New-York tribune., 1888-03-25
FLORIDA.
HIGH LICENSE AND LOCAL OPTION.
NUMBER OF INHABITANTS To THE SQUARE MILE, A
LARGEST CITY, KEY WEST, 8, 9,S00-TOTAL PoPU-
LATIoN, 2e9.493-AREA, $3.50


LATIoN, geo 493-AREA, $3.50
SQUIRE MILES.
Persons engaged in large proportion of the various
kinds Of employment trade obliged to pay an
annual license fee for the privilege In Florida. This
rule includes "merchanis,' "sorchcepersv drug
gists' sewing machine, lightningrod and insurance
agents. "lsnd- agents. keepers Of livery stables
bankers and brokers'" graded according TO the
amount Of business from 500 down. and many Other
occupations Among the revenue laws Is the follow
Ing: mo merchant, storckeepcr other person shall
keep for sale sell pistols, bowie knives or dirk
knives, without first paying license tax Of S100'
The license act affecting the sale of liquors provides
that dealers In spluous, vinoas malt liquors shall
pay license tax of S4oo in each county for each
place Of business Dstillers of spirituods
liquors shall pay license tax OF $500 In each county
for each place of business. Druggists may
sell such mixtures made oficInal in the United
States Dispensatory without being required take
out license 10 sell spirtuous, vnous malt liquors.
In any county one-fourth of the registered voters
may by written application cali upon the board of
County Commissioners to hold election dclermn
by majority vote whe'ltI the sale Of liquors shall be
permitted In that county for the ensuing tuo years.
The penalty for selling In dry" counties Is fine
not exceeding $500 or Imprisonment not exceeding
six months, or both. ANY person who sells liquor
without license In county where the licensing OF the
busnoss Is legal, may be fined for misdeme in
. not exceeding twice the amount of the license
fee The formsr law still continues In force requiring
the applicant to present to the County Commissioners
when he seeks license petition signed by majority
of tho registered voters Of the precinct
GOVERNOR PERRY'S POSITION.
Tho following response was forwarded to THE TRIB-
uNE BY Mr. Wombwel, the private secretary Of Gov
ernor Perry. who too III to answer personally
"a u does to certain degree.
l2l That remains & to os seen, as the present law
't35 The last query be better answered after
our present laws have been thoroughly tested
REPUBLICANS.
O. T: A. Bielby holds to the following opinions
a. From present observations my Impressions are
thai II viii entirely suppress the use of fermened
very largely decrease the consumption OF vnous and
reduce ,hs amount Of asohoi,o & liquors drank BY
DO away wifi he common forms Of street drunksn-
ness write this for for hs e.. counties that have voted
(e) The old laws that are retained on the statute
book together with tho county and precinct option
fect as the present state Of public opinion will per-
%, The law should be changed in one particular
only to allow the salo under proper restrictions
sn n oho a'RSs Cs s ay
"y6s Be- sIn'Gas Isnd. Psaisp''''' sisp T. F. A BELLY
s c. Cobb writes
(2D i Is my opinion that 1t is
lS DO changes are needed As It now stands the
bined and the elections, under the Law being removed
from Stale National election days decided al
least without partisan bias. The measure OF ehec-
tive enforcement Of the law Is the moral conscious
ness that any community is willing to attain That
must be determined by its own people. thank you
Tor this good work of presenting the legislative posi-
fon and opinions OF the whole country in order to So
cure the survival Of the httcst' 6 {. COBB.
Pensacola Fla.
William Watkins Hicks sends the following answer
~ Yes; Even where, in dry' towns. the law IS
evaded, drunkenness Is peIceptibly decreased, and
l9nor drinking Is driven from The light of day. The
effect Of the Law upon the laboring classes Is most
marked and gratifying ! know coored whO
now own homes ard are thrifty. healthy and happy,
owing 10 this new honest tead laws
~ fos, 10 the present condition OF public selt-
ment. That sentiment IS great moral atmosp phere
and. II invoked, will enforce the law. The cnfore
meLi OF the lsw-admitiing evasons-ls the practical
abolition Of the saloon and the suppression Of public
dram-driDking. The Law Is great benefcence the
child aud guardian Of public good, and think Of no
IL bo enforced ". W. HICKS.
Fort Mason, Fla
DEMOCRATS.
T. G. Love writes
This county and three others In which practice are
what are known dry counties" But In all candor
cannot see that lnemperance IS In the least pro-
bibiied or temperance repressed. ] am fully per
This will diminish the number Of barrooms, place them
In the hands or moro responsible persons, aud al 'he
same time obyia,c the necessity Of requiring those
who VIII drink from procuring liquor IN Quantities
OF liquor 10 CITIES and towns Of size where iheso
police regulations 10 punish dsorderly conduct
wond also requiie Equ0r dealers 10 give bends son
d:onaI to keep orderly house, and DOT TO sell Or
penalties. ! an temperance man but not pro
bhfiOnst. because reason and observation feach me