Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1885-07-11
THE O q LICENSES.

that the saloon men OF Lexington were
in the wrong in asking tor a reduction
of their licenses. We did not have the
time, then, to explain why, but we
will endeavor to do so, briefly, now.
Six months ago the county court in
creased the dram shop licenses from
$3.50 to S4OO for six months. The city
license at the time was $3.50 for six
months. 1t Immediately appeared that
this placed the city at a disadvantage,
as it could not we'll raise its license to
the sum charged by the county, while
at the same time it was generally con-
coded that the city should receive the
larger amount, las being compelled to do
the necessary policing and supervision
In view of this state of affairs the
council appointed a committee compos-
cd of Mayor Hamlet, City Attorney
Hicklin, Councilmen Winsor, Russell
and Howell, to wait upon the court
and endeavor to persuade it to lower
its license and permit the city to raise
its rate. On the third day of the ses-
sion of the county court the committee
succeeded in getting a hearing. The
court was 10th to disturb what it had
done. When the committee was heard
a number of prominent citizens were in
attendance, Messrs. Stephen G. Went
worth, W. G. McCausland and James
Belt being the spokesman. The court
expressed doubts as to the good faith
of the council in any pledges that
might be made, when the mayor prom
ised hat no reactionary legislation
should be had upon the matter during
his term in Office if he could help it,
and felt called upon to 60 so far as to
pledge himself to use the veto power 10
prevent such legislation If it became
necessary. Messrs. Hicklin, Winsor
and Howell, of the committee, who
were present, sent there by the coun-
Gil, promised for that body that it
would stand by the arrangement there
made. 1t was then agreed between
the county court and the councils COM
mittee that the court would reduce its
license to $500 for six months, rrovi-
ded the city would place the license at
the same sum-, $500 for six months.
And it may be added that the court
was so averse to making any change,
that had it not been for the aid of the
citizens present, extended upon the
distinct understanding that il was a
settlement of the question, the commit
tee would not have been able to accom-
plish its purpose.
At the next meeting of the council
the mayor and other members of the
committee reported what they had
done,the council approved their action,
and unanimously passed an ordinance
to carry out the agreement by placing
the city license at $500 for six months
Now the saloon men ask for a reduc-
ton of the city license, on the ground
that they only agreed to an advance
of the city license to the extent of the
reduction OF the county license, which
would put the city license at $3.50 fol
six months. We are not 30 much sur
prised at the saloon men asking this re-
duction as we are at councilmen voting
for it, There vas no conference
whatever between the saloon men and
the council or the court. The confer
ence and the agreement were between
the court and council. as represented
by its committee, and a conclusion was
reached which should have been final
Every councilman who was in the
body when the agreement was made,
seems to us I'm honor bound to main.
tain it now, and the mayor will BIZ
compelled to veto any ordinance pass.
ed to reduce the license, or violate hi;
solemn word. No one a expect hin
to do that.
Times are hard! Granted. The
license is highl Granted. But it is no
as high as it is in dozens of other town;
in Missouri, and the council is none tn,
less bound by its pledge to the county
court.
The Intelligencer is opposed to pro.
hibition, bnt it is in favor of higl
license and strict supervision of tn
liquor traffic. Liquor men who are a
all observant must know that there il
growing up in Missouri, as every
where, a strong temperance sentiment
1t has in this state adopted the conser
vative ground of high license. This t.
reasonable men, who are not fanatical
seems the best solution of the question
1t is no use to argue for low licenses
which means practically free whisky.
The man who does not know that thu
day for that in Missouri has passed, il
blind. There is no use in wasting
words upon such an one. The settle
ment arrived at last January was {
compromise; the people were generally
satisfied with it, and are willing to lei
it stand; but if it is attempted ever,
SIX months to upset it, just SO certalnl,
will one Of two things happen-th tn,
county court will raise the license high
er than it aggregates now, or the PEG.
pie of Lafayette county will take step,
to abolish saloons altogether. We can
not stop here to elaborate the reason.
why we are opposed to a state prohibi
tory law; they are epitomized il
the word impracticabie. We cal
assure the saloon men, however
that they are playing directly in.
to the hands of the prohibitionists whel
they attempt every six months to agi
tate this question of license. The,
should remember that prohibition il
Lafayette county, and prohibition b,
the state OF Missouri, are two very diff
ferent things. The first could YER,
soon get behind it the moral supper
of the people that would ensure its EN-
forcement, while the last would be
dead letter on the statute book. w
hope the councilmen who voted for tn,
ordinance to reduce the licenses viii
let the subject drop where it is.
Another heavy rain storm visited the
vicinity of Paola, Kan, last Sunda,
night, continuing all through the mex
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