Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1892-02-04
DEMOCRATIC LICENSE BILL.

DeeH aSreel upon DY tne Gem 0cratl,
caucus of both houses. 1t retains tn,
name of Schmidt bill, and is wei
named. The Davenport senator is the
chairman of the committee for the sup
preston of intemperance and derives
much satisfaction from his efforts in
behalf of true temperance. For two
weeks prior to the converting of the
legislature and during the first few days
of the session, this great temperance
advocate was on prolonged spree. If
rumor may be relied upon, and the re-
port is fully credited about the capitol,
he was rescued from distracting visions
of snakes and demons by the interposi.
tion of his friends. 1t was, then, fine
stroke of sarcasm to place him at the
head of the temperance committee
where he can serve as chairman and a
horrible example, as well. But Mr.
Schmidt bears fully accredited creden-
tials as the temperance representative
of the democratic party, and as soon as
these demoniacal visions were dispelled
he produced his immaculate license bill
which both democratic caucuses have
given their true temperance seal of ap.
proval. 1t is the bill upon which Coy.
Boies made his last campaign, so that
all are fairly familiar with its pro-
visions.
1t provides first that one.ffth of the
qualified voters of any city, or incor.
porated town to the council thereof
may secure an election for and against
license by petition. The original bill
made two.fifths petition necessary,
but the number was reduced TO faciI-
tate true temperance. Second, the
same proceedings may be employed in
the county, outside the cities and towns.
The election must be special elec.
ton, held at the regular polling places
and not oftener than once in two years.
Section eight provides that upon
majority of the votes being for license,
the district court shall issue same upon
the petition of ten resident free holCers,
setting forth that the applicant is OF
respectable character and good stand
ing. Notice of application must be
published, and remoas:rances my be
made.
The fee for such license is $500 per
annum, to be paid "at the option OF the
license" quarterly in advance into the
general county fund, together with sue h
additional license as the municipal cor.
poration may see fit to levy. The council
of city has power to fix municipal Ii
cen3e, but when saloon is established
outside of 4 corporation, tho license fc,
is fixed by the board of supervisors
The fee above $500 to be paid into tn,
treasurey of the municipality Mher
liquor is sold.
The person to whom license i
granted shall give bond in the sum O
5000, with at least two sureties, and
surety can appear upon hut one EonC
The bond Is to assure payment of i
cense, fines for violations, penalties an
damages, which may be adjudge
against him. The bond may be sue
upon by any person, or his represent;
tives, injured by sales of liquors.
For selling to minor or intOXicate
person or habitual drunkard, the So
loonkeeper may be fined not to excee
500 or imprisoned not to exceed tlirt
days.
Rules for controlling the hours 70
opening such establishment are LET
with municipalities. The state take
no authority in this.
Sections II and Is, give druggists tn
right to sell without license aud with
out bond, for medicinal, mechanical
and culinary purposes, only keeping
book of record of such sales, and though
the record be as long as the earth's bel
line, there can be no penalties, excep
for selling to minors, intoxicated per
SONS and habitual drunkardS. for which
the penalties are the same as above.
These are the main and claracteriz
ing features of the Schmidt bill 1t i.
considerably changed from the form il
which Gov. BOies presented it to tn,
public. The number of petitioners fol-
an election is reduced from two fifths
to one-tifth. The bond of the saloon
keeper is reduced from 5000 to $1,000
Surely the men whom the democratic
party would invest with q license and
responsibility should be willing to give
an ample bond. The sum of 5000 is
inadequate to guard against license
alone, to say nothing of damages WHICH
might come to patrons Of saloon and
for which they should have means of
redress. The sum OF 5000 is small as
compared to the liabilities of damages
to which saloon patrons and their fam
lilies are subjected. Evidently the dem.
ocrats in assuming sponsorship for the
saloon are apprehenSiYe Of its crimes
when they reduce the bond from 5000
to $1,000. The latitude given to un.
scrupulous druggists is Objectionable
10 afford him a record of sales, which
will always prove that he has complied
with the law, makes the record and the
purchaser alone responsible.
Coy. Boies in his campaigning prom
Used a law which should control tie sa
looms we base. only. The proposed Law
would establish them in any corpora
ton where majority could be muster
cd, irrespective of the county opinion
Il would clothe every druggist wit
power to sell without license and Pre-
vide record to prove his complianc
with Law. Instead of providing for til
control of saloons now running in dc
fance of law, it leaves them still on,
suc, rules as may be prescribed by tlei
respective municipalities, with the eS
caption OF the $500 license. PAWN
t;,at, they mag ran twenty four hours
day, and seven days in the week. ]