The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1873-01-22
THE LICENSE QUESTION.

THE LICENSE QUESTION.
CITY COUNCIL GRANT IN EXTENSION
OF TIME.
The Presentation OF the Memorial O.
the Chamber of Commerce-The Re
quested Conference Granted - Re.
marks OF Alderman O'NeiIl-Mayol
Wsgener's Proposed City Improve.
ments-The Ratification of Ordl.
nances.
Areguar meeting of the City Council wai
held at five o'clock yesterday afternoon, al
which The Mayor and fifteen Aldermen were
present.
The following petitions and memorials were
Presented:
Petition Of B. S. R. Chrlelzoerg Tor remls.
sion OF penalty; referred to the committee on
retrenchment and relief Petition of VIM. Will
son for leave to take out retail liquor license
for six months; referred to the committee on
licenses. Petition Of VIM. Roland 10 have city
garbage deposited on certain marsh lots In the
suburbs; referred to Mayor. Petition of James
McCabe that previous petition for re.
duction of assessments be referred to the
committee on licenses; granted. Petition OF
johnson & Palmer, shipping agents, for the
granting Of license suitable 10 their busi-
ness, the license law not providing for the
same; referred to The committe Oh licenses.
Petition of J. q. Wechman for appointment
of chimney contractor OF Ward No. 8 in place
of W. B. Dacoster, deceased; received as In
formation.
The following memorial of the committee
recently appointed by the Chamber of Com
merce was read by the Mayor as follows;
CHARLESTON, s. c., January 81, 1873.
To the Honorable the Mayor and Clty Council ::
GENTLEMEN-The memorial of the under
signed respectfully showeth that they are q
committee appointed by the Charleston Cham
ber of Commerce, for the purpose OF present
ing 10 your honorable body certain feaures OF
the ordinance ratified by the City Council on
the 10Th day OF January, 1878, entitled IAN
ordinance 10 regulate licenses for 1873"
which 10 them appear open 10 grave Office
uons; and In order that the objects contem-
plated by their appointment may be more
fully carried out, your mem rialsts respect
fully ask for conference with your commit
Gee OF ways and means for the purpose oil pre-
senting to their notice such provisions of the
said ordinance as may be the subjects Of grlev-
auce, and also that the imposition OF the pen
atty for failure to take out licenses be de-
ferred until your said committee of ways aud
means shall have reported thereon TO your
honorable body.
And your memorlalists will ever pray, &C.,
ZIMMERMAN b.
WILLIAM RAvENEL,
GEO. 8. CAMERON,
B. G. PINCKNEY,
GEO. w. WILLIAMS,
G. K. HUGER.
WIN. L. TRENHOLM.
Alderman O'Neill made the following re.
marks:
Mr. Mayor-I move that the memorial be
received as Information. And In making the
motion beg to explain that do so through
no disrespect to the Chamber of Commerce,
Of which have the honor Of being member.
am of opinion 1t has erred In lending its en-
dorsement to an effort 10 contraVene an ord-
nance which. though printed and subject 10
discussion several days previous to Its ratldea-
tion, met with no similar opposition; aud be-
be an Injustice to those citlzens who have
promptly responded and paid. feel, sir, that
1t Is due to myself as q member of the COM
mittee which modified the license bill, to say
that differ with those who believe the bill is
either unjust or unconstitutional; and most
cupuhllCdliy OCuy IuuI IL "uo IuO lulCuIiOu Va
the committee or the bill to discriminate
against the poor man In favor of the rich man.
On the contrary, 1t Is legibly written, all over
the face Of the bill, In characters intelligible
to every poor man, just the reverse. But 1t is
popular 20 Cry poor man even with the rlch
How is It attempted to De shown that tae poor
factor has been dscriminated against! Be-
cause this year he is charged fifty dolars-one
hundred per cent. less lhan last or previous
years; aud the sales of large houses are
graduated to make mp the difference? The
same rule prevails throughout the bill az ap-
piicable to all dealers, lawyers. dentists, phy-
sclans, banks, &c and was even extended 10
the draymeD; but it is said bankers are all
classed alike. Well, I must confess, as one OF
the committee, my leniency did not extend
far In that direction; but how does this COM
port with the popular clamor that We dis
criminated against the pc y uan and young
beginner? ? Is not the reve~-, the case, cir
What better proof than the fact that the poor,
industrious men of our city, and many rich
men, too, have already, without grumbng,
paid nearly $40. 900. and only the corporations
and few rich traders have held back, and
shown opposition at the eleventh hour.
Mr.; Mayor. the committee tried to be be
to favor the poor man, knowing well
that every dollar paid Tor license
was just 30 much paid and discounted on the
tax bill. They know, and never doubted, It
was c0n6uCuLlOnal 10 grant licences lot poHce
purposes, and only for such do we seek them.
The repeating Of the State license, In fulfil
ment OF party pledges, affected not our right
in the least.
Mr.. Mayor, none OF your committee was
born to an inheritance. What they are and
have they worked for. Yourself bright ex
ample, am sure can say for us all, know
can for myself, that all my sympathies are
for the poor man; and I here disavow all de-
sire for alliance with srlstocracy. Therefore,
sir, In justice to those who have paid licenses
trust my m otlon will prevail.
In conclusion, may remark that the COM
miltee have no claim to intallibility. Ihey
may have erred; but If so, it was, perhaps, by
leaning overmuch to mercy's side. hodih-
cations may be made not affectlRg the bllPs
interests, and yet satisfying the demands OF
dealers and factors, who cannot, in advance,
estimate their sales and purchases. Later in
the evening propose 10 offer resolution
that will enable all such to overcome that dif-
nculty by rendering to the appraiser quarter
ly returns.
At the conclusion of his remarks. the Alder
man offered the following resolution:
kResolued, That wholesale dealers. factors
and commission merchants, and all classes
whose receipts, sales or purchases are gradu-
ated, shall, on payment Of stipulated license
fee, have permission to make quarterly re-
turns OF Their receipts, sales or purchases,