Savannah morning news., 1885-12-23
SAVANNAH MORNING NEWS WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER %,
An Opening for High Lioense.


soon after the Atlanta prohibition con-
test the statement was made by proml-
nent liquor dealer in this city that ne
favored nigh license. He was Influenced,
doubtless, to make this statement by two
considerations: First, the desire TO avoid
proh bition contest; and, second. that
! it would be better for the town if many OF
the low groggeries were closed.
Would it not be a good time now, In
accordance with the expressed desire OF
this liquor dealer, TO give high license a
trial! The Council will soon meet 10 fx
the rate of taxation and the licenses for
the coming year. Why not raise the
liquor license so high that the low krog-
geries in the different parts Of the city will
be forced to close their doorss
Who will protest against this coursef
Not the wholesale dealers, because one of
the most prominent Of them has already
expressed himself in favor of it,
and he probably spoke the senti-
ments of all of those in his line of busi-
ness. They prefer high license TO pro-
hibition, and they have very good reason
to think that there must be either prohi-
bition or high license. The better class
OF saloon keepers ought not to object, and
probably will not. High license means a
better and a safer business for them.
Without it prohibition stares them in the
face, which means no business tor them
at all. If they are wise they Will urge
the Council to give high license trial
All the groggeries which cannot stand
$500 liceRse-and the license ought not
to be less-will, of course, protest. They
are as strongly opposed to high license as
they are TO prohibition. Either will put
an end to their business. But why should
their protest be heeded? Are they any
benefit to the community; Do they help
to increase the city wealth. DO they
help to bring trade here or produce any
thing that brings money here? All of
these questions can be very truthfully
answered in the negative. Why, then,
should they be shown any consideration?
That they are sources of evil none can
deny. Perhaps nine-tenths of the crimes
com mitted in the city can be traced, d-
rectly or indirectly, to them. Close their
doors, and the police docket would be-
come comparatively small, and the crim-
inal business OF the Superior Court would
shrink to very small proportions. Is not
this condition Of affairs greatly to be
desired!
But wouldn't the receipts from licenses
fall off very greatly! They would not.
There would be enough licenses taken out
under the high license system to make up
for the decrease in the mum Der of licenses.
But who would the Council please by
inaugurating a high license system?
Would it not please all who are peace
loving and law-abiding. all who believe
that the unrestricted sale of liquor is
wrong and all who suffer from having the
earnings upon which they depend for the
necessaries Of life absorbed by the grog-
geries?
At least eight-tenths Of the city's popu-
lation would rejoice If the Council should
decide in favor Of high license. Will the
Council be guided by the wishes of the
eight-tenths, comprising all the best ele-
mentS of the city's population, or by the
two-tenths comprising the low groggeries
and those who waste their wages in themf
Let us wait and see?