The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-03-09

had spoken. The Democrats had acted,
not rashly, but carefully. The opinions OF
all interested had been consulted, and the
bill offered was the result
Senator Pfeiffer insisted on discussing
the various bills offered by Republicans
last year, and finally found himself wound
up in double bow knot by Senator Gard
ner.
Senator Wyckoff, one Of the early Demo
cratic kickers, said that when the people
came to understand the bill in its present
shape they would thoroughly approve it.
The meaning of the local option victories
IN some counties was that the people
wanted higher legislation on the liquor
question and it was for that reason that
the bill was presented. The bill suppressed
the hurtful jug taverns. It-would make
the people happy and bring honor on those
who voted for it and dishonor on those
who voted against it,
Senator Gardner took occasion to utter
an epigram. Senator Adrian having de-
clared that committees could not raise
license fees to prohi bitory rates and Sen
ator Edwards that they could, he de-
scribed the bill as "a party combination
for speculative results"
no FREE RUM
Senator Werts made the closing speech.
"All," he said, "f favor the sanctity of the
Sabbath, the upholding of the church, the
pTcScf NdblOu Oltble uOI16 anu bIle TESTIFY
ton Of the liquor traffic, although we may
differ as to methods. If this bill had been
presented last year it would have been
pronounced most stringent measure.
The efficiency and wisdom of legislation
can be judged only by its effects and con-
sequences, and when we propose new
legislation the question arises What are
the effects Of the law passed last year
When the law was proposed it had pro-
vision for II vote on the question of the sale
of intoxicating liquors. In obedience to
an unseen power this provision was
stricken out and subterfuge introduced
making the question license or no
license
''Not understanding this legislative Jug
glery in the counties where elections have
been held, prohibition and free rum joined
hands, and the result has been to close
licensed, well regulated saloons and
hotels, and to open tayerns, with un-
restricted sale of free rum all over the
land. We saw that the condition of things
offer is the present bill. 1t proposes, in
stead of closing licensed houses and per-
mitting unrestricted sales of rum, a rigid,
well regulated system. Take it i'll its
length and breadth, it does nothing but
substitute good well conceived license
system in place of the system now pre-
yailing, which closes well regulated places
and opens free rum shops"
THE BILL PASSED.
All the eleven Democrats voted for the
bill and the Republicans against it. Then
Senator Edwards clinched and fastened
the vote by motions to lay on the table and
to reconsider.
The bill has been printed and described
so often that only brief summary of its
principal provisions is necessary.
1t fixes the minimum license fees as
they are now.
It requires license fee of 800 for the
sale of liquors in quantities between one
quart and five gallons. This is directed
against jug taverns.
1t provides that where licenses are
granted by the Court of Common Pleas
elections may be held at intervals of three
years to fix the minimum rate.
Two violations of the law forfeit the
license.