American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-11-19
Licenses to retail Ardent Spirits In
Washington.
Communicated i


Washington.
Communicated
MEssRs. EDIToRs: / see it announced in your
paper of Monday, that ga most disgraceful
fight occurred on Pennsylvania avenue yester-
day (Sabbatb) between two men, in the neigh
borhood of the railroad depot; and for about
an hour there must have been at least one hun
dred men and boys in front of the frame tavern
on the north side Of the avenue, at the corner
of Sd street, drawn together by this shameful
affair. Bad doings this for our city,
This announcement is, / regret to say, no
strange thing among us. Similar occurrences
happen almost daily, and it seems to excite
little or no sensation. Helpless women and
boys are shot down dead in our midst, and
only momentary feeling is produced. A pa
thetic appeal is made to spare the perpetrator,
under the plea of delusion or insanity produced
by intoxicating liquor, and in few days the
dead are forgotten, and the unfortunate perpe
traitors of those startling crimes turned loose
by our judges and juries to renew their deeds
of violence, while our amiable people fold their
arms and wonder how such things can be.
True, there are a few who cry aloud in the
public ear against these things, and point to
the source and cause of it all. But what of
that "They are mere fanatics" unworthy of
even passing notice; and he who would give
warning to the public authorities Of the utter
disregard and abuse of the laws in regard to
the liquor traffic, is branded as dishonorable
spy and informer Are these things not SO?
Is there nothing that can open the eyes of the
city on this vital matter? Does any man doubt
that the tavern, the grog-shop, and the grocery
where liquor is sold, are the fruitful sources
and causes of all these disgraceful outrages and
crimes? Is there man in this city who does
not believe that retail liquor establishments in
oil their forms is an unmitgated eyil--the pa
rent of oil crime--without one single redeeming
quality? Is there one who can point out a SOL
itary good which results from them If there
be, let him come forward and he shall be heard.
What said our Mayor to the city Councils
scarce two months ago? Listen to him: 81
earnestly invite your attention to the necessity
of revision of the laws in relation to the retail
of liquors. l am fully satisfied, not only from
the returns of the police and asylum, but from
my official observation otherwise, that Intem-
perdnce is the cause, almost exclusively, of all
the disturbances and pauperism which affiict
our community. Our laws should seek to re-
strain and not foster an evil of such frightful
magnitude. The charter does not regard the
retail of liquors as a business from which di-
rect revenue is to be drawn, but as an eua to
be restrained or prohibited by the exaction of IL
censes or such other means as are authorized by
it. With this important principle in view, many
most necessary changes can be made, and
wholesome restraints added. Difficult as it is,
and / may say almost impossible, to establish,
by legal proofs, violations of the existing laws
the only true remedy is, in my opinion, ESQ far
as our powers and legislation can effect it, to
reduce the number and classes of licenses, with
additional restrictions upon those which may
be granted"
Thus spoke the Mayor to the Councils on the
25th Of August, 185l-and a noble speech it
was--a speech worthy of the Mayor of Wash
ngton. And what said the Councils in re-
sponse? Listen
/" Be IL enacted That, from and after the first
Monday in November next, the Mayor is au-
thorized to issue licenses for the purposes fol-
lowing, and on the terms and conditions here
matter mentioned, to wit:
"For a license to sell or barter all kinds of
spirituous liquors, wines, cordials, malt liquors,
and cider, in quantities less than pint, sixty
dollars.
"That, before issuing any license as aforc-
said, the Mayor shall be fully satisfied of the
legal responsibility and good character of the
peTSOuS uppiyluB loE euSH loeHSeS anu tHeEe
shall also be before the Mayor the recommends
ton or majority of the white housekeepers
residing on the same side of the same square,
and on the side of the square fronting opposite
where the establishment for the sale or barter
Of such enumerated liquors is proposed to be
located or opened-which recommendation shall
be certified by the Commissioner Of the Ward
as having been signed as aforesaid for the issu-
ing of such license All licenses under this act
shall be made to expire the lst day Of Novem-
Der next ensuing the issue thereof"
"Sec. 8. And be IL enacted, That all acts or
parts Of acts inconsistent with the provisions
of this act, be and the same are hereby re-
pediedP'
Thus responded the Councils to the speech of
the Mayor. All honor, say from the bottom
of my heart, to the Mayor and Councils for this
noble speech and bill. They are worthy of the
Councils of the metropolis of the nation, and
will be hailed by the nation as second only in
honor to the great northeastern light which has
arisen in the State Of Maine.
But now comes the tug of war. This bill ope-
rates upon some four or five hundred establish
ments which retail liquor in quantities less than
gether by hooks of steel. They can muster more
votes at the polls than any other interest in the
city, and WELD untold millions of money. No
other interest can begin to compete with il in
wealth. They are united as one man, while all
other interests are divided, possessing no prin-
ciple of unity, no concert of action. How,
then, is this tremendous power to be resisted,
and compelled to submit to the plain enactments