Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-11-24
For the Shirt Of The Are

MIR EDIToR:-I have been closely watch
ing the proceedings Of the present Board Of
commissioners of our City, and can but feel
regret at the disappointment oceasioned by
us practice, IN contrast with its professions
before election. 1t came into power under
the auspices Of "REFoRMv-but If that reform
has not been in a backward and Injurious re-
spect am unable to Judge. Ipropose Civ
ing q brief reeapitulation of some of its acts.
and making a few plain comments thereon.
For several years past, there has been a
contest to do away with the system Of licep-
sing grog shops in the City. After a long
fought struggle, these sinks of ~iniauity had
been completely suppressedin our midst; and
1T seemed to be almost the unanimous opinion
OF our citizens, that Fayetteville street, our
chlef tnorouShfare, should especially be ex-
empt from them. And we understood our
new Mayor and a majority of the Board coin
clded with this view. But what did we see,
at the first regular meeting of this Board at
which thisliquor license question was brought
to a test-in February last? Application for
a licensed liquor shop on Fayetteville street
was made, and granted-irst by the casting
cote Of the Mayor, and, at the same meeting,
a second shop licensed by one majority, both
on Fayetteville street-besides others. Since
that time the number has been added to. un-
til, believe, abouta dozen rejoice in the 'by
authority" right to retail the villainous pois-
onl Candy and cake houses, fish and ma
chine shops have been metamorphosed into
doggeries, until we have them of all sorts.
sizes and descriptions.
l understand one plea set up is-that the
City needed a revenue to pay off her debt
and therefore, the Board was bound to pro
vide for 1t, IN this, as well as other legitimate
ways. Laying aside the morality Of the thing
and a due regard for the popular will con
corning grog shops in our midst, this may bt
q plausible pretext-especially as this Boar(
had been lnaugurated as the Reform Board
made heavy charges against its predecessor
for extravaganza, and promised to be NOR
economical and pay off the City debt. Bu
how do Jdcts correspond with these profes
slons We believe fully as much money ha
been spent by this Board land to no bette
advantage as by former ones. and we hay
not heard of the first dollar of the old deb
the City being paid, Notwithstanding the
have had the largest revenue this year, tn;
has even been paid into our City treasury !
50 that the plea of paying off the debt of Il
Corporation, is q mere tub thrown to Il
whale-the license fees have not not been
applied.
: | would award all honor to the minorit
who have fought against this foisting of
t censed grog shops upon the community.
They have done their duty manfully, and
serve the plaudit of well done good and fat
full servants" The rewards of an approvi
conscience and the appreciation Of our G
zens are theirs.
{ ! had intended, Mr.. Editor, to say sou
thing as to the effects UPON our communi
these grog shops have produced, and will p
IS duce-but as | shall have more to say on
subject, | reserve these remarks till anotI
time. | close this article, therefore and
press my deep regret that our Mayor a
Board, who have been so very active in D
vs noting law and order, should have trainn
y led themselves by these adverse draw-ba
the licensing Of groglShops.
g, IN II CoRNEB