, 1881-02-13
LICENSES,

A TRIBUNE reporter had au interest Ing talk
with Mayor Hnrrison yesterday, it being brought
about By question 10 what he thought of
Senator Whites pending bill, which seems to re-
peatby implication the per oeut limitation for
cDrpnrate purposes.
"One law doesn't repeal another said his
Honor, "uniess there are words to that effect, or
the old law IS Inconsistent with the new one. In
my opinion, while Senator Whites Dill gives the
Council power to make such appropriations as 1t
uuy deem necessary, that body is still contiucd
to tho per cent on tho assessed value of tho
property
"Are you in favor of aboltshiug the limlta-
don?''
"Most emphattcally no. That Is d saving
clause. would rather sec the city hampered
than have the 2 per cent removed. My view is
that tho real and equitable manner OF raising
revenue Is by general system Of license. One
Of the first things did when 7 went info office
was 10 discuss that question, and there Is Il bill
nnw before the Leg stature providing for the
licensing Of everybody"
- Is 1t original With youT'
"No,-n copy Of thd law OF Missouri Isenr
land You think TINT Il eOou idca2'
II think we can raise revenue by system Of
licensing that will fall as lightly upon the people
as the water tux.
Would you release personal propertyy'
'How about fraud?'
1T wouldn't BIO difficult to prevent that"
NV hy release personal property"
I have felt for years thut way. Tho burden
falls On honest men, AMI the dishonest ones
escape. That tux keeps large amount OF man.
utnSstorinxs capital away from the city. 1t has
DRIVE FACTORIES INTO THE SUBURBAN
TOWNS.
Real estate should not bear the entire burden,
because the tax generally falls on the tenants
get remunerative percentage On his invest
nent. Taxation on real estate, therefore. forces
him to Increase the rents; and they are paid BY
How would you arrange the licenses-charge
every saloonkeeper SO much? F"
u would graduate them according to tho
business done. Take = suloonkeeper who now
pays So; It he onployed several barkecpers he
should pay aE additional sum in proportion to
his sales dry-guods man should pay Ii Ger
salesman.
"Have you worked out system:"
'No. haven't had time to digest the subject,
and It isn't necessary to do 1t until the bill gets
DO you think it will pass:"
my information from Springfield is that tho
prospect fs good."
" Has It many friends in the city?"
"Tlere are people here VINO are agltatfug the
subject fos general pusposes-dotng away With
exclusively with reference to the municipality.
haven't examined the question thoroughly, but
1 sho s thaf 5ae qs
licenses are graduated by the business done.'
ny OIL speak Of business. Would you conflne
the licenses to merchants and shopkecpers2"
t. NO; TAKE IN PROFESSIONAL MEN.
Why shouldu'tu lawyer Or doctor pay q license
as well as an oxpresssman? Or barber as we'll
:" Do you think such systcm could be carried
"i do BY including every business and every
body, ana making the license light. don't bo-
liexg there would be any objection TO it."
u have talked with real-estate men, aud I
don't believe there is one who would not be per-
fectfy willing to pay license Of S25 year."
"How MUCH coUk1 Way 81 j; RAISED IN THAT
II have mover estimated 1t. but I think the
tax could be reduced, and collect
sufficient to run the city without tho people no.
:. = Your idea Is to cut loose from the Slater"
have nothing 10 do with the State.'
In that event the State could continue to tax
property for its purposes?"
:" If it chose"
"The tux. however, would be lishter?" :.
II haven't thought OF that phase Of the. sub
5ect; but Cain see ITO reason why the license
system should not cover NIL in tho city"
"Suppose the State should also ndopt the sYs-
tenn; that would involve duplication Of IL
censes:"
II haven't thought about that"
When the time comes, ~ II must soon If the
the valuations down, that per cent will not
yield enough to'run the machinery, what can bo
done?" =
'tIn that event, think levy could be made
for a specific purpose. For instnuce for the
Library That is u part Of the educational sys--
TEN, md the money needed fur its support could
be raised outside Of the Limitation, the same
the funds for the schools and the Bridgeport
pumping works; they do not come under tho
head of corporate purpose"
'' Is there authority now to levy for specific
purpose?''
''No, but it could be granted by the Legis~
MI