The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-04-06
COUNTY DISPENSARY
AGAINST STATE
HOW 1T WORKS IN RALEIGH,
NORTH CAROLINA,
A Review of the County Dispensary
System AS Seen BY A South
Carolinian in a North Caro-
lima Town.

halelgh, N. u, March 3l.-TwO or
three months ago when number of
citizens of this town signed petition
requesting the board of aldermen to
call an election to decide how liquor
should be sold, mandamus proceedings
were filed AND final ruling was hand
ed down by the supreme court. There
was no election, the court holding
that while those who had signed the
petition were registered voters they
were not qualified voters, under the
Watts law, and no election was held.
II the people should vote tomorrow
the dispensary would remain, because
there is profit feature which touches
the pocketbook and the revenue to-
day is larger than in the good old
days Of the bar.
The Raleigh dispensary is fashion,
cd after the manner Of the South Car
olina system, but those of lis who have
due regard for the truth do not speak
Of it as a temperance measure. 1t is
not that. The main difference is that
it is local and not state institu-
ton, and the people can decide the
question as to how cocktails shall be
served, if at all. All incorporated
towns have right to kick the dis
pensary, prohibition or the saloons.
Raleigh, for instance, has kicked out
the latter, nobody is seriously agita-
ting the subject of prohibition, and
the dispensary seems to fill the bill.
That is true because of the big reve-
nue.. Still, as the citizens put it here
and keep it here the howl against it
is not like that in a neighboring state.
Now and then there are hints at graft
and all that sort Of thing, but dispen-
sary magnates don It travel around in
automobiles and blind the common
herd by the sudden flashing of dia-
monds in the sunlight. Probably a
dozen other towns have adopted the
same plan and next to property own
crs, who have watched the reduction
in the tax rate, the element most sat
isfied with it are the gentlemen who
supply the thirsty from hole in the
wall.
Why It Remains.
Last year the total receipts from
the sale of beer and liquor amounted
to $65,000 or thcreabout OF this
fund the city government receives
four-tenths, the road fund three
tenths and the school fund for the
county three-tenths. Raleigh last year
got $26,18l S3. When. the present
law went into effect twenty-threc bars
of high and low degree were driven
out Of business. Each paid license
Of 1925, $500. to the city, 5000 to the
county and $25 to the United States,
so it will be noted that the city rev.
cnue in saloon days was $4,000 less
than one-fourth Of the present reve-
nue.. Men familiar with local condi-
tons contend that with high license,
say $1,000 for the city, there would
not be over ten bars. so by any rule
of addition or multiplication there is
nothing to equal the dispcnsary mel
on. And that is why it will remain.
Moreover, the local tax rate has
been reduced 20 cents on the dollar
and the indications are that sales for
the first quarter Of 1906 are far above
those of last year. The city will get
$4,000 before the end Of the year if
the thirst keeps up.
Charges Not Sustained.
Last fall there was an investigation,
charges having been preferred against
the management, but they were not
sustained. 1t was shown, however,
that the establishment was filthy and
that the rates for case goods were OK
cessive, though the proceedings did
not shake the faith Of the property
owners, who have rejoiccd as the tax
rate was steadily reduced.
The place where the morally stunt
ed purchase their wet goods is on a
little street which runs from Fayette-
vile to Wilmington streets, just north
Of the public market. This town is
somewhat like Charleston in the lay
Of the thoroughfares, and the aispen-
sary location corresponds to the little
old Rialto on Market street where the