Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-07-13
A WET PETITION
The Retailers Will Petition
the Court for a Revision
LIST OF THE REFUSED.
Such Action is Urged on the Ground
of Public Necessity,
CORRECT THE EXISTING ABUSES.
From 1900 to 10000 Signers Have Been
LIST OF THE REFUSED.
TO CORRECT THE EXISTING ABUSES.
From 1900 to 10000 Signers Have Been
Secured in the County.
AN APPEAL is NOT CONTEMPLATED

The most reputable retail liquor men in
Allegheny county who were refused licenses
are about ready to present petition to the
Court, asking for review of the list. 1t
was the intention to submit the papers this
morning, but, owing to the illness of Judge
White, they will hardly be presented before
Monday. Attorneys John Robb, Charles
Montooth and c. F. McKenna held a short
consultation yesterday to determine the
time when to hand in the petition. Mr..
Josiah Cohen, who is also employed, is out
of the city.
The idea is not to appeal to the Supreme
Court to reverse the lower Court as has been
enormously published, but the petitioners
merely ask for q revision of the refused
license list for certain good reasons.
GOOD MEN IN CHARGE.
Some OF the best retail men in the country
have had the matter in charge, and attended
to the circulation of the petition. Among
the local retailers on the committee are
Nick Young and Tom Delaney. From IT,
900 to 20, 900 signers have been secured, and
Nick Young said IL the members had worked
harder more names could have been added,
but the liquor men thought il was not neces-
sary
Mr.. Young,in speaking Of what they intended
te DO last night, said: 1t is not true that a
syndicate OF lawyers sent US a circular letter
agreeing to take up our cases for a good re-
tainer, neither is the petition the work Of the
Retailers Association. A few o. us conceived
the idea, and we have made an effort to sift out
all the saloon keepers who keep speak easies-'
Only the best men will be allowed to sign.
Two months have now elapsed since the
licenses were gra nted. and we think we can
show the Court that public necessity demands
more saloons. A number of evils and abuses
OF the license system have sprung up. Liquor
is sold i'll icitly in numerous places, and the
county and city derive no revenues. These
men are irresponsible, and openly violate the
law.
AN ADVANTAGE IT MIGHT BE.
"If the licenses were increased this evil could
be remedied. have also seen liquor peddled
from house to house, and offered for sale. We
believe If the Judges were acquainted with
these facts they might be led to revise the list.
Besides it must be patent to them. as it is to
the people, that monopoly OF the business In
the country has been created"
From 200 to $50 saloon keepers are interested
in the movement If the Judges should con-
sent to review the list of refused each man
would appear personally before the Court and
present his case. The liquor men know that
the decision of the Supreme Court In the Rade-
baugh case is against them, and any
attempt to appeal would be fruitless.
As petitioners they haven't any legal rights,
and if the Judges refuse to listen to the petit
ton that settles it. 1t will be presented ON
public grounds and for the good of the commu-
nifty.
CAUSE OF THEIR REVIVAL.
From another source it was learned that the
Aao H.
Wholesale cases has agitated the retailers. The
latter discover that the former in many in
stances are only retailers, and they think it is
not just that a man should be allowed to run q
jug line and class it as wholesale trade.
AT the conference of attorneys yesterday
none OF the liquor men were present. One of
the attorneys said after the meeting that inn
mediately after the decision of tho License
Court had been rendered, the retailers organ
lzed for the purpose of securing either legis-
lative or judicial aid. They have concluded to
appeal fairly and squarely to the Court to see
what can be done in the way of granting more
licenses.
REASONS FOR DELAY.
While talking to another attorney OF the
liquor dealers, the gentleman remarked to a
DISPATCH reporter: "Of course / am not Ger.
tain when the petition will be presented to the
lower courts. The first thing which will pre-
vent it is the absence of Mr.. Josiah Cohen, the
senior counsel. and again we are waiting for
Judge White TO reappear in court, because it
would only be common courtesy due TO him to
have him consider the matter"
But is it possible for Judge White to even
consider the petition of the retail liquor
dealers at this timer"
''Oh, yes! The court is what we call con-
tinuous court and the Judges can grant and re-
fuse licenses whenever they think fit"
But would it be consistent with Judge
Whites past action as regards the granting Of
licenses to consider the petitions of the retail
liquor dealers?"
WHY 1T is DIFFERENT
II do net see anything wrong in the matter
The Judge believed that the Brooks law intend
ed curtailing of the number of saloons, and
he believed that the law demanded certain
qualifications on the part of the applicant But
inasmuch as the Supreme Court has ruied
otherwise. the Judge may.only be too willing to
modify his decisions in accordance But mind |
you. the number selected by the retailers will |
be properly examined by counsel. We will not |
allow name Of any man to go on the list who |
Is not law-abiding citizen and when we do not |
consider a WOrthv 0f holdipO n =