Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-31


Paving streets. .............. 10000 10000
ASipkinc fund 3l.O00 &c. 500
River and harbor imp ments 1900 1000
Total ..................... $539.6oO s5l6.65O
The tax on real and personal property
As the same as for lSS5-21s per cent. on
real estate and * per cent on personal
property. with the same rebate as this
year on all taxes paid promptly.
There are number OF changes in the
specific taxes and licenses. The tax or
dinance was taken mp seriatim. Its
reading and the debate upon its passage
lasted over two hours.
The Council chamber was crowd
ed with spectators. The Ii
quor interest was very largely repre-
scented, from the fact that il was generally
understood that an effort would be made
10 increase the tax on the liquor business.
The debate upon the increase in the
wholesalers tax from $500 to $500, and the
retailers license from $ll5 to the same
amount. $500, finally resulted in the pas
sage Of the ordinance fixing the tax upon
these two classes of business at the
amounts named.
The tax ON the wholesaler was made a
specific tax, and the retailer will do
business under license as heretofore.
The tax for 1885 was $500 for wholesaleing
tOi WlttCbhlEAnk anu lGldlllUE Wltlil but
Incorporate or jurisdictional limits of the
city. This tax Is increased to $500. The
license to sell at retail within the corpO-
rate limits of the city north OF Ander-
son street, west of tine Bilbo ca
rial, and east OF MusgrOve creek,
was $115. This is also increased to $500
for any part of the city within the cor
porate and jurisdictiOnal limits. and the
applicant Is required to submit as Sc
curities two responsible freehoders as
prerequisite to the Issue of the license.
The debate on the liquor question was
opened by Alderman Myers, who moved
TO make the tax on wholesalers a specific
tax OF $500 the same, as at present.
Alderman Nell moved to amend by
making it $500. Alderman Melps motion
was seconded by Alderman Hamlet.
Alderman Myers took the floor in support
OF his motion and spoke at considerable
length. In the course OF his remarks he
denied that he had ever been an advocate
OF high license and challenged proof that
he had at any time taken stand in favor
OF move IN that direction. He referred
to petition signed by between 800 and
400 liquor dealers, which was read before
the ordinance was taken up.
The petition set forth that it was ru-
mored that the license of retail LIQUOR
dealers was to be increased to $500 and
That of wholesale dealers to $500. The $50
signers objected to an increase, because
the effect would be to carry out by indi-
rect means prohibition, and they intl-
mated that they preferred to meet the
question IN different way. An increase,
the petition asserted would impair capt.
hal, throw men out of employment, de-
stroy their business, and deprive families
OF their support. The present tax was
declared 10 be onerous in the extreme.
The Alderman then went on 10 show why,
IN his opinion, the tax should not be in
creased. The movement he believed to be
IN the interest Of prohibition; he could
charge 1t to nothing else.
A vote was taken on the motion Of Alder
nnan Nell, fixing the amount at $500. The
ayes and nays were called, and the vote
stood as follows:
| Ayes-Aldermen Hamlet, Wells, Bo-
cart, Mills, Nell, Thomas, Hamiiton-7.
Nays-Aidermen Nichols, Derst, Myers,
Duncan and OeCOnnor-5.
The amendment was carried and the
tax was made speolfic tax. The high
license line was drawn and the vote on all
subsequent motions was the same.
The debate upon the retailers tax was
even more spirited than that on the whole
sale tax and involved the interests Of up
wards of 400 liquor dealers. Alderman
OCOnnOr moved to amend section IA OF
1he ordinance which fXes the retailers
tax at $500 by making it $1l5 Tor that part
of the city north of Anderson street, west
OF BilbO canal and east OF Musgrove
creek. The Alderman spoke at consider
able length in support OF his motion,
claiming that there is, so far
as he can see, no rea-
son for any increase in taxation.
Of the taxes assessed under the present
ordinance are collected. He went on to
show how out of $50 liquor dealers in the
city there are "a who have paid no tax
VnnY lNyFr. Nl..
which rightly belongs TO the city, and
which, II collected, would 20 towards
making up the deficit which increased tax
alton is expected TO make up. Least Of all.
he claimed, should there be an increase in
The retail dealers license. Alderman
O'Connor's speech pleased a majority Of
ihe spectators and there was a demons
tration OF applause, which was promptly
suppressed by the marshal.
Alderman Myers again took the floor
md read lengthy speech, which no had
prepared, in the course OF which he
charged the high license movement 10
an attempt TO lnaugurate n prohibition
boom. II the tax is voted, he said. the
SIN VIII DO upon the Councils shoulders.
He should oppose it.
Alderman Duncan took the ground that
the adoption OF high Incense will be
practically prohibition, and that the step
taken without any more notice than deal
ers VIII have after the passage OF the
ordinance as proposed, before it goes into
effect, will necessitate an immediate sus-
pension Of business or a compliance With
the ordinance as II will stand with the
license Increased to $500.
The ayes and nays were called upon
Alderman OConnor's amendment.
which was lost by a vote OF TO D, the All.
dermen voting the same az on the whole
Ealers tax.
The vote had hardly been declared
when Alderman Duncan moved 10 amend
by making the tax SIPS. This move was
defeated, and Alderman Myers then
moved 70 make II $50. The vote was the
same a. on the original motion, and as a
last resort Alderman O'Connor moved 10
make u 500. The ayes and nays were
again called with the same result.
AZ was pretty evident that the
majority u the Council was for hIgh
license and intended 20 make 10 $500.
Alderman Hamilton, who had thus Ear
taten no part IN the debate. moved that
lne license bo fixed az $500 and called for
lhe question. The ayes and nays were
called ana The motion was carried by 4
1Ie ufIIs - 49, .IslasI ~. 60. -.