The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-04-19
PURCHASED CLARKE LIQUOR.
This Was Necessary in Order to Keep
County Dispensartes Supplied
Temporarily.
The State, 18th.

now as if the commission is going
to be able to wind up the affairs of
the G. M. I. sooner than was contem-
plated several weeks ago The expert
accountants expect to complete their
work within few weeks, and the
commission may be able to settle sew
eral thousand dollars worth of the
claims by the first of May.
Having accepted the shipment Of
liquor bought Of Clarke Bros. g. Co.
of Peoria, ILL.,, as was announced in
The State of yesterday, the commits
sion will be able to supply the de-
mands largely Of the county dispen-
sarics for cheaper grades of whiskey
aud at the same time get rid Of prac-
tically all of the higher priced barrel
goods on hand.
The purchase was Of that part Of
the Clarke shipment which remain
ed Some had been shipped out al
ready.
The Clarke goods were accepted at
a much less figure than they were
billed to the state dispensary. These
liquors will be mixed with So, $3.50
and $3 barrel goods, then reduced in
r"oof. giving first class article in
the X and Xxx goods. Some Of the
higher priced goods which are to be
mixed with the Clarke whisley are
now worth considerable more than
when they were originally purchased.
Much Of it has been in the warehouses
for from two to five years and the
;:ge which it has and the evaporation
will materially improve the value of
the lower grade article.
There has been q steady demand
for lower-priced goods and as the
commission is not allowed to buy adj
ditional liquors they had to accept
The Clarke goods if they expected to
let rid Of any considerable quantity
"f the higher priced barrel goods, for
which there is small demand, in fact,
practically none.
BY mixing the low grade goods
with the hard stock higher priced
stuff, the commission will not only
be relieved of the goods for which
there is practically no demand, but
will be able to net the state profit
of perhaps $4,000.
BY accepting the Clarke goods it
must not be understood it is said
that the commission has disposed Of
the question of the legality of their
purchase nor have they forfeited for
the state any right to enquire into
the question Of rebates. The COM
mission. it is understood, will not only
insist upon having the Clarke people
turn over to them all documentary
evidence in their hands affecting this
alleged illegal purchase, but the same
policy will be followed in regard to
all other purchases. .
It will be the policy Of the commits
sion to enquire minutely into all the
details connected with all purchases
made by the board Of directors. They
are given authority under the law to
summon witnesses if necessary and
inspect all papers and other evidence
which might have any possible bear
ing upon the question Of the legality
Of any of the transactions under the
old regime.
DR.. Murray has received several
requests from banks throughout the
state Offering to pay 4 per cent. in
terest upon the deposits Of the dis
pensary commission, Dut 10 action
can be taken upon this question un-
til another meeting Of the commits
sion is held. IF it were absolutely
certain that any great amount Of this
money would be in the hands
of the commission for any
on interest, but as it is likely that it
will be paid out. within. the next few
weeks, possibly within ten days, it is
not at all probable that any change
will be made in the present mode Of
handling, the funds, that of deposit
ing them with various banks in the
city Of Columbia and throughout the
state on call, without interest.
IF the county dispensaries through
out the state will give to the commits
sion as large orders as it is possible
for them to fill with their stock on
hand, it may be possible to wind up
the affairs Of tho old institution by
the middle Of Septemper, or even ear