The record-union., 1894-11-16

mem bers-elect of the two houses have
peen pledged 70 the scheme to insure its
passage in the form of bill that will
simply destroy the provision of the Con-
s'itution reserving to the people the right
10 make local police regulations not in
consistent with general laws.
IL Is plan to take government, SO far
as saloon regulation is concerned, away
from its present close relation to the peo-
PIE. The nearer government is brought
70 the electors of a community the better
Tor them and the government. Every
removal Of it from the people it a move
ment of danger to republican institu-
tons.
Ii the people of the counties and cities
are not capable of establishing their own
license rates, and setting UP regulations
Tor the control of saloons, then they are
incapable of self-government in any
other direction. 1t is not, however, de-
MED that the people are capable. What
the promoters Of the uniform license sys-
tenn desile 10 accomplish is the establish
ment of a very low rate. They have no
other than money concern in the matter.
a license rate of 81 a quarter, for in
stance. as is to be demanded of the Legis-
Iature, would cut such swath of reduc-
ton in the income of this city as would
materially increase taxation upon as
sessed values. In some counties where
saloons are now limited in number, or
forbidden by local ordinance, the right of
the people to limit ana locally legislate
will be wholly broken down, and perfect
freedom allowed to whatsoever choose to
open saloon, regardless of the wishes
of the community. Thus the number
cannot be placed under limitation, nor
yet the regulation Of the places be affected
by local ordinances, since these of neces-
sity would conflict with tie general law
providing that whoever paid S2l quarter
should have the right to go into the bust
ness.
An advocate of the S2l uniform scheme
advances the argument that in Sacra-
mento, for instance, the "dives" can af-
ford to pay the high license, therefore
high rate does not limit the number of
dives. Right here let there be removed
any possible misapprehension on that
point; high license does not prohibit the
worst class of saloons-the dives and
rookeries; no one claims that it does; Sac
rament has not high license, only a very
moderate rate compared with the charges
of some counties; strict regulation, the
requirement with certain conditions will
eliminate the dives. be license high or
low or tree.
The argument that the present license
does not eliminate dives, therefore uni
form low license is desirable, means by
its inevitable logic that the uniform
license will decrease dives; but how any
one can reach that idiotic conclusion
passes understanding. The low uniform
license will increase the number of sa-
looms and divide the patronage, of which
there is just so much, no matter what the
rate of license fees. 1t is clear, therefore,
that the true financial interest of the sa-
loon-keeper is opposed to dilution of his
business by low uniform license, for
that will admit anybody and everybody
TO it.
AS already said, the real motive of the
uniform fee'' movement is the money
motive-the false hope of saving by less
license fee and more saloons. That is the
scheme. 1t is not a case, we are con-
WINGED, of 'a man of straw" but one of
actual menace to local government. 1t
remains to be seen whether the dominant
party will begin its career of legislative
majority by such an assault upon the lib
critics of the people. II it does, it will
deserve the reproaches of all people and
their contempt for all time.