The record-union., 1891-08-03
THAT LIQUOR LICENSE.
The Saloon-Keepers Claim it Does
Them an Injustice.
Messrs. Anderson and johnson Ad-
dress Public Meeting-Willtng
to Pay $50 Quarter.

There was fair gathering of citizens
at the meeting held on Saturday evening
at the Clunie Opera House, under the
auspices of the Liquor Dealers Associa=
ton, but not nearly so many as the pro-
moters of the meeting hoped to see. In
the absence of President II. T. Dillman,
who was i'll, B. B. Brown of the Capital
Hotel presided, and several members of
the association had seats on the platform.
After music by the Hussar Band the
Chairman introduced w. A. Anderson,
who spoke briefly. He discussed the
features of the new license ordinance in a
vigorous manner, holding that it was
unfair in many particulars, and especi-
ally in discriminating as to what class OF
saloons should be allowed to remain open
all night, while others were forced to
close at midnight.
The speaker said the liquor dealers
were willing to pay an increased license,
but they felt that the Trustees had gone
too far in raising it at one jump from S15
to S45.
MIR. JoRNsoN's ARGUMENT.
Grove L. Johnson was the next and
last speaker. He spoke in low, even
tone, and without his usual fervor and
warmth. He said he represented the de-
sires of the Liquor Dealers Association.
1t was composed of law-abiding citizens,
who deprecated litigation. They were
willing to consent to a higher license
than the old rate, but they did not like a
uniform rate-they thought that their
business, which was by license legalized,
should be treated as are some others, and
| the license rate be graduated according
to the business done. A man. they
"a dn hIISi of HaXy
| should not be charged the same rate as
one whose income is 500 day. No law
! IS possible of enforcement if not backed
| by the sentiment Of the people.
! The question is, he said, is this
new ordinance so fortified? The Liq-
| uor Dealers Association instructed
him to say that it would join with the
authorities in the suppression of the
| dives and the disreputable places. The
| ordinance the association believes to be
! too sweeping, burdening the small no
| more than the large dealers. 1t would
not of itself suppress the bad places. The
Trustees have the right to pass the ordi-
nance and regulate the traffic-that was
not denied, but they had also the power
to refuse to license disreputable places.
/ The question is: Why not do so?
Mr.. Johnson regretted that so few peo-
| pie were present, but to those there the
liquor dealers said, why not meet half
way and adjust this difficulty?''
| Why have litigation, which is so un-
certain? Juries might not convict; in
deed, one had already refused to do so.
Whether it is better to go on and Iitigate,
or settle on fair basis-that is the ques-
| ton the liquor dealers put. He was
sorry more people We're not present to
hear this proposition, but it was made,
and the dealers ask, "Is it not fair? Is it
I fair to raise out of their business about
! half-he had not the exact figures at
| hand-of all the city revenue?"
That is the question the dealers put to
| the people, and they await their verdict
with confidence in their sense of Justice
and fair play.
WILLING TO PAY THIRTY DOLLARS.
| City Trustee Mclaughlin stated to a
! RECORD UNION reporter after the meet
| ing that the liquor dealers would consent
! to license of $50 quarter
! s''This," said the Major, sis the figure
| placed it at in my ordinance which is
| the one now in force, except that the
| license was made SIS. l then thought,
and l think now, that it would be doing
pretty well to double the license as a
starter. If this were done, and the plan
| should be found to work well after a
! years trial, then it might be raised. The
liquor men tell me they would pay a $50
rate, and / think the license should be
fixed at that figure. l may move to
amend the ordinance in that particular,
! for | believe in reaching reforms grad
ually."
1t has been learned from other sources
also that the liquor men have agreed to
submit to license of $50 quarter if the
| Trustees will put the rate at these fig
ures.