Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1893-04-18
Tue LIQUOR LICENSE LAW.

It's Abuse OF PoWer-The Law Not Proper-
Iy Enforced.
Editor Of the EOening Capital.
| see by an advertisement In your pane
that the City Council will meet the oath
of this month TO receive applications for
license to sell liquors in this city.
Now, 1t is a wei. known fact TO every
right-minded person, that there are too
many saloons licensed.
1t would be good thing indeed II there
were not one in the city. but If we are
compelled to have them. for the sake of
those who are made to suffer thereby let
US have as few as possible, and 1t seems
TO me that ii the law empowering the
city authorities to grant the license was
properly carried out II is sufficient of it.
self to shut up large number OF those
now licensed.
For instance. is IL necessary for the ac-
cOmB1odation Of the public that five or six
of these dens should be located alnost
within stones throw of each other
and does this city with q population of
only about 5000 inhabitants require about
thirty saloons for the accommodation of
the drinking publicg
If so, Heaven pity usl Below Is a copy
OF part of the law bearing ON this
subject and | desire to call the attention
of the public especially TO Section 1874,
II. and / do hope that a proper effort
will be made by those who have the well
fare of this community at heart, to break
up AT least some of these places, where
for the sake of money, whiskey, beer and
other intoxicahts are served out and by
which means the happiness of homes are
destroyed and young men utterly ruined.
and many a fond parents grey hairs
brought down In sorrow to the grave.
Read the law carefully and let those who
sign petitions bear their share of the re.
sponsiblity:
SECTION 1874 C.-No license to sell in
toxicating liquors shall be granted In An
napolis, except by the Mayor, Counsellor
and Aldermen at a meeting of said cor
poration and only to citizens OF the Uni
ted States Of temperate habits and good
moral character
In filing petition for license with the
Mayor. Counsellor and Aldermen, Sec
ton 1874, reads thus: "Said petition
shall contain first, the name and resi-
dence OF the applicant and how long he
has resided there.
Second, The particular place for which
q license Is desired. designating the same
by street and number il practicable and
II not by such other apt description rs
definitely locates 1t.
Third, The place of birth OF such ap-
plicant and If a naturalized citizen, when
and where naturalized.
Fourth, The name and owner of the
premises upon which The business IL to
be carried on.
Fifth, A statement that the applicant
is citizen of the United State, and that
1t is necessary for the accommodation
of the public that the place should be H.
censed."
Section 1874 g says. There shall be an
nexed to this petition certificate signed
by at least ten reputable qualified voters
residing or doing business In the ward
in which the petitioner asks to do bust
ness, stating the residence or place of
business of each person certifying and
setting forth that they have been &C
quainted with the petitioner or petition
ers for (specifying the length of such &C
quaintsnce) that they haze had good rea-
son TO believe that all the statements con.
tGSned IN the petition are true and that then
therefore pray that the prayer of said peti-
ton be granted and TIE license issued az
prayed for"
Section 1874 Fl reads 1.-The said Nav
or. Counsellor and Aldermen shall pub
licly hear petitions from residents of the
ward or pei sons in the vicinity of the
place for which license is prayed, in adj
dition to that of the petitioner, In favor
of, and demonstrate against the granting
of the license: and In all cases shall re-
fuse the same whenever in the opinion
of the said Mayor, Counsellor and Al
dermen such license is not necessary
for the accommodation of the public or
the petitioner or petitioners Is or are cot
it persons to have such license granted
10 hem."
This, It seems to me gives the power
to the City Council to refuse to grant IL
cense TO improper persons and not to
grant any more Than 10 required for the
accommodation OF the public
Jos. g. NJ. BASIL.