The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1886-08-06

In the city Of Kenosha are fourteen
saloons, paying a license of $500 each,
or an aggregate of $1,000. The popu-
lation of the city is something less
than 5000, but for our purpose we will
assume those figures in round numbers,
which, divided by IA, would give one
saloon for each 400 inhabitants. Of
this number. it would be safe to say
that three-fourths are women and
children who do not patronize saloons,
thus, reducing the number to 100 each.
Of this 100, at moderate estimate, it
would be safe to say that not more
than one-half are drinkers and patrons
of saloons, and the average actual
number thus becomes reduced to so
each, or an aggregate of 700, equal to
one in eight Of the whole population,
which, for the sake of our own repu-
tation, we hope is liberal estimate.
The number Of voters in ordinary
communities is reckoned at about one
in five of the entire population, which
would give us in round numbers, say
1,100 voters. 1t would be safe to say
that not more than one half of these
voters-550 were patrons, but the bal
ance of the 700 might be made ND of
non-y0ters and persons outside of the
city, thus holding the aggregate good,
or near enough for our purpose, which,
divided between the IA saloons, would
give 30 patrons to each, in accordance
with the first estimate. We have also
the estimate of one who was for many
years in the traffic, but now retired, and
in position to know whereof he gave
his opinion. Dividing the license of
$500 among the patrons, would make
a fee of $40 to each patron. What
other business could stand such a tax?
This amount must be paid and also the
expenses of the business before any
margin can be reached for the dealer.
In the city are eighteen grocery
stores, which must be patronized by
the whole community-men, women
and children-for all must have gro
ceries-giving a patronage of 81 to
each, besides the country trade, which
might be safely estimated to carry the
patronage of each to more than 400.
Let us suppose each grocer to be COM
PEELED to pay the same license of $500,
equal to $1.25 per capita, how many
would continue to do business under
the burden? We have four meat
markets, which are supposed to carry
the patronage of the whole community,
besides country trade. The city pa
irons alone would average ], 400 to each.
Suppose they were required to pay the
same license as the saloons, would not
the price of porterhouse steak be be.
yond the reach of the laboring man?
Six years ago there were % saloons.
each paying license of $50, an aggre-
gate of $2,1O0. Estimating the same
number of patrons then as now-7O0-
the per capita license was So. If the
business can prosper under the present
per capita license of $40, what must
have been the margin under the former
license of 80 per capita?
When, in the spring of 1884, the IL
cense was increased from SIS to $500,
one veteran in the traffic complained
that it "aOaS takssg the bread out ofthe
mouths Of his children" AS he still
continues in the business. it is pre-
sumed that his children haze already
starred, or are fed on something cheap
er than bread.
Three or four years ago careful esti-
mate was made by one of our citizens,
amply qualified, but fair and impartial,
that the average yearly sales of the %
saloons amounted to not less than