Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-01-19
TILLMAN FEELS CONFIDENT.
Father of Dispensary Says Local Self
Government Will Be Abolished.
Columbia Record

Government Will Be Abolished.
Columbia Record:
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16.-It has been
learned here that Senator Tillman had
several important conferences when in
Columbia with the supporters Of the
dispensary in the legislature and that
when he left them 1t was with a
mighty good understanding that bill
will be agreed upon by the dispensary
people and pushed at the present ses-
sion. The bill will seek to remedy de-
fects Of the existing law, the especial
object being to place the leading off,
GERS of the institution beyond the
temptations Of corruption.
Your correspondent is in position to
state that the main features Of the
proposed bill will be these:
1. The purchase Of rye, corn and
bourbon under yearly contract, bids to
be advertised for and opened during the
sessions Of the legislature, the state to
buy everything from the lowest bidder.
2. No bid will be received from any
firm that has not put up with the
treasurer of the state certified check
for large sum as an evidence Of good
faith. The firm receiving the bid to be
required to put up with the state treas
urer per cent of the gross sales OF
the state dispensary for the previous
year. This will be guarantee Of faith
full and honest performance Of con-
tract.
3. The state to get the whisky di-
rect from the bonded warehouses Of
the government, before there has been
mixing or blending and when the pro-
duct is as pure as the government can
guarantee 1t.
4. The state to do its own blending
and mixing, thereby guaranteeing an
absolutely pure article, there being no
chance for doctoring, unless the off,
cials of the state do so themselves,
which would be made punishable by a
heavy sentence.
5. Every bid, and Senator Tillman
is understood to regard this as about
the most important feature, to be sub
mitted in triplicate, one bid going to
the governor, another to the speaker
of the house and a third to the treas
urer, these officials to hold the bids
until the day Of their opening, when
all are to be presented at once. In
the opinion Of Senator Tillman this
would absolutely prevent collusion and
the altering Of bids, as the law would
provide that all bids received should
remain sealed until opened at a GER
tain time and in certain office.
Senator Tillman believes that the
only way collusion would be possible
would be for the dispensary officials
to connive with the bidders to deliver
poorer grade Of proof whisky, but
this could be avoided because the spe-
cifications would call for goods Of a
certain proof, direct from the govern
ment bonded warehouses, and the proof
Of whisky is easily ascertained.
Still another important feature will
be changing the personnel Of the state
board Of control so as to give the peo-
pie Of the state confidence in the man
agement This Is understood to be
now under consideration.
I'm my opinion the people Of the
state are overwhelmingly for the dis
pensary," said Senator Tillman, "even
in the counties where 1t has been
voted out The system Is all right, but
the people are tired Of the bad odor and
want to see a change in the law. The
advocates Of the dispensary will, In
my opinion amend the law at the pres
ent session so as to prevent corruption
the enemies of the law prevent the leg
islature doing anything In that direc-
ton they will have to be accountable
to the people. We will see to that, but
unless the legislature attempts to do
something, there Is grave danger Of the
death Of the law. I am sure; though,
that the friends Of the dispensary will
make every effort at this session Of the
legislature to purify conditions and to
again establish the system In the conf
dence Of the people. II they fail 1t VIII
be because the enemies Of the law unite
against them.
mo, there is no danger Of the law
being knocked out at this session, as
see II. The legislature knows the peo-
and win knife II. Then when we go
before the people this summer and put
out candidates for senator and men,
bers Of the house we will line up things
so as to show the hands Of everybody.
There will be much difference then, and
this vote that has been remaining at
home will show up for the dispensary.
Senator Tillman expressed the opin-
ion that IL counties that have recently
voted out the dispensary under the
Brice law should elect senator's and
representatives this summer committed
to the dispensary those elected on the
dispensary platform would have a per-
feet right to put the dispensary back
In the counties that are now enjoying
blind tigers in large doses.
Senator Tillman believes the Brice
law will be repealed when the legisla-
ture meets next January.