The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-04-05
LIQUOR ORDINANCE DEFEATED
The Select Council Refuses to
Pass.
A LONG AND WARM SESSION
Mr.. Wrcnn Offered the Minority Re-
port as an Amendment, Which He
Supported Vigorously. Sew
eral Votes Taken With
out Result.

M uts at last nights meeting of the
Select Council. For two long mud
nerve straining hours the eleven mem
bsrs OF the Council present discussed
the merits aud dement's Of thigh
license" And then, to the undisguis-
ed disgust of Mr.. GoodrIdge. the Cunu-
ell adjourned without taxing nuy action
in the matter.
Twice during the eventual session
was vote taken on the all nbsor bling
"Section D., the liquor clause, III the
troublesome license ordinance.
Each time SIX of the eleven members
present voted in favor of MIR. Wrenn's
amendment aud five voted against.
But each time the amendment was lost
as it required minority OF the Coun-
cil-seven votes 10 pnss either tho
amendment or the original ordinance.
MIR. Wrenn's amendment called for n
wholesale reduction III the liquor Ii
cense Rs passed by the Common Coun
Gil.
It was exactly s o'clock when Presi-
dent Winston raped for order aud
told the clerk to cali the roll. At that
hour large delegation OF liquor men
were grouped in tue big room IN tho
Council Chamber.
Councilman Beasley, Briggs, Cooke,
Prince. Wrenn, Broughion, Grnph,
Goodridge, Bunting, ROLAND anu Win.
ston answered to their names. Messrs.
Campo and Mallory were notable by
their absence.
But little time was wasted in prelim.
ineries, and alter the minutcs oi the
Last meeting had been read aud adopt.
ed the clerk was directed to read the
ordinance relating to taXes Oh prop.
erty.
Clerk White read section after sec
tion without interruptions, but when
schedule q was reached, on motion Of
MIR. Goodridge the sixth paragraph was
amended to read us follows:
"Commercial nnd merchandise bro
kers. each person or firm. and manu-.
facturers' agents, resident or having
Office i'll the city, 500 and > per cent.
on income in excess of $1,000.
Mr.. Goodridge aleo wanted the clause
relating to the taxing IF merchants
amended. but after long discussion
he withdrew his amendment.
Mr.. Bessley wanted to tax tho te,e e.
graph companies 50 for each telegraph
pole standing within the city limits,
and MIR. Goodridge wanted TO tax the
telephone companies ) per cent. on
their gross income from Subscribers in
addition to the regular license OF $500.
But neither OF these suggestions were
adopted.
1t was not until the clerk said
SCHEDULE d, that the members braceu
themselves for the serious work of the
evening.
When the clerk had finished the
reading OF the section. Mr.. Nrenn Sc
cured the floor aud said: al desire read
the minority report of the Finance
Com mlttee, and to then oner it as an
amendment TO tho section of schedule
D., the minority report" as published
in TIE VlRGINIAN.
In advocating the passage of his
amendment MIR. Wrenn said that he
WAS high license man. but that he
thought the doubling OF tile license at
This time an outrage. To his mind 1t
would be unjust to the men engaged in
the liquor business but injurious TO the
best Interests of the city.
MIR. Prince moved the adoption Of
the amended section.
MIR. Cooke made n strong speech, in
which he urged harmony, and au
nounced his Intention OF voting for
slow license"
Mr.. Goodridge answered with these
words:
II want harmony and I'm sure if
MIR. Wrenn will withdraw his amend.
ment We |ill have harmony.
81 regret | cannot withdraw my
amendment" answered MIR. Wreun.
~ could not in Justice to my position
as member of the Finance Commit
tee and member Of the body. [ could
not bring this distress upon these
people. | sny it is wrong. Pm not "a
liquor man, / don't drink the stuff aud
I've no interest save that justice be
done TO ell. | will not withdraw the
amendment but urge the passage"
Messrs. Beasley and Bromghton spoke
agaiust the amendment. The question
OF adopting the Wrenn amendment was
tLeE put to vote. This was the re-
suit:
Ayes Briggs. Cooke, Prince, Wrcnn.
Bunting, Rollaud-G.
s-BeNsley, Goodrdge, Brough-
ton, Grubb. Winston-5.
The chair declared the amendment
lost, as 1t lacked majority of the Ell
tire Council.
Mr.. Goodridge then raoved the pas.
sAge OF the original ordinance. This
was also lost by vote Of five ayes and
Blk nays.
Both the majority and the minority
reports had Jailed from lack OF a legal
majority.
Mr.. Goodridge then moved that the
ordinance be adopted as read with the
exception of schedule d, relating Ia
liquors, which was to be referred 10 q
MN NTN