The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-12-31
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY
COUNCIL.


Potter, Cunningham voigt, Collins, Barrow,
Greene, Holloway, Hampton, Small f. P. wall, L.
F. Wall, Howard.
Council was not called to order until half-past
O'Clock. when the Mayor stated that the object OF
the meeting WAS TO consider the license bill in its
different details, and to see that while it Oene-
fitted the CITY, it would not oppress the citizens.
The clerk read lengthy petition from the gro
GERS, showing the grievances OF the provisions oi
the bill as it related to them, and praying Tor
reduction of the liquor license. II was signed by
some two hundred grocers, and, on motion OF AL
derman Collins, it was received as information.
Alderman Collins stated that delegation Of
merchants and brokers were present, and moved
that ex-Attorney- General Haync be allowed to eX-
press their views to Council, which was adopted.
The bill was then taken up by sections, and the
first section read b. the clerk, when Colonel l. W.
Havne came forward and stated that he was pre-
serS to represent a certain class who deemed that
they were unequally and unjustly dealt with by
the bill. He then read the following report OF the
meeting OF brokers:
A bill to regulate licenses, proposed at late
meeting of the City Council OF Charleston, wnicn
appeared In this mornings paper Tor the hrst
time attracted the attention OF Hunoer i DEL oi
ions, and at q late hour OF the day, meeting was
held, at which the following named brokers' were
present: Hutson Lee, I. S. Ryan, J. s. h. Bennett
s ID. Ford, w. Y. Leitch, Lowndes GrlmDaii,
r. Mordecai, A. G. Kaufman, r. NJ. Marshall
BRO. L. D. DeSaussure, Huger & Ravenel, a. c.
McGilvray, A. P. Gray, Ii: H; DeLeon, Wardiaw 4
Carew, J. H. Wilson, ). Z. Black, X. ). Bruns, Il.
B. Cakes, j. S. Riggs, ]. Fraser Mathewes, Il. Gam-
brill L Co., J. t. Humphreys, Edward Lowndes,
Holmes Macbeth. ,,.
The meeting was organized by calling Mr.
Louis D. DeSaussure TO the chair, and appointing
Mr.. ]. T. Humphreys secretary.
Various reasons were thrown out by those pres
ent why the proposed bill should be objected 10
as being unequal and oppressive in Its operation.
One firm for instance, in many cases carries on
several drerent kinds OF business of like nature,
each OF which Is subjected to q separate license
tax, though together they yield but m0derale
income, and no one kind alone would ylelu sup
mort. Upon no class in the community, however,
II was contended, did the bill discriminate more
uneoually against than the brokers. Each broker
prOper is likewise '.money broker or dealer IN
exchange collector and real estate agent
''real estate broker and auctioneer," ana, under
the ruling OF the United States Internal Revenuc
ONCE n banker also. Thus the same firm VIII
pay for licenses alone S52o; While pank, wnat-
ever its capital however large It's crcatstiEn ra IN
the amount OF its discounts and deposits, is re-
quired TO pay but 500.
While yielding to none in their anxiety 10 mann
tain the credit OF the city, and In thelr rwliling'
ness to bear their full share OF the burden OF TAX
alton the brokers as class feel, 1t was sad tnat
the proposed scheme presses most uhequah9
against them.
II was thereupon unanimously agreed thai the
Hon. l. W. Hayne be requested TO appear on Oe-
half OF the meeting and present the views OF the
meeting in regard to the bill, and that he request
the Council to postpone further action until
further hearing can be had.
Colonel Hayne said that the fact was clear that
one class was unjustly Disseminated against ana
he requested the postponement OF the further
consideration of the bill to such time as Council
may choose.
Alderman Wall spoke at some length on the
bill. and thought its measures oppressive on cer-
tain classes, and therefore moved its postpone
ment until 1t could receive careful hearing
Alderman voigt moved that Mr.. r. g. Bruins,
the chairman OF the committee OF brokers, DC IN
vited to speak on the subject.
Alderman Collins moved an adjournment.
Alderman Cunningham objected, and stated
that they were as ready to consider the subject
now as they would be two months hence, and he
was prepared to prove that the taxation would be
less on each individual interest than before.
Alderman Collins said that he was prepared to
take up the bill by sections, but he thought they
were already in an abyss OF confusion.
A rambling discussion arose between Aldermen
Barrow, yoigt. Collins and E. P. Wall, in which
each were colled to order several times and each
indulged In lengthy discussions. Alderman Col
Inns was very loud and boisterous, and little
passage OF words occurred between himself and
Alderman voigt, which gave the audience some
amt idea OF what morphine might do.
During the argument, the gentlemen who were
in the Council Chamber, many OF them for the
first time had an opportunity to hear some OF the
Aldermanic DnlIngsgae for which this Council
is so pre-eminently distinguished.
The motion to postpone consideration OF the
bill TO the next meeting came up, and on dlvl'
sion of the house the motion was carried.
Council being evidently opposed to any further
discussion OF the bill, Alderman Cunningham
moved that when they adjourn they meet in
secret session tomorrow night, TO consider the
bill in all Its bearings and have calm discussion
without being Influenced by outsiders.
Alderman Barrow offered resolution concern
ing the holders OF city property, which was re-
ceived as information, and Council then ad-
journed.