Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-30

/ 80 departments, ana mat sum was ADDED
TO the estimate for paving streets. Only
a few changes were made in the taxes.
The tax on real property was reported at
21X per cent, and the rate was
passed. The rate for personal prop
erty was reported at one-half of
per cent. and Alderman Myers moved to
increase it to three-fourths of per cent.
On a vote being taken Aldermen NJ yers,
Nell, Nichols and Deirt voted in the
affirmative and the rest of the board in
the negative and the motion was lost.
The tax for retail liquor dealers was re-
ported at 5000, which was 500 less than
the tax for 1885, Alderman Bogart
moved that the license be Increased to
$500. He stated that he thought the
present tax had been a good thing tor the
city. 1t increased the revenue, as the
books would show. and it decreased the
number OF disreputable places. Liquor
is luxury and ought to pay and is able
TO pay q reasonably large tax.
Alderman Myers replied championing
reduction. He declared that there are
now as many barrooms as when the tax
was $1l5. Some groceries have been
closed up, perhaps, he remarked, bus
none even of the low barrOoms. The Ii
quor business should, perhaps, pay little
more tax than other busiDessse, inasmuch
rs it needs more police. A large dry
goods store is charged only $40 specific
tax, and the Alderman held that a $500
tax was not equs BILE treatment for the
saloon-keeper. The wholesale dealers
are willing 10 'sv 1900, he re-
marked. He dvelt on what he
termed the attempt OF the high license
men TO grind down the retail liquor
dealer and weed him OUT. The business,
he observed, is legal, and Council has no
right to weed it out. The ayes and navs
lAA Co. fl,1
creasing the tax and the vote resulted in
a tie, as follows:
Ayes-Aldermen Hamilton, Thomas
Mills, Bogart. Sheldon and Wells.
Nays-Aldermen Nell. O'Connor, Dun
can, Myers, Derst ana Nichols.
There were six votes in the affirmative
and six in the negative. Mayor Lester's
vote was necessary to decide whe her the
tax should be $500 and he voted mo-"
which defeated Alderman Bogart's mo-
ton.
When the ordinance came up for it's
passage Alderman Thomas stated that he
could not vote for 1t in its then present
shape. "The ordinance as it stood before
the liquor tax was changed from $500 to
$500 was barely sufficient to meet the
budget" he continued. The reduction OF
the liquor tax will decrease the revenue
of the city S17,750, ne estimated. That will
an ordinance in which there was deficit
unDrovided for. He mentioned two WAYS
by which the deficit could be met. One
was the suggestion of Alderman Myers
to increase the tax on real property from
one-halt to three-quarters of l per cent.
Another way would be to change the dis.
count allowed on taxes promptly paid
from 10 per cent. to per cent. He was
not prepared to say that he would favor
either plan, but he mentioned both az
suggestions.
Alderman Myers figured the possible
deficit at 1000, the amount which the
city may lose in revenue from the reduc-
tion in liquor licenses. He stated that
some of the committees OF Council spent
100000 above the appropriations for this
year, and besides the city invested $45. OOO
In land In the extension.
The high license, If continued, would
be apt to drive forty or fifty out OF bust
ness. Alderman Myers suggested that an
extra levy might be made during the
year if it should appear that there was
likely 10 be a deficit.
Alderman Thomas thought that would
be poor plan and not creditable to the
city.
The ordinance passed, with Aldermen
Thomas, Bogart, Sheldon and Wells voting
in the negative.
MINOR MATTERS CONSIDERED.
The petition OF j. III. Estill and others
for the incorporation OF the Savannah
Street Railway Company was reported
upon unfavorably by the special commit
tee to which IL was referred.
Petitions of the City and Suburban
Railway Company aud of the Savannah
and Rural Street Railway Company for
permission to lay tracks in the streets
were refused.
Accounts against the city amounting
to $23,01S 10 were passed for payment.
The 41aHnce Committee reported ad-
verselyon the petition of the Naval Stores
Manufacturers Protective Association
In reference to inspection. The COM
mitiee recommended that no change be
made in the present ordinance.
A petition signed by a number of
BARRIERS and citizens asking Council to
pass an ordinance prohibiting the keep
ing open OF barber shops on SUNDAYS was
referred TO the Committee on Police.
After the regular business was over,
which was not until about 10 O'clock this
morning, an appeal case from the Mayors
Court was taken up. The parties inter-
ested were from the country. Council
was asked to remit fine which had been
imposed upon John Knight for a failure
10 report the marks of cows hide to The
Clerk OF the market.
Several witness were examined and the
fine was RENTED.