The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1884-01-15
THE LrouoR-LrcENsE CLAUSE
In the New Tax bill, M Viewed
FrOm a Tempernnce SinndpOint.

FROM n temperance SfnuNpOlnt.
Major II. A. Hall this morning, In reply to a
representative Of THE CRITIC, who mentioned
that he noticed that Commissioner West Joins
Issue with him on the remarks he was reported
to have made at the mass meeting on Sunday,
said
"Yes, that is I'm relation to the section pro.
viding for a transfer OF the business from ono
place TO another. Now, II the first proposition
made In that speech could have been consid-
cred In connection with the portion that was
publish ed believe all candid persons Will
agree with me. said II we could be assured
OF an honest execution OF the law 1 would
favor some sections OF the bill that was now
constrained to oppose, and this was one OF tho
"what do you mean by an honest execution
Of the lawH
"why n fair decision when the two interests
clash; such decision as would DO given In a
case between citizens who were opposed 70
each other when the executive officers decide
their claims. | referred TO tho decision m 1de
some years ago, allowing petitions In favor OF
licensing places opposite Government prop
efty. Tho law says that the names OF ma.
lotity OF the olcHerS shall accompany the peti.
iion. Now do not suppose that any business
man would Insist that the members OF the
Cabinet were owners OF the buildings In which
they hold forth, or that they have any legal
right TO Sign petition for the United States.
believe tho attorney for the Commissioners
decided this practice TO be Illegal some years
elnce. When Horace Maynard was Postmaster.
General he not only refused TO slgn those petl-
tions TO license the places opposite his Depart.
mcnt, Dut ne protested against the granting
or any license. And yet tho licenses were
granted as usual. could mention other de-
cisions and rulings that weaken the confidence
Of the temperance people In any law that Is OF
at the section referred 10 by Mr..
West-here itis-lt reads: Licenses may be
transferred TO persons 10 continue the same
business In tho same place, or TO TeDl0Us tho
place OF business under the same regulations as
NE original HceASe.'
"This,you will observe,ls a part OF section 2.
NM qnE n "a N ~ nf ia IN ~
under the ddpfse rulings suggested. Tho IL
coDso IL secured In Unanimous locality
aud the transfer ls mnde by the liquor seller
10 place whore there is less competition. Ho
has removed his business first and then APP
plies for transfer. He is entitled to the I'D.
vantage OF the Same regulation as the orig.
inal license, 10 wit! protest OF majority OF
tho propofty.owDers and residents on both
sides OF The street, thus keeping our citizens
constantly protesting, for the experiment can
be made as often and In as many places as the
liquor seller desires. Now submit that with
the history OF the past before as for guide,
that It is more than probable that every effort
made to uproot these places once established
would prove failure and a farce. Under
these circumstances 1 do hope this section
will be amended. think 1t viii give tho Com.
missioners much trouble II 1t becomes the law
in our District"
''Do you object to any other section than this
| and the one discussed before the meeting
section 10, believer
ayes; l referred TO section o. This authorizes
| every person engaged In tho business OF man
| u1acturlng proved or matt liquors Tor safe 10
| pay $3.50 annually and under their license rs
brewers shall be allowed to sell malt liquors 10
any quantity at their brewery premises with.
| out other licenses. This throws the door open
| without reserve, as no petitions are here re-
| qured, and OF course every desirable locality
for the sale OF beer would Immediately be-
| come n 'manufactory.' Another very objoc
| tionable feature is In section 13-wherein bill
Hard tables and pool tables are licensed.
| Few persons could distinguish
| pool table from billiard table,
and there Is no necessity for tho word pool
in this section, unless II is Intended TO license
| gambling on billiard table. II understand
| the temper of tho meeting on Sunday IL was to
| urge and 10 aid our Commissioners in the
| passage OF n law that Will raise sufficient
| revenue for the expenses OF the Government,
| but in doing this not TO sacrifice any OF the
| safeguards now existing for the protection OF
| the morals OF our people,"