Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1874-03-27

REFUSED LICKKsEs.-On Wednesday last 40
applications for licenses were refused, principally
from the coal region. On refusing these appli-
cations, the Court said:
''We have done an act for which we expect
severe censure, but the performance of duty and
a conscientious regard for the best interests of
the community prompts US to take this step.
We believe that too many licenses have hereto
fore been granted by the Courts. Our law
makers never intended that more hotels and
restaurants should be licensed than were neces-
sary for the accommodation of the public. Some
judges in the State have held that when party
makes application to the court in Cue form of
law that it is the duty of the court to grant the
license whilst others have held that the courts
are only to grant licenses in case it appears
that the hotel restaurant is necessary, and as
! they think none are necessary, they refuse all.
| The Supreme Court, in 4 late decision by Chief
Justice Agnew, declares that both are wrong,
and that the courts are bound to exercise a rea-
sonabe discretion in the matter. We have done
so, to the best of our Judgment ; but in the ex-
ercise of this reasonable discretion We have no
doubt made mistakes. Some, perhaps, have
been granted that ought rot to have been whilst
others have been rejected that ought to have
been granted. II is impossible for US 10 judge
all cases of this Kind correctly. In doing what
we have dore, we have called for information
from men of known respectability aud veracity
from different localities, and in making up our
judgment have not inquired concerning the ma
tionality, religion and politics OF any. We have
refused all applications for ''new stands" and
also many for sold stands" and in granting
licenses have tried to select those that appeared.
from the best information We could obtain, TO be
most necessary for the accommodation of the
public. In the East ward Of Shsmokin alone,
We have applications for about forty licenses.
In a place OF that size, one would think that
twelve or fifteen would be more than sufficient
for the accommodation of the public, and we
have refused a large number of applications for
old stands in that borough. We will next year
hear all applications for stands, and will
endeavor to exercise reasonable discretion in
determining the question OF necessity but what
we have now done is done, and must remain so
during the ensuing year. We have been refus-
ing licenses generally in cases where parties have
been convicted of violating the liquor laws; but
this year, where the parties have paid heavy
fines and costs. and undergone imprisonment
for term of months, We have, upon their PROM
ises to do better, granted them license, but this
was done only in one or two instances, and then
only where it seemed the public houses were
really necessary in those localities for the ae-
commodation of the public. IL any new licenses
have been granted it has been through inadver-
tence or mistake. We have known cases who're
the petition was marked sold stand" for the
purpose, perhaps, of misleading
'sIn almost every case of murder, riot, assault,
&C.. the plea is, that the act was done whilst
under the influence OF intoxicating liquors, and
we cannot help but believe that the courts are
in some measure TO blame for this wholesaleand
promiscuous licensing OF hotels and restaurants
in localities where the requirements Of the pub
lie do not call for them. Where there are 80
many small places set up for the sale Of liquors
only, those who arc disposed to keep up large
and respectable houses for the entertainment of
travellers anG strangers cannot afford to do so,
because the custom they need TO support them
is divided between too many. In Locust Gap
there were thirteen or fourteen taverns, nearly
as many as there are houses, and scarcely any
public travelling in the neighborhood. In fact,
wherever there are few miners houses there
were several taverns and restaurants. in view
Of the increase of crime of every grade and the
known tendency that intemperancc has 10 still
increase it, how can n conscientious court con-
tinue TO license more houses or grant licenses to
old ones where II is manifest they are not needed.
will again say that We have committed mis-
takes, and may expect severe criticism, but
it will be i long time before the people will
have public officers who can please all. On my
way from the court to-day i met man who
said ''the people are beginning to find fault be-
cause you are too severe in your sentences OF
another man who said, "We are not altogether
satisfied because the court uiu not punish those
men little more severely" In the perform
apce of Il public duty we must expect many
Things to try US, but We cannot help but think
that the good and moral classes will always sus-
tain their courts in all things that may have
| tendency to reform in all cases of known and
manifest evil. In doing what we have done, we
believe we have done the Lord a service as well
| as the community, aud time will tell it in the
decrease of crime and expense to the law-abidinS
| citizens of Northumberland county,
| Housy HUNTING AND MovIHG.-Ihe peculiar
|