The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1883-02-22
LIQUOR LICENSES.

MADISON, Feb. 15.-One of the vital
questions which this Legislature will be
called upon to decide is the question of
lquor licenses, and from the present
tenn permanent of some Of the members it
appears probable that very sharp con-
test will be made for reduction of the
present license. A strong effort has been
made by a number of low license Demo
Gratis to secure uniformity of action on
the part of Democrats by means of eau
Gus ties. With this end In view quite
number of caucuses have been held by
them without result. At the one held
during the earlier part of the week there
was very stormy scene. The bill intro
duced by Mr.. Spier.ng to repeal section
10 of chapter 800 of the General Laws of
1882, and to re enact section 154S OF
chapter Sc, Revised Statutes, was under
consideration, and was strongly backed
by the low license faction, who want the
old law re enacted. Efforts were made
to compromise on $50 minimum license
but without success. Senator Carey, of
Manitowoc, was in the caucus and made
a strong speech in advocacy of the pro-
visions contained In the bill. He desires
the enactment of law that the town
boards, village boards and common coun
ellis of the State may grant licenses to
such persons as they may deem proper
to keep groceries, saloons or places with
in their jurisdiction. For the sale of
liquors in quantities less than one gallon.
to be drank on the premises, the sum to
be paid as license Is not less than $40
nor more than $3.50; and for the sale of
liquor exceeding one gallon and not to
be drank on the premises, the license Is
to be not less than $40 nor more than $75.
The various boards mentioned are en-
powered to vary the sums to be assessed
and charged for each of the licenses
which they grant in proportion to the
quantity of liquor sold and the income
annually derived from the sale. The
same are, however, prescribed to the
limits indicated. Mr.. Carey is consider
ed the leader of the faction desiring a
reduction of the license now fixed as
minim UNI by law. Mr.. Putnam is fore
most in the endeayor to have the present
license retained. When the caucus had
reached boiling heat resolution was
introduced requiring every Democrat to
support Spiering's bill, which re enacts
the law in force previous to last year.
This measure was taken as means of
gagging the minority in the caucus or
forcing them to support the views of the
majority. Immediately several made
break for the door, but were refused
egress. Mr.. Putnam then rose, strobe
determinately to the door and went out
of the caucus, followed by those who en-
tertained his views. The remnant of the
csucus then voted to support Springer's
bill, and those who made their way out
now avow their intention not to abide by
the decision. MIR. Putnam says, regard
ing his view of the case: "The present
minimum of S75 is as low as it should be.
| believe in making the license low
enough that it will be taken and high
enough to keep out as much of the
refuse element as possible. If S75 is
too big license for some, let them close
their doors. The low groggeries will be
exterminated and little more respect
ability will attach to the business.
When | advocate these sentiments they
call me Prohibitionist.
From the division existing among the
Democratic members it is apparent that
they cannot concentrate their strength
in any one direction. The Republicans
have not caucused on the subject and
will allow each member to exercise bis
own common sense in voting on the
numerous pending license bills.-liit-
10duke3 Sentinel.