The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1918-02-07
WILL NOT LEAVE SHIPMENTS OF
WHiskEY IN THE HANDS OF
PHYSICIANS.
DISPATCHES FROM COLUMBIA
Oolngs and Happenings That Mark the
Progress Of South Carolina People,
Gathered Around the State Capital.

Does not the bill shift the obtain
Ing OF liquor from characterless judges
OF probate to characterleSs physi-
cians?" was the question asked by
Senator Evans Of Marlboro Of Senator
DuRan when the latter's bill provid-
ing that liquor permits should only be
issued upon physician's certificate
was under consideration in the sen
ate
BY vote Of 20 to nine, to strike
out the enacting words, the senate
seemed to take this view Of the stu
uation.
Before sounding the calendar Of
third reading bills and disposing OF
those which were not contested, Sena.
tor DuRant made motion to take up
his bill which was amending the act
regulating the shipment and transpor.
tation OF liquors, by providing that in
addition to the permit obtained from
judge of probate a physicians GER
ttficate, giving the details Of the rea-
son why the prescription was issued,
should be necessary In order for a
person to obtain quart OF liquor legal
ly.
There was opposition to taking up
the bill but by an overwhelming vote
tho senate decided to do so.
The indications at this time seem
cd to be favorable to the bill. and so
it continued until Senator Evans asked
the question above quoted. and Senator
Epps Of Sumter gave his reasons for
opposing the bill
Senator Epps OF Sumter. following
the line suggested by Senator Evans,
and supplementing 1t by an argument
that there were many perfectly con-
scientious physicians who would pre-
scribe liquor, possibly as all appetizer.
or for rheumatism, or "for the slom-
ach's sake" or In other cases which
seemed to be desirable That no ply
sician could be convinced Of violating
the law II he would swear that he had
issued a certificate believing that whis-
key was necessary. He further argu-
cd that it would operate to the great
disadvantage OF physicians who would
not prescribe liquor, in that such pa
tients as thought they needed liquor
would go to those physicians who
were willing to prescribe it,
Senator DuRant said that there were
number Of physicians who believed
in prescribing whiskey AS far as his
knowledge went, the majority in his
county did so. Therefore he wished
to put the responsibility upon the
physicians for securing liquor for
those who were permitted to order it
In reply to the objection that in
case a physician thought 1t necessary,
but that the law would delay the Oh
tanning 1t until the patient was either
dead or we'll. he pointed out the fact
that the physician himself could OBJ
tain as much as a quart which he
could keep and prescribe in case Of
emergencies. and that by telegraph. or
otherwise, a supply would be obtained
in a short time.
He argued that the bill provided for
the punishment of physician if he
would prescribe liquor when it was un-
necessary and that this would be am
pie protection against physicians OF
bad character who prescribed liquor.
Senator Black proposed an amend
ment that no physician could issue
more than permits in a month.
Senator Epps Of Sumter argued that
this would defeat the very object in
mind. for physician might issue six
permits and then find other patients
who needed it more than the first six.
Senator Shelor proposed an amend
ment that no physician who used liquor
as a beverage would be permitted to
give a prescription.
Senator Hughes said that he had
hoped that there would be no more
liquor legislation at this session. The
legislature had already done enough
In ratifying the proposed amendment
to the federal constitution.
The vote to strike out the enacting
words, % to Q, was decisive but In no
sense did it indicate the prohibition
sentiment in the senate for many
members who were ardent prohibition.
fists voted to strike ont the enacting
words.
Before adjourning to meet in joint
session with the house. Senator Mich
olson OF Edgefield offered resolution
which was unanimously adopted,
thanking the commanding general OF
Camp Jackson for the invitation to
attend the review at O'Clock In the
morning and accepting the invitation,
The senate killed the bill to provide
for the assurance, guarantee and reg.
istraton OF land titles.
1t recomniitted to the committee on
agriculture the bill to provide for a
system OF marketing farm products.
The following third reading bills
were passed and sent to the house:
Amending the act relating to the