Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-12-02
THE LICENSE QUESTION.

The restrictive policy adopted by the Police
Board recently IN the matter Of issuing licenses
for the sale OF liquors in this District has elicit
ed considerable feeling upon the part Of those
who hold themselves aggrieved, and has
brought up for animated discussion the whole
question of the soundneSs OF prohibitory meas
ures. or measures tending that way. We have
never hssItated 10 express the opinion that
however great the evils resulting from the free
sale of liquors may be, the attempt 10 coerce
men into abandoning their uss by prOhibItory
law Is unwise and impraeticable, aud, such is
the obstinacy ana self will Of mankind. brings
about results precisely the opposite 10 those
desired The history Of New England prohib-
itory legislation has ab1Edantly demonstrated
this fact
We believe, however, that no member OF the
Police Board advocates prohibitory policy as
practicable or advisable in this District at this
time. Some of the members favor licensing. or
re-issuing licenses to those who have COM
piled with the laws, while the majority of the
Board seem 10 have acted on the idea of coa-
sideriUg the question of public morals as one
10 have weight with them in issuing licenses
The Beard Is unanimous, we believe. in hold
ing that the violation OF law. as for instance
selling on Sunday, should prevent the offender
from getting a renewal of his license.
The matter has come up in the City Councils,
and on Monday night Councilman Hins in
troduced bill providing that no person shall
be fined or otherwise punished for selling spi--
ituous, malt or fermented liquors or other bev-
erages without a license, who has complied
with the laws of the corporation in making an
application for a license for keel ing either a
hotel, tavern, ordinary, restaurant or other
house, and has paid into the designated depos-
tory Of the funds of this corporation the su m
of money required by said laws for a license to
keepelther hotel, tavern, ordinary, restaurant,
or other house.
Wedoubt very much if he Councils can Is-
gislate in the matter. The act Of Congress cor
ferring various powers on the Commissioners
seems 10 have been designed 10 take the matter of
issuing licenses altogether out of the control of
the corporate authorities. placing ii in the
hands Of the Police Commissioners. The act
of July p, 1850, provides that s.from and aft n
the expiration OF licenses already granted, it
shall be unlawful for any person or persons
keeping an ordinary, restaurant saloon, or
other place where spiritaous liquors are sold
within the District Of Columbia, TO give, sell,
or dispose Of any intoxicating drinks without
a license, approved by the. Board Of Police;
and hereafter no such license shall be consid.
cred legal by any of the authorizes having H.
risdictior within said District, until the same
shall have been approved by the Board of Po-
lice, and so certified TO the secretary thereof
under the official seal"
The Commissioners seem 10 have control of
the issuance OF licenses, quite independent of
any action Of Congress; and il Is we'll known
that Congress meant that the law should have
hat effect when they passed If, a at that time
there was conflict OF jurisdiction on the
license question between the then CORPORATE
authorities and the Police Board, and Congress
sided with the latter.
Ii seems TO US that Congress, having taken
the matter into its own hands. should supple-
ment that legislation by q law defining what
requirements should be filled by applicants
desiring licenses. But until Congress does this
we would suggest that the Police Commission.
ers move with moderation. and avoid any stem
likely TO place them in violent opposition to
public sentiment.