Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1892-05-11

crease should be made.
Mr. Uhler said the rate named in the
bill was fair valuation Of such prop
erty.
The amendment was lost-nocs 10,
ayes 3-iIcssrs. Fisher, Aitcheson and
McCuen. The bill then passed as re-
ported by the finance committee and is
the same rs that of last year except
that the dates for saving discounts are
changed from July and September
10th TO July and September LIST.
Mr.. Uhler then reported the license
law.
When the clause was reached fixing
the license on all liquor dealers at 500
instead of at $50 for wholesale; $40 for
retail and $50 for barroom licenses as in
last years bill,
Mr. Fisher moved 10 amend by max
ing the license $50.
Mr.. McCuen also opposed the in
dealers would not have taken out Ii
censes if they had known of the pro-
posed increase.
Mr.. Uhler said that the increase was
to raise more revenue TO meet the de-
mands made on the city; the public
schools wanted more money and the
people who were asking for fine streets
wanted more money for such streets;
lie said but few of the liquor dealers
took out the proper license, and that
the Commissioner of Revenue connived
at the evasions Of the law and in nearly
every instance issued the lowest Ii
censc irrespective of the law. Major
Duilcy, he said. would do nothing he
was instructed TO Go by the finance
committee and had stated that he was
State officer and would not be made
by Council to do anything. Mr.. Uhicr
said the bill now before Council pro-
posed TO do away with the various
grades Of licenses and let Il dealer take
out one license for 500 and sell liquor
in amy way and any quantity he wish
ed. He presented letters from Lynch
burg. Richmond and Petersburg show
ing that the liquor licenses i'll those
cities were much higher than in Alex
andra, the license i'll Lynchburg being
$500: Richmond $50 for wholesale and
$3.50 for retail. and Petersburg Sl25 to
$3.50 for retail and barroom licenses.
He said in Alexandria there were GS
places known where liquor could be
bought, only a few of which took out
the propcrlicensc.
Mr. Fisher said if the Commissioner
of Revenue did not do his duty the
police officers should see that the proper
licenses were taken out and the laws
enforced; they were laid to do this.
He opposed the consolidation of all
liquor licenses and the making ofwhole-
sale. retail and bar-rCo M licenses the
same.
Mr.. Uhler said the police were paid
50. 800 and the revenue from liquor Ii
censcs amounted to only about that
sum. and liquor was ut the bottom of
most of the causes that required the
support Of police force. He did not
/ think the proposed increase in liquor Ii
cense would be burdensome ON the
dealers; he was one Of the democrats
| who believed that the consumer paid
the tax on liquor.
Mr.. McCuen said some of the dealers
did not sell enough Liquor to pay the
| license TO the State and city if the lat
ters license should be increased.
Mr.. Mushbach asked if dealer who
only sold beer would have TO pay
800 license under the bill.
Mr.. Uhlcr said he would. lie them
to show how the law was evoked, told
about Il number of gentlemen, among
whom was the Commissioner of ReVe-
nue.. going into beer saloon, the keep
er of which took out Il malt liquor
license only, and calling for drinks.
One called for whiskey and got it. This
/ gentleman called the attention of the
Commissioner to the way the law was
being evoked, and in reply the Com
missioner said that if the gentleman
would swear ont warrant against the
dealer he would prosecute him.
After suggestion by Mr.. Mus hbach
Mr.. Fisher withdrew his amendment
and offered in its stead the sections of
the present laws providing for separate
license for wholesale and retail dealers,
bar rooms, &c. This WAS carried by a
vote of yeas Z, noes 6.
When the section was reached liking
the license on doctors and lawyers,
Mr.. Mushbach asked why the giadu-
ated tax of from $15 to S25 on lawyers
waslef! unchanged and the tax Oh all
physicians and dentists fixed ut $l5.
Mr.. Uhler said that some of the doc
tors did great deal of gratuitous
work.
Mr.. Mushbach said so did the lawyers.
He then said he saw no reason for grad
uating the tax ON lawyers and not on
physicians and dentists, who made more
money than the lawyers. He wanted
professional men taxed alike.
DR.. Jones offered an amendment fix
inc the license on lawyers at SIS.
This was opposed by Mr.. Mushbach,
who said the finance committee had
placed themselves in curious position.
They proposed to increase revenues by
raising the tax on liquors and then
reducing the license on doctors.
Mr.. NJ. said he was not Il law
yer but an attorney at law;
there is as much reason for gradu-
ating doctors license rs lawyers;
both made their living out of the ills OF
other people and should be taxed alike;
he had recently been in the hands of
doctor himself.
DR.. Jones withdrew his amendment.
Mr. NIushbach then offered as an
amendment. the section of the present
law. fixing the license on lawyers, ply
sicans and dentists at from SO to S25,
according TO the amount of their prac-