Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-04-23
Judge White Sets Forth in Detail Why He
Did as He Did-Undiscriminafing
Brewers, BOttling Wholesalers
and Bucket and Bottle Re-
rnilers Given Reasona.


Together with the license decisions, Judge
White hands down a memorandum, opinion,
explanation or charge to the applicants and
the public, setting forth just why the Court
decided as it did in certain clearly defined
cases. This memorandum, or charge, as the
readers from diverse standpoints may regard
it, is certainly full of interest. Whether he
be dealer, an applicant knocked out, or
only an observer, each citizen will read it
all, as showing just ''why this is thus"
Judge Whites full memorandum is, there
fore, appended:
Unexpectedly and much against my will 1
was thrown into the License Court this year
and had to hold it alone. 1 felt the great re-
sponsibility, and knew how the Court might be
criticised and misrepresented. But a Judge
who shrinks from any duty, or is deferred
from a faithful performance of it from fear of
personal consequences, Is unworthy of his Of
flee
At the beginning of the court and during its
sittings the Department of Public Safety of
the city of Pittsburg presented certain papers
in open court complaining of numerous viola
tions of the law by brewers wholesale and re-
tail dealers, and calling upon the Court to aid
the department in suppressing these evils and
securing good municipal government. These
papers and the duty of the Court under the law
required searching and thorough examina-
tion Of the applicants. Nor could they COM
plain of this. The law requires certain quail
hcations in the applicants. and if they have
had license that they shall have observed all
the laws on the subject. By their applications
they assert in court that they possess these
qualifications, and have faithfully kept these
laws. 1t is the right and duty of the Court to
give them thorough cross-examination.
A CLEAR DISTINCTION.
The law requires that all applicants for retail
license shall be citizens, and men of temperate
habits and good moral character" also that
the Court shall refuse the license when it is not
necessary for the accommodation of the public
and the entertainment Of strangers ana trap
eIerS." This is the imperative mandate of the
statute. The evils of intemperance and exces-
sive drinking had become SO great and wide
spread that the public welfare required more
stringent regulations on the subject. The acts
of 1887 were passed TO check these evils
The act in reference to distillers brewers
wholesale dealers and bottlers was before the
Legislature at the same time as the retail act
and should be construed in connection with il
both as parts of the new svstem-for in all
these cases the Court is required to hear re-
monstrances and objections, and exercise.a
sound discretion. II these acts are too strin-
gent the remedy is with the Legislature The
Court should administer them in their true in
strue these acts in accordance with any per-
sonal views on the subject or stretch them to
meet any supposed public demand
As many applicants were refused. and some
VINO hao license last year, It is proper to state
tne grounos OF the Courts action; not the rea-