The Express.
London, England, 1853-11-17 00:00:00

MYSTERIES OF THE LICENSING SYSTEM.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE BIPRESS.

Sia,—The press, beginning now to notice the
glaring abuses and evils arising from the licensing
system, a voise from one of a class of tradesmen
hitherto too much ignored in these matters—l mean
the small brewers—may not be unacceptable to the
public. The evident alarm of the large firms at the
present crisis begins to manifest itself, as in the
unintentional admission you noticed in the letter of a
certain great brewer a few days ago, but the letter
altogether was a blunder, for the tactics of the large
firms has hitherto been to say nothing, and to avoid
discussion, an as to baffle, by getting their opponents
off the snt. The expense of Obtaining a spirit
ice
licenses a mystery of the trade—l may say of the
age we live in—yet the honour of a great majority of
the licensing magistrates cannot be doubted. How-
ever, hundreds are spent and no account can be
given, the license being generally worth on a new
house 1,0001., the obtainer is too happy to trouble
himself how he obtained it. We know that certain
firms employ as professional men the friends and re-
latives
of licensing magistrates. We know some of
the magistrates are not very rich, but are very busy
at licensing time, while rich ones do not interfere.
We know in the limited sphere of our own observa-
tion a man who obtained a license last licensing day
for an old public-house that actually had been shut
up for want of custom years before. The result was
—Whitecross-street for the poor fellow who
obtained it. Another house not far off that
stood in the miedle of a field where
but a few skeletons of houses were erected,
obtained a license also; but a house in the same
parish, standing in a main thoroughfare, half-a-mile
each way from any licensed house on the same side
of the road, and, truly speaking (if that is a recom-
mendation), having no competitors, standing also at
a confluence of five ways and well fitted, yet the two
trials to obtain a license have been unsuccessful.
But this is true that very little money was spent,
and that only for legitimate expenses. As the trade
now exists many houses are kept open that cannot
legitimately pay their expenses. Thus, five years
ago, near Wapping Wall, 20 licensed houses might
be seen from one corner, in many instances next
door to each other and all within a circle
of 100 yards from the spot, they are gra-
dually dwindling away and nine-tenths of them
would have gone but for artificial support. Thus
does the system work. Houses are plenty where not
required, bat where public accommodation is in re-
quest a house must struggle on with heavy expenses
and the small profits of a beer trade—half trade—
unless the owner succumbs to the mysteries of the
present system. I acknowledge that the practice of
spirit bibbing is not one to be encouraged, nor do I
desire it to be; but let a system be adopted that.
will be fair at least for all : let the restrictions be
great as is possible, but let all share alike. If the
magistrates want useful work, let them really pro-
mote morality by helping us to get museums, parks,
and wholesome pleasant houses for the working
classes. Let them help us to get schools where the
heart burning' of religions discord do not sear the
expanding mind. Such means, and these only, will
raise the moral status of the people, and check im-
proper use of spirits and other drinks. Drunkenness
I cannot be stopped by the licensing system.
If a rate corresponding to our poor rate supported
schools and museums, and the poor were supported
'by taxes on malt, spirits, and tobacco, would it not
be putting the saddles on the right horses ?
btepney, Nov. 15. A BREWER.

FATAL PRIZE FIoET.—On Thursday lent a prize
fight for 301 • aide took plus between two paginate, named
Rory Gill and Ned Donnelly. They hired a steamer and
went to Milne Island, bat the police were on their track,
sad routed them from there. They then aped over to
the Formby Sands, where a fight is said to have taken place
arida lasted an hour, when the sponge was thrown
Clarke,'p am a
*DM a defeat by a man known as " Robby
Mel as ens of the seconders of Donnelly, and Gill was de-
siring the victor. Gill was brought to Liverpool dreadfully
peskier! about the head, and was seen immediately on his
nears by Dr. Somers, of the Roes-hill Dispetaary. Dr.
was subsequently called in, but erysipelas setting
la la face, baled all medical skill, and the wretched
mu died on Monday night last, at his residence in Thur.
lescadreet. On the following day a man, known to the
pollee as Newmarket Jack, and who was one of Gill's se-
seeders, was taken into custody to await the result ef the
coroner's inquest.—Norrhers Times.
AGRICULTURAL SERVANTS.—At the annual hiring
of farm "secants at the Doncaster statutes, on Tuesday last,
the number of persons of both sexes seeking places was
mach more limited than usual. A great portion of those in
attendance had been engaged previous to the statutes, and
the demand being greater than the supply, the remainder
asked very high wages. Good farming men readily ob-
Weed engagements at from 161. to 221. per annum, and
women servants at from 91. to 121. The comparative
seareity of farm servants in this district is attributed to the
esanewhat extensive emigration which has taken place from
thence, both to America and Australia, within the past three
or four years.
FREE TRADE FREEHOLD LAND SOCIETY.—Laat
night a meeting of this society was held at the Belvidere
T , Pentonville, for the purpose of explaining the
objects of the society and enrolling members. Colonel
Dickson took the chair. Mr. Jenkia Jones explained in
detail the objects of the society, and was followed by Mr.
Can
Cu, Mr. Evans, Colonel Starr, Mr. F. A. Davis, C.
Itain Culpepper, and other gentlemen. Several new em-
hers were enrolled.
THE BIRKBECK FREEHOLD LAND SOOIETY.—A
meeting of [hie society was held last night in the large room
of the Angel, Islington, for the purpose of explaining the
objects which the society have in view, enrolling members,
and making arrangements for the next ballot for allot-
ment*. Mr. Ritchie was called to the chair. Mr. Beale
explained the objects of the society, with which there is
also a bulldog society connected. A number of new mem-
bers were enrolled.
TYNEHOOTH BRIBERY COMMISSION. TYNE-
! ROUTH, WEDNESDAY.—This forenoon, at 11, the 00C11014-
' shiners appointed by the crown to inquire into the corrupt
practices in the parliamentary elections at this place, opened
their court in the Town Hall, Saville. The names of the
gentlemen are Henry Davison, Eiq (chief commissioner).
John Harrell, Esq., and James Vaughan, E..q. The chief
I commissioner opened the proceeding+ by setting forth the
nature of the inquiry they were ab. ant to institute, which
would depend on the nature of the evidence they received
whether it should ee extended to preceding election'. A
great number of summonses have been issued, and Mr.
Granville Somerset, the secretary, has been down a week
getting up the evidence.
CA KMARTII EN AND CARDIGAN RAILWAY AND
HA 'moult UV E. —A aerie!, of meetings in favour of
this project has just been projected. The first was held at
the coasting town of Kidwelly, in the former county; and
on the following day a second was held at Cardigan. The
scheme is said to have the countenance of the Great Western
end South Wales Companies.