one sent to the Chief Justice OF
the Supreme Court and one sent to
the Speaker OF the House of Repre-.
sentatives. Have these opened during
the session OF the Legislature In the
presence of the ~diSpensary committee
or the two houses, and award the
contract to the lowest bidder. Then
let the State board enter into IL with
such lowest bidder, requiring the con.
tractor TO deposit for the fu,G!ment OF
his obligation 500, 900 in South Car.
Ina State bonds, or such Mount as
may be thought necessary, which
ahall be subject to forfeit if he DOES
not comply strictly with all the terms
and conditions Of his agreement.
The contract being thus made for
the purchase Of WhiSkey Of a given
kind and quality at a given price, the
State commissioner who win have
charge or the business part OF the dis.
peosary can order cut from the dis.
hillcry at such time and in such .ouan.
Ilties as may be necessary the liquors
needed to supply the demand Of the
local dispensers. Have the bottles and
other supplies that may be needed
purchased in a similar hammer to the
Whiskey, all OF these being paid for by
cash checks on the treasurer. Let the
State commissioner take out a recti-
iler'S license and have the liquor bot.
Cled after dumping and mixing when
desired, and this must be under the
immediate supervision and inspection
or a United States revenue officer,
whose books will be q check as to lilo
quantity that will thus enter into the
consumption. Let the dispensers books
and the internal revenue collectors
books be Inspected quarterly by such
person as the State board may appoint
Tor that purpose, to see that the quail.
ity OF the goods contracted for and the
goods delivered correspond, and that
all The goods purchased have been sent
out from the State dispensary or other.
wl8e accounted for. The Legislature,
through It's committee, q examine
into and report at each session upon
The whole management.