The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-02-02
SENATE KILLS DUEANT LIQUOR
BILL.
Farm Products Marketing Bill RECON-
mittcd-IOcal BiIls--Attend Re.
view at Camp.

COlumpla, Jan. 3l.- Does not the
bill shift the obtaining Of liquor from
characterless judges CT probate to
characserless physicianB?" was the
question asked by Senator Evans of
Marlboro yesterday morning of Sena-
tor DuRant when the latter's bill
providing that liquor permits should
only be issued upon a physicians GER
tificate was under consideration in the
senate.
BY vote of 2S to nine, to strike
out the enacting worCs, the senate
seemed to take this view of the sit
| 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 trans
portation of liquors. by providing that
in addition to the permit obtained
from Judge of probate, physician,s
certificate. giving the details of the
reason why the prescription was is
sued. should be necessary in order for
person to obtain a quart of liquor
legally.
There was oppositiori to taking up
the bill but by an overwhelming vote
the senate decided to do SO. ,
The indications at this time SEEM
ed to be favorable to ahe bill, and so
it continued until Senator Evans ask,
ed the question above quoted, and
Senator Epps Of Sumter gave his 'rea-.
sons for opposing the BILL
Senator Epps of Sumter, following
the line suggested by Senator Evans
and supplementing it by an argument
that there were many perfectly con-
scientious physicians who would pre-
scribe liquor, possibly as an appetix-
er, or for rheumatism. or 'for the
stomach's sake" or in other cases
which seemed to be desirable. That
no physician could be convicted OF
violating the law if . would swear
that he had issued certificate be-
lieving that whiskey was necessary.
He further argued that ii, would op-
crate to the great disadvantage OF
physicians who would not prescribe
liquor, in that SUCH patients as
thought they needed liquor would go
to those physicians who were willing
to prescribe it.
Senator DuRant said that there
were d number of physicians who be-
lieved 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 physician thought it necessary.
but that the law wou delay the OBJ
tanning it, until the patient was either
dead or well, 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 OBJ
tanned in short time.
He argued that the bill provided for
the Furnishing Of a physician il he
would prescribe liquor when it was
unnecessary and that this would be
ample protection against physicians of
bad character who prescribed liquor.
Senator Black proposed an amend
ment that no physician could issue
more than 6 permits in month.
Senator Epps of Sumter argued that
this would defeat the very object in
mind, for a 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 IL
ouor as beverage would be permit
ted to give 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 ,aUfying the proposed amendment
to the federal constitution.
The vote to strike out the enactins
words, % to 8, was decisive but in no
sense did it indicate the prohibition
sentiment in the senate for MANY
members who were ardent prohibition
ISIS voted to strike out the enacting
words.
The senate yesterday killed the bill
to provide for the assurance. e1,aran