Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-01-17
WILL NOT DOWN.
Dispensary overshadowsr All Other
yr Legislative Questions. 80

However important all these meas
ures may be the fact Is that the dis
cussion Of them In the lobby, in COM
mittee rooms and wherever legislators
congregate Is overshadowed by the
dispensary question, writes Paul M.
Brice to the News and Courier Of
Monday. A stranger overhearing
groups Of statesmen talk might easily
imagine that the only question before
the senator's, all in all, 1t may be
said that opinion is in the formative
period-that is as to the several plans
proposed or that may be proposed-the
senatorial mind Is not made up as. TO
which It prefers. And, in this connec-
ton, 1t may be. said that there is
possibility Of nothing at all being
done, though at present that seems
highly improbable In view Of the gen.
eral sentiment that something ought
to be done. The first thing to be con-
sidered in connection with the dispen-
sary Is the Blease investigation reso-
luton, which has been set for discus
sion on Tuesday. 1t Is proposed to
appoint a joint committee consisting Of
two senators and three members Of
the house to do this investigating, and
the scope Of 1t Is shown by the follow
ing instructions, so to speak, contained
In the resolution, being presented
again as q reminder Of what Is intend
ed: ...
(a) Whether or not 1t is a fact that
houses represented by agents who are
near relatives Of the members Of the
board of directors receive large orders
at each purchase. rs-
(b) Is It a fact that members Of the
board of directors are, or have been,
a 70 foi In, sxryhn
from which large purchases are made?
(c) Is 1t fact that parties to whom
large orders are given are not whole
sale dealers but brokers, and that the
orders are filled by third persons, thus
making the state pay the commissions
Of the middle man?
(d) Was It necessary to purchase
the large quantity Of liquors ordered in
December, 1904. to fill demands, and
especially the new and fancy goods
purchased which is unknown to the
trade.
(e) Are the extraordinary heavy
purchases made necessary to the best
business interests Of the dispensary
system?
(f) What is the financial standing of
the business. and is it run on the best
principles for the interest Of the law
as originally passed and amended?
(g) Is 1t fact that the state, through
the dispensaries, Is violating the con-
stitution Of 1895, In that 1t Is selling
whisky in less quantities than one
half Of one pint?
(h) Is 1t a fact that the state Is
selling SIS In case goods to its custom
ers and charging them for one quart?
W Is 1t a fact that certain agents
are travelling over the state and offer
ing special inducements to county dis
pensers to push certain brands of IL
quors, and IL so, Is II fact known
to the members Of the state board of
directors?
Cd Is 1t a fact that certain require
ments Of the law are dispensed with
by the county dispensers by order of,
or by the consent of, the members Of
the state board Of directors?
(k) Has the whisky which has been
recently purchased been ordered out
from the dealer, or Is 1t held In re-
serve for future delivery?
O What Is the Indebtedness Of the
dispensary for liquors which have
been bought but not delivered?
1t seems quite likely now that the
senate will vote in favor Of the res
olution. but there has been made a
suggestion that the legislature should
elect the members Of the committees,
and thus make that body entirely and
In fact responsible for its personnel.
This was done, it is pointed out, In
the penitentiary investigation several
years ago, and the results that came
from 1t are matters Of history. There
have been many dispensary investi-
eating committees from which moth
ing came. and that Is. perhaps, one
reason for the suggestion, because 1t
Is hoped that a change Of plan may
bring about change in results. No
doubt the presiding officers would be
glad to be relieved Of the duty Of ap-
pointing the committee or Of being
responsible for 1t. AS to the other legis-
lation on the dispensary the bills have
been so recently introduced and their
terms printed that they are familiar
to the public.
Senator Raysor's bill carries out the
governors ideas as expressed in his
message, with the exception that the
state board Of directors are to be ap-
given a salary Of $1,000 and to meet
weekly. They will have general su-
pervision and appointment OF county
boards. two on the recommendation Of
county delegations and one on recon-
mendation of mayors. The purchas-
ing power Is taken from them and
given to the commissioner. who must
buy, after advertising, on orders sent
him by dispensers, approved by the
county boards.
Senator Brice's amendment to the
law, in general terms. requires an
election and the decision of the ma
jority of the qualified voters Of a
township or a city or a town before
a dispensary can be established, and
II the people vote against the estab-
lishment Of a dispensary then those
already existing within the town or
city are abolished. In short 1t is To-
cal option bill. pure and simple. as to
whether there shall or shall not be
dispensaries. The only other bill in
troduced on this subject In the legis-
lature was offered by Mr.. Toole Of AL
ken, in the house, whose measure
would eliminate from the present So
called Brice law the tax feature where
dispensaries are voted away. 1t Is
said that another bill Is In prepara-
ton which will amend that law so as
make the tax one quarter Of one mill,
instead Of one-half Of one mill. as now
provided for.