The record-union., 1891-07-22
COUNTY LICENSE ORDINANCE.
No Petitions Filed Yesterday for
Its Repeal.
And Some Persons Think There Will
Be None-Attorney johnson
Not On Hand.

Yesterday was the day set by the Super
visors for the presentation by the Liquor
Dealers Association of their proposed
petitions for the repeal of the new ordl-
nance increasing county saloon licenses
from Sl5 to $50 per quarter. When the
board met at 10 o'clock the room was well
filled with ladies and gentlemen from the
country. representing Grange and Alli-
ance organizations, who had assembled
for the purpose of arguing against any
modification or the repeal of the ordi-
nance. Prominent among the visitors
were Thomas Mcconnell, William Johns
ton, S. S. Holl, Z. NJ. Leitch and others.
The liquor men were holding caucus
out on the sidewalk, but entered the
room when the board announced its
readinance for business. Chairman Greer
requested the Clerk to read any COM
munication in reference to the license
ordinance that might be before the board.
Clerk Coons read a communication
from Sacramento Grange, No. II, thank
ing the members of the board for their
action in passing the recent ordinance in
creaSing the license for saloons to $50 per
quarter.
The communication was, on motion of
Mr.. Jenkins, ordered spread upon the
minutes.
Chairman Greer then called up the
matter of the hearing OF petitions in re-
gard to the license ordinance, the intro
duction of which had been set for that
time.
w. A Anderson, on behalf of the
Liquor Dealers Association, addressed
the board, saying that Grove l.. Johnson,
of counsel for the association, desired to be
ord tsraf
case on trial in the Superior Court, and
could not be on hand. He (Anderson)
had already made his argument before
the board, and there was nothing more
for him to say on the subject. The petit
ton which the Liquor Dealers Associa-
tion intended to present was not yet
ready.
Chairman Greer remarked that all citi-
Zens have the right of petition at any and
all times, and when the associations
petition should come before the board
Mr. Johnson and anybody else could
be heard on the subject.
Supervisor Bates said he considered that
there was nothing before the board
Chairman Greer said he so understood
the situation. The ordinance that had
been passed is now law, and. there was
nothing to be done but to set for hearing
any petition that may come before the
board, of which due notice would be
given.
>. ). Holl made few remarks on the
subject in the nature Of further inquiry
as to the real situation. He was assured
by the Chairman of the board that there
was nothing before the board.
Thomas Mcconnell said he was disap-
pointed at the hearing not being had at
that time as a large number of ladies and
gentlemen had come from various por-
lions of the county in order to be heard
an opposition to any petition or arguments
that may be presented on behalf of the
liquor dealers. These people have no
time to spare from their home duties, and
1t was a disappointment to them that an
opportunity to be heard in support of the
new ordinance was not TO be afforded.
Chairman Greer said that he did not
believe there was any cause for anxiety
on the part Of the friends of the ordin-
ance. He did not believe there was a
,Inember of the board who would, by a
sweep of his pen, wipe out that ordin-
ance. The Supervisors had placed them
selves on record on the license question,
and for his part he was proud of what
had been done. 1t remained with the
people to say whether or not the ordin-
ance shall remain in force. He knew that
there were some precincts in which the
people do not want any saloons at all.
'The ordinance is now the law, and so far
as he could Judge, it would so remain.
He believed the saloon men would not
present any petition for the repeal of the
ordinance. In his opinion, they are will
ing TO let well enough alone. The board
has the power TO make the license $3.50
per quarter, or any other sum. He could
assure the people present from the coun-
Try that If any petition for the re-
peal of the ordinance, or any portion OF
1t, should be presented to the board, they
would have due notice Of the time set for
its hearing.
Mr.. Mcconnell was about TO make
another speech expressive of his fear that
the friends of the ordinance might not
and hearing of petitions for its repeal
coming from the liquor men, when
Supervisor Bates remarked:
''Iou needn't be afraid, Mr.. McCon-
nell. There won't be any petition pre-
scented until the liquor men know they
will have three votes in the board to re-
peal the ordinance. They're not blamed
tools-they know what they're doing
and you take my word for it, there won't
be petition of that kind come in here
unless they know the result will be in
their favor"
do you mean to tell me-" said Mr..
Mcconnell, that the liquor men will
know what the action Of the board will
be? Would any member of the board
commit himself on the outside as to his
action in the board?"
Mr.. Bates gazed at Mr.. Mcconnell foI
n full minute. He looked the long
granger over from his feet to the top oi
his head, some six and one-half feet dis
giant Then he said:
Pm surprised, Mr.. Mcconnell. that a
man who's been in politics and public
life as many years as YOU have, and who's
figured around conventions, should ask
such question. OF course people know
how Supervisors are going to vote
These liquor men know how the board
stands, and don't you forget il. And
less they know how it's a-coming out"
After some further remarks. Super
visor Black moved that at least months
notice be given of the hearing of any
such petition as had been referred TO.
Carried.
The crowd in attendance then dis
persed. and the board set about its regu-
lar business.