New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-28
HIGH LICENSE IN BOSTON.
THE NEW LAW STOPS MANY OF THE
LIQUOR STORES.
ONLY SEVEN HUNDRED AND EIGHTY LICENSES
TO BE GRANTED-SoME OF TIE WEALTH.
EST RUMsELLERs THE FIRST TO FEEL
TILE WEIGHT TILE LAW.

EST RUMSELLERs THE FIRST TO FEEL
THE WEIGHT OF THE LAW.
IBY TELEGRAPH THE 1RrBuSEI
Boston, April 27-The rumseIers OF Boston
have been in an uncomfortable frame of mind for
several months, owing to the enactment last year
of new License bill, which not only increased
the votes considerably, but also reduced the num-
Der OF possible licenses to about $50, whereas
there are at present not far from 1000 licensed
liquor dealers in Boston. The new law reduces
the number of possible liquor dealers in any COM
munity to one for every 500 inhabitants, men,
women and children Every dealer has hoped
that he would be Of the lucky ones. and as
the day of action drew the excitement grew
apace until it eliminated yesterday in grand
collapse for many. Some Of the most ehborateIy
fitted bars in Boston good business streets have
been refused license this year. Just what policy
the Commissioners pursue is unknown, but the
responsibility of the men conducting the saloons,
their observance OF the condition of their old
licenses, and the protests from occupants of adj
acent buildings, have all had their weight
The power 10 issue licenses is in
the hands of the Police Commissioners, who are
appointed by the Governor and therefore not
controlled, or necessarily influenced, by local
politicians, and free from all entangling al
hances Under their management the Boston
rolice force is much more efficient and respectable
than it was ~ cnforces the laws against gambling
and Illegal liquors selling more vigorously than
under the old system, where the policemcn's
official head was in danger if he meddled with
rascal who happened to have influence at the City
Hall.
One noted liquor-dealer in Boston, who keeps
three big establishments, IN WESTINGHOUSE.
one in Green-st, and one in some other part
of the city, who has always been a Democrat,
voted the Republican ticket at the last municipal
election, under the impression that by 30 doing
he would stand better chance with the Police
Commissioners. After his election he sad that the
price of his vote and his influence three
licenses under the new law and the power TO name
the next superintendent of streets How many
licenses he may receive IS not known yet, but lac
has lost one of his old ones, at least, and prob
ably will not receive more than one.
The operation Of the new law will be watched
with interest by the public, for there are a good
many thoughtful men who declare that most OF
the licenses are marked up too high and that the
number is too limited The liquor dealers
Iedgcd about by a good many restrictions which
have been enacted by Republican Legislatures in
the last dozen years.
Included in the list Of applicants who were
refused Il license is Colonel Lawrence j. Logan
who can no longer do business n his large store
al Dover and Washington SIS. He is one of the
leading Democratic politicians of the city ana
has served two terms in the Governors Council.
Michael Dohcrty, who in life had the reputation
of being the leading dealer IN liquors at the Hub,
bcqucathcd 10 his heirs three stores. Two of
these, one in Endicott-St and another in
North-st., among the applicants refused. The
Fla lmouth House, in CauSewav-st, must, after
May /, refuse all liquor refreshments containing
above ] per cent of alcohol. Other houses re-
fused are the PheniX House, in Green
st., one Of the oldest in the city:
the Plymouth House, Miwood Hotel, the
Lowell House, Robinson House and dozen more.
fair estimate of the loss TO those who have been
refused a license in fixtures and income places
the sum at not less than $1,000 900. About
$500 barkecpers will be thrown out Of employ
ment.
The $50 persons who have received licenses
must of necessity feel that they have been highly
favored. In addition to their regular trade, these
licensed places will have 10 cater to the wants OF
the patrons Of the places which must be closed.
This will divide among the $50 licensed saloons
S. 800 600 which otherwise would not come to