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

Streets and lanes. ........... 45O0O 03,OOO
Paving streets. .............. 10000 lO,O00
Wafer works ....-...--..... AOO0 zO,OOO
tSinking fund................ 3lO00 30,500
Interest ................. 10000 $4,000
River and harbOr imp ments l,5O0 1900
Total. ..................... S5s9,6OO $5l6.65O
The tax ON real and personal property
Is the same as Tor 1SS5-2JS 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 a number of changes in the
specific taxes and licenses. The tax or
Ninance 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 liz
quor interest was very largely repre-
scented, from the fact that it 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
GmOunts 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 whoesaleing
lOr whOlesaleing and retailing within the
corporate 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 the BilbO ca
nal, and east of Musgrove creek.
was S1l5. This is also increased to $500
for any part of the city within the cor
pOrate and jurisdicti0nal limits. and the
applicant is required to submit as Sc
curlties two responsible freeholders as a
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 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 a 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
ithe effect would be to carry out by indi-
rect means prohibition, and they init
mated that they preferred to meet the
question 10 different way. An increase,
the petition asserted, would impair CAPT.
Hal, throw men out of employment, de-
stToy their business. and deprive families
OF their support. The present tax was
declared 10 be onerous in the extreme.
The Alderman then wentOn 10 show why,
in his opinion, the tax should not be in
creased. The movement he believed to be
in the interest Of prohibition; be could
charge 1t to nothing else.
A vote was taken on the motion Of Alder
man Nell fixing the amount at $780, The
ayes and nays were called, and the vote
stood as follows:
Ayes-Aldermen Hamlet, Wells, Boz
CART, Mills, Nell, Thomas, Hamiiton-7.
Nays-Aldermen Nichols, Derst, Myers,
Duncan and O'COnnOr-5.
The amendment was carried aud the
tax was made sneoific 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 taxand involved the interests OF up
wards OF 400 liquor dealers. Alderman
OCOnnor moved to amend section IA OF
the ordinance which fixes the retailers
OF the city north of Anderson street, west
OF Bilb0 canal and east of MusgrOve
creek. The Alderman spoke at consider
able length in support OF his motion,
claiming that there is, so far
IS he can see, no rea-
son for any increase in taxation,
lf 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 81 who have paid no tax
this year, involving the loss of a revenue
which rightly belongs to the city, and
which, II collected, would 60 towards
making up the deficit which increased tax
alton is expected 60 make up. Least of all,
he claimed, should there be an increase in
The retail dealers license. Alderman
O'Connor's speech pleased majority Of
the spectators and there WAS a demons
fratiOn OF applause. which was promptly
suppressed by the marshal.
Alderman Myers again took the floor
and read a lengthy speech, which he had
prepared, IN the course OF which he
charged the high license movement TO
nn attempt 70 lnaugurate a prohibition
boom. II the tax is voted, he said. the
sin will be upon the Councils shoulders.
lie should oppose IL.
Alderman Duncan took the ground that
fho adoption OF high Incense will be
practically prohibition, and that the step
ftAhNA WAAhNAh any tliNNt hOliGt Lntn OtAl=
ers will have after the passage Of the
ordinance as proposed, before II goes into
effect will necessitate an immediate sus-
pension Of business or a compliance with
she ordnance as II will stand with the
license increased to $500.
The ayes and nays were called upon
Alderman OConnoPs amendment.
which was lost by a vote Of 7 10 D, the Al.
dermen voting the same az on the whole.
falors tax.
The vote had hardly been declared
when Alderman Duncan moved 70 amend
by making the ta1 1928. This move was
doieated, aud Alderman Myers then
moved 70 make n $50. The vote was the
same a. on tbo original motion, and AZ a
Iatt resort Alderman O'COunOr moved 10
g1afe u sou The ayes aud nays wore
hGaln called with toe same result
h was pretty evident that the
nJHlJ N tho Council was Tor high
lieense and Intended 10 mako I'd f.N0
nla.iman hamilton, Who had thus nr
ANHel % phft in tbr debate. moved that
Heaasf lf lrrd IN $500 and called i0r
lpfsNfH, The ayes and nagu were
f-ifl hll ihs motion was carried hy a