The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-12-14
LITTLE LIQUOR TALK.
eration of the Law in Counties OF
he State Has Caused Very Lit
tie Comment so Far.
Columbia, Dec. 9.-Few reports

how the prohibition Ia" recently
adopted by fifteen counties OF the
State is working. The newspapers
in these counties have had little to
say concerning prohibition. Wheth-
er the law is being successfully en-
forced is only a matter Of conjecture
ard it may be that the Act has not
been in force long enough to draw
conclusions. Within the next few
weeks will see the passing away OF
the dispensaries in all of the dry
counties. Of course, the doors OF
the shops we're closed on November
Is. but there are many matters to
be attended to such as disposing OF
stock, fixtures, distribution of funds
ard the final placing OF the records
When all this had been done thlr-
ty-six counties in South Carolina
will be under prohibition rule, and
its merits and dement's are gong to
be watched not only by the people
OF the State, but by other sections.
Judging from th;, Court records IN
the different counties CT the State,
about the usual number of cases have
been brought up charged with viola
tion Of the whiskey law.
There have been statements made
bv a number Of persons who go
about the State that it is no trouble
to buy a drink! This statement has
been made by several who have re-
cea1y visited the dry territory.
Reports from Sumter and Dorches-
ter and other of the dry counties,
that is those that abolished the coun-
ty dispensary system on August II,
are to the effect that the jug
trade" has 'picked up wonderful
w." and there is nobody suffering
for the want of stimulants.
From the storm and howl and con-
troversies before the whlskey elec-
.tiov the situation seems to have set
tied down to tame affair. People
have quit talking about the dlspen-
.sary and the prohibition law. 1t may
be that the advocates Of the dlspen-
sary no longer take any interest IN
the institution since it has been vot-
ed out, or it may be that those deslr-
ing the dispensaries are satisfied
in that there is no trouble ln order
ing whiskey from outside the State.
Of course this does not apply to all
Of the advocates Of the county dis
pensaries for many look upon it from
a business standpoint. The Prohlbl-
tionists are quiet-they are saying
nothing and seem to be satisfied with
the acquisition Of the fifteen eoun-
ties. This attitude may be only on
the surface.
In connection with the attitude Of
the Prohibitiondsts, many are Won
dering whether they will attempt to
pass a Statewide bill at the coming
session of the Legislature. There
are many people we'll acquainted
with the situation who think that
such a measure will be attempted. AS
to whether the bill would go through
is a deep problem.
This whiskey Act is captioned:
":To prohibit the manufacture, sale,
barter, exchange, giving away to in
4duce trade, the furnishing at public
places or otherwise disposing Of al
cohol, spirituous, vinous, or malt IL
ouors or beverages or other liquors
or beverages by whatsoever name
called, which if drunk to excess. Will
, produce intoxication, except tor sale
Of alcohol in certain cases upon GER
tain conditions and except the sale
Of wines for sacramental purposes
asd to provide penalties for the vlo-
1ation thereof" "
(which if drunk TO excess Will
produce intoxication is a phrase OF
ehe Act which several attorneys have
said would be very hard to construe
to the satisfaction Of all. Some think
that it would be very hard to estab-
lish, with degree Of certainty, the
true meaning Of "drunk to excess. "
Wholesale druggists, under very
exacting conditions, may sell the re-
tail druggist and to hospitals pure
alcohol for medical purposes or grain
alcohol to be used by chemists or
bacteriologists actually engaged in
scientific work. The wholesale drug
gis1s must file with the clerk OF
r,,rt N tho county where theV do