Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-01-19
HIGH LIQUOR LICENSE.
Nineteen Hundred Citizens Demand 1t
Passage.


Passage.
The Board of City Trustees met in regu-
lar session at 10 a. N. yesterday, all the
members present.
Sparrow Smith presented a petition
signed by 1900 resident citizens and tax
payers The petition read as follows:
To the Honorable, the Board of Trustees
of the City of Sacramento: We, the under
signed taxpayers and voters of Sacramento
city, do most respectfully petition your
honorable body to pass an ordinance liking
the rate of license for the sale of spirituous
or malt liquors, at retail, al $50per month. ="
The petition consisted Of roll of legal
cap nearly fifty feet in length, and was
neatly tied up with scarlet ribbon. Mr..
Smith, in presenting the petition, said that
it was not move of the temperance peo-
pie, but expressive of the desire of a large
majority of the best element in the COM
munity that the Trustees should raise the
license from IS per month TO $50. The
Citizens Committee had given it their
sanction, and ne was but voicing
VERY GENERAL PUBLIC SENTIMENT
When he claimed that it was a step in the
direction of economy and good govern
ment to regulate, and by so doing, sup
press, certain class of saloons, or dives
that were nothing short of a disgrace to
our civilization. He was not blind TO the
fact that owners of property who rented to
the class referred to would oppose the pas
sage of such an ordinance, on the ground
that the business, at a high rate OF
license, would in many cases cease,
and the landlord thus lose his monthly
rental. This he prophesied, would not
long be the case, for other and more re-
spectacle business would take their place,
and in time all be largely benefited If
the city, he contended, had to pay the
rental thus lost, for several months, it would
be far better-the public would be largely
the gamer thereby. 1t was not a plea to
the passions or prejudices, nor an intent
to destroy legitimate business, but to do
good Tor the entire community, and place
Sacramento upon plane of responsibility
and prosperity never enjoyed.
He called the attention Of the Board of
Trustees to what had been done in other
cities in California and referred TO Los
Angeles rs a worthy example for Sacra-
mento to follow. He claimed that in com
ing before the Board, presenting the pc
ltIon, and demanding for it consideration
and action, they were not going beyond the
privilege accorded
TO EVERY LAW-ABIDTNG CITIZEN.
With them it was no idle fancy. no SEN
timental plea, no bid for notoriety, but 4
positive and direct appeal to the better
Judgment of the Board of Trustees, whose
sworn duty was to enforce existing laws.
and pass such ordinances as are necessary
to promote, protect and insure the happi-
ness, welfare and prosperity of all
Felix Tracy, E. B, Hussey p. Z. Plat
and others present Endorsed the remarks of
Mr.. Smith, and urged many additional rea-
sons why the ordinance asked for should
be passed.
After all had been said that the gentle
men who presented the petition thought
necessary, the room for a moment was
silent. Mayor Brown at last broke the
silence by saying that the petition would
be filed and the matter deferred for future
consideration.
After the Committee had Withdrawn
from the Board the Trustees had lively
consultation regarding the matter, and all
agreed that the best, and only thing for
them to do, was to submit it to the people
at the March election. Cne of them re-
marked Il think it is a good thing, and
VIII be carried nine to one at the election,
but that will take the responsibility off our
shoulders. Another Trustee thought $50
perhaps "leetle to high" and another was
mot in favor of it, unless it worked the
closing up of Loui Strauss hurdv gurdv.
free and easy establishment, which he
doubted. Fit would close up that place
he was in favo' of it.n
The Board adjourned until 10 A. NJ.
to-day, when they will consider the ordi-
nance, which if passed, drives all of the
Cinnamon out of the CITY