Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-05-12
TIE PRESENT CONDITION OF NEW
AND RAPIDLY AUGMENTING MOVE

Those are obtuse who do not read in
the events of the day new lesson upon
the temperance question. 1t would ap.
pear to have entered upon new era, in
which neither prohibition nor total absti-
hence have prominent part. It has be-
come question of regulation and restric-
ton of the liquor traffic under the much
abused license system. It is misnomer
to call that just license system, however,
which has generally prevailed. A license
tax should have some relation, where i'm.
posed at all, to the proper burden the
business consented to should bear as CON-
pared with the cost imposed on the Gov
eminent by reason of such consent. But
most license systems have been simply
arbitrary assessments. What may be
called the new temperance movement takes
the form of taxation through a license sys.
tenn having for its basis, first, the assump-
tion that the liquor traffic contributes in
undue proportion to the cost of govern
ment, and is to be classed among the lux.
uries; secondly, that the business is en-
gagged in by one class which degrades it to
the lowest level, and makes it the excuse
for systematized drugging and robbery,
to the shame of those who desire
to keep decent and orderly places
thirdly, that more licenses are demanded
than it is wise for the community to grant.
Therefore" say the advocates of high
license, eve will fix rate so high as to
exclude the disreputable, protect the repu-
table, increase the revenues, lower taxa
ton, and limit the issue of licenses to a
reasonable number. On the other hand, it
license that it is undemocratic to discrim-
mate; that the poor man has equal right
with the rich to engage in the traffic
that high license erects q monopoly
of the business of heuor.selling at
retail; that so far as the number of
saloons is concerned there never can be
more than there is demand for There is
in this debate a third party, the radical
temperance element, opposing any and all
license systems, on the ground that they
recognize business not tolerable in any
aspect. There is also fourth party to the
agitation-the conservative temperance ell
ement. It looks upon any restriction of
an evil as so much progress made toward
final extinction, and believes that if good
results flow from lessening the number of
drinking places the people will, as nat
ural sequence, seek greater good in further
diminution, and finally in prohibition. It
is TO be noted that the high license element
is by far the larger and more powerful. It
appeals to those who desire the lowest
possible rate of taxation, and hope
to attain that end by shifting the
burden upon liquor retailing it EN-.
braces very largely the drinking classes,
who recognize the fact that, as they con.
tribute literally to the saloon, it ia but fair
it should contribute largely toward gov
ernmental expenses it embraces almost
all of the business community, who advo.
cate it as measure Of fairness ard econ
omy, and who desire to be relieved Of
merchandise license taxation, and in favor
Of which release there is very much to be |
advanced lastly, it includes the major
portion Of the saloon proprietots, who be-