Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-03-21
The Propo,ed License Law.

CHANGES TO BE MADE IN OUR SYSTEM OF LIQUOR
SELLING.
"An act regulating the sale OF intoxicating
liquors" has been reported in the House of Rep
resentatives, at Dover. 1t consists OF twenty
four sections, and provides an entirely new sys-
tenn Of licensing the sale of liquor, in this State
In the first place, there are to be appointed,
by the court of General Sessions, at its first
sitting after the passage OF tho Act, and annu-
ally thereafter, three Commissioners, for each
county who are to examine all applications Tor
license, and report to the Court upon them, par
ticularly ascertaining and certifying whether
tho applicants have fully complied with the re-
quirements of the law, and also giving their
opinion whether the tavern asked for is neces-
sary. For the purpose OF receiving applications
they are to meet at the Court House, on the
Monday before each term of Court.
To keep tavern, the applicant must be
citizen of full age, snd good moral character
he must file written application with the Olerk
Of the Peace, at least thirty days before the
Court from which he desires license in this he
must set forth his citizenship and full age, des-
ignate the plaoe,where he desires to keep hotel,
show that he is the owner or tenant OF suita-
BILE place, state the yearly rental value OF itshow
that he has in II at least 'three suitable rooms,
and ''six comfortable BEDS for the exclusive
use of travellers and guests, and has stable and
provendera afor at least -four horses, and show,
also, that his hotel is necessary for the
accommodation Of the public. Before max
ing this application, he is to publish notice
Of his intention to do 80 in at least two weekly
newspapers of his county; this notice to set
forth the facts, generally. At the same time
with his application. he is to file his bond. with
one or more sureties. and warrant OF attorney
to enter judgment thereon in the penal sum OF
$1,000, conditional for his faithful observance of
the laws of the State regulating the sale of in
toxicating liquors. This bond and its sureties
are to be subject TO the approval OF the Court.
s. .la
cate "of twelve substantial freoholders" residing
in the school district where his hotel is located,
or, If in Wilmington, the certificate OF forty such
freehOldeTs of the Ward which must clearly state
that the applicant is possessed of all the neces-
sary qualifications for license, and that ''he il
man Of sobriety, and good moral character
The applicant is to appear in open Court, at the
time his application is presented and there make
oath to il. He shall, also, at the time OF filing
his application with tie Clerk OF the Peace pay
the full fee orprice for it, and $1.50 fee to the
Clerk.
The license fee for taverns shall be 800. a
year, unless the rental value Is over 5000, when
the license charge is to be increased at the rate
of ten per cent. on the excess OF such rental
value. (For hotel property renting for $1,000,
the license would be $500 Retail liquor deal
ers shall pay $25, with an increase OF ten per
cent. on their rental over $500.
The Commissioners are to have SO for every
day necessarily spent in the discharge Of their
duties. They may give their reasons at large Tor
| or against. any application, The Court may OF
| may not, adopt the Commissioners recommends
| ton, as in it's discretion 1t shall see proper.
The person licensed is to frame his license, and
| hang il up conspcuously on his premises, and
| in any legal examination where it may be prop
erly called for shall produce it, failure to do SO
| being presumptive evidence that he has none.
Liquor is not to be dispensed, sold or given
away on Sunday; nor at any time to minor, in
| sane person, habitual drunkard, or person al
| ready intoxicated. No secret door is to be kept
/ for getting into and out Of a licensed house.
| No licensed house shall he open for the sale OF
| liquor between Ii p. NJ. and A. M. No disor-
/ dery riotous, or lewd conduct is to be allowed
/ on the premises, no intoxicated person is to bt
put out, in that condition, or permitted to leave
| without a suitable protector, when from the in
| clemency of the weather. the condition OF the
roads, or the darkness of the night, there is dan
| ger Of bodily harm to such intoxicated person
No debt contracted for liquor can be collected
| by law.
No liquor is to be sold on the day Of any gen
eral, special, municipal election, within
| mile of the place OF voting.
These are the chief provisions OF the pro
posed Act There are severe penalties provided
for all violations; ranging from $50. to Sl6O
fine, and, in the case of a licensed person,
forfeiture OF license, and inability to have 1t re
newed for two years.