The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1916-01-05
PROHIBITION LAW
CLOSES D|SPENSARIES
Fifteen Counties Swing In
to Dry Column
ACT NOW ALLOWS
GALLON A MONTH

pose Of Surplus Stocks. Rush Of
Business Marks Final Day. Total
Income for Last Year More than
100000. Manning Calls Upon Peo-
pie to Aid Officers.
Columbia, Jan. 1.-When the sun
went down yesterday afternoon at 5:25
o'clock, the official closing time, South
carolina swung into the dry column.
At midnight six other States, Iowa.
Colorado, Oregon, Washington. Idaho,
and Arkansas were added to the list.
Under the prohibition law indorsed
at an election held last September
dispensaries in the following coun-
ties were officially closed: Aiken,
Beaufort, Bamberg, Barnwell, Char
lesion, Calhoun, Dorchester, George
town, Jasper, Florence Orangeburg,
Lexington, Richland, Union and VIII
liamsburg.
The sales in all these counties dur
Ing the past ten days have been un-
precedented in anticipation Of the
final closing. The Bamberg county
board reported to L. l.. Bultman, the
State dispensary auditor, several days
ago that the entire stock had been
disposed Of.
The disposition Of the surplus stock
held by practically all of the coun-
ties. 1t is believed. will require legis-
lative action Gov. Manning has re-
fused to take action, declaring that
1t was problem to be decided by
the general assembly.
While no flgures- have been pre-
pared by the office Of the State dis
pensary auditor, an unofficial e3ti /.
mate places the total sales by the dis
pensarios in Is counties at more than
100000.
Manning VIII Aesx ~
Gov. Manning In statement issued
yesterday promised to use the power
Of his office to enforce the law He
called upon the people Of the State
to aid In tho enforcement Of the new
nAeaeure. sa' Hi&sgaasJ
The prohibition referendum cleo
don was held last September when
the dispensaries recaived their walk
iag papers" at the hands OF about
5000 voters. Tho election affected
emily is OF the "A counties In tho
State. but the question was submit
ted to the entire electorate.
In Columbia yesterday was marked
" constant stream Of liquor Dur-
6aaers. From early morning until
she eight dispenseries :. were closed
assaut 6:2s O'clock yesterday after
room the clerks were busy. too busy
to wrap up the bottles. which many
Of the customers carried away un-
ashamed in their pockets. All kinds
and conditions Of people, the major
iW In most of tho dispensaries being
negroes, got some brand OF whiskey
In exchange for their money Good
order was maintained, members Of
the police force being stationed In
each dispcnsary In the afternoon.
Every bill incurred by the county
dispcnsarics, all running expenses and
incidentals have been paid by the
county board, which consists OF J..
w. II. Duncan, chairman; James S.
Werner, secretary, and Sam n. Wcs-
berry. Mr.. Werner said yesterday he
would have about $4,000 in cash and
about $4,000 worth Of stock on hand
at It's cost price. The sales yesterday
aggregated more than $4,000 which
was double the receipts OF the prcced-
Ing day. The sales for December
will amount to about $125,O0 in Rich
land county.
The liquor left over. consisting
principally Of cheap rye and corn
whiskey, will be stored in the ware
house, whore 1t will be kept until the
legislature provides some lawful
means OF dsposing Of It. A detailed
report Of tho amount on hand and
the receipts will be submitted. Mr.
Werner thinks that there will be not
moro liquor held over than could be
disposed OF In two weeks Of ordinary
sales. All beer, all Scotch whiskey
and practically all wines have been
sold, and tho pick between the
brands OF rye and corn was exceed
ihgiy limited. In tho early part Of
December certain reductions In prices
we're made on bulk goods.---Tho State.