The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-02-13
ILLINOIS.
Temperance Agitation Taking the Form of
High License-The Measures Proposed.
Special to the indianapolis Journal

High License-The Measures Proposed.
Special to the indianapolis Journal
SPRINGFIELD, Feb. ia considerable por-
ton of the time OF the Illinois Legislature
thus far has been devoted to the question of
license The prohibition agitation of last
summer and fall has created an anxiety to
get the question out of politics, and high
license system has apparently been accepted
as the best means of accomplishing that end
Immediately after the opening of the session
bill was introduced in the House by Hon.
ID. T. Littler, of this city, fixing the mini
mum of saloon licenses at $500, with
an additional 10 per cent on the
amount of the gross sales, to be
paid into the treasury of the municipality
granting the license. The latter feature of
this bill was intended to equalize the tax, so
as not to give the more money-making estab-
lishments a special advantage over the
poorer, This bill was soon killed in commit
tee, and another, by Mr.. Fuller. of Boone
county, nearly identical with the Littler
bill, with the 10 per cent. item omitted fol-
| lowed in the same road. Mr. Fuller sue
ceeded however, in getting his bill called up
in the House and MADE the special order for
next Wednesday at 1890 clock
Another bill on the same subject. making
the minimum license $500 in cities OF less
than 10000 inhabitants. $500 in cities of 90
600 or more, has received favorable report
from the committee, and both measures viii
come up for consideration. Strong delega-
tons have been here from Chicago and other
cities urging high-license legislation; but
they have agreed among themselves so poor
lv that they are admitted to have advanced
their objects but very little The delega-
tons, composed of leading influential bust
ness men, appeared before the license COM
mittee of the House, and were there con-
fronted by the paid attorney of the Chicago
liquor-dealers' and saloon-keepers' asslcia-
tons, who managed to talk all round them,
and practically overslaughed them with sta
tistics oil the most absurd and illogical CHAR
acter. 1t was unfortunate for the high
license cause that the delegations present
the meeting having been arranged specially
to give them chance-had no really effect
i've talker. Nevertheless, it is believed the
Fuller bill stands an excellent chance
OF passing the House, and if
it can get drought that body
there is no reasonable ground to doubt that it
will become law, the Senate being admit
teddy favorable to the measure.
One of the leading men among the active
temperance people of the State says: "lf the
Legislature will give US some such law as
that proposed by Fuller, L am authorized to
say that the temperance people will not ask
anything further at this session; and if the
law should work as well as it seems to work
in Nebraska, do not think anything fur
Their will be asked at least within reasona-
bic period"
PRoHIBIroRY AMENDMENT.
Representative Fuller introduced a resolu-
ton in the House to-day that the following
be added to the State constitution:
mo person shall manufacture sell, or keep
for sale in this State, any alcohol whisky,
highwines, wine, ale, beer, or any other in
toxicating liquor whatever, except for medi-
cal, scientific and mechanical purposes"
1t will probably be reported from the Ii
cense committee, within week, in some