The herald., 1895-04-11
ANGELES HERALD: THURSDAY MORNING. II,

said Mr.. Dunn, and would like to have
time to look up this question. This is a
complete surprise, as no intimation has
hitherto been conveyed to us that any
such act had been passed by the egisla'
ture. 1t may be that it was the inten-
tion of the bill that it should not affect
Incorporated cities and towns but If the
bill is constitutional it will certainly revo-
lutiouize the dealings with the questions
apparently coverei by it.
Even if it does not affect incorporated
cities and towns, it will in any event place
il in the power of country districts to alb
solutely control the liquor business.
Assemb blyman Bula was SHOWN the
amendment and Immediately recognized
it. This amendment, said he, passed
both houses of the legislature, and when
it was before the governor for his sigma
ture young gentleman named Prngh
called my attention to it. He SAID that
there were a few clerical errors III 1t, and
for that reason he said Governor Budd
would not sign it. He asked me if [
would have it amended so as to overcome
these inaccuracies. and did as he asked.
The bill was gotten through as quietly as
possible and it is now a law.
DO think it is constitutionalP Well,
that is a hard question to answer.
Still, from hurried glance at it | think
it is. By its provisions all Objectionable
saloons in "a district in this city can be
got rid of after the formation of these
sanitary boards. and it affords Il means
for the residents IN the vicinity of Ala
media street to dispose of the cribs the
disposition of which has caused so much
agitation of late"
G. f. A. Last, vice president of the
State Liquor Dealers Association, also
president of the League of
Freedom of this city says that
the creation of sanitary boards may
be Il benefit "Of course, said he, " if a
lot of fanatics are elected members Of the
boards they will abuse their powers. and
falsely Judge the qualifications of all the
saloon keepers i'll the district. and shut
them all out This is not the object of the
act but it makes them the sole Judges of
saloon keepers requirements.
Bob kearns, prominent saloon man,
was surprised when shown the amend
ment. He said: II never heard of this
act before, and wouli prefer not to
crlticise. Still, | believe, from reading
1t that it coes apply to corporated
cities and that a sanitary district can be
formed in the ward, and can undo what
the police commissioners have done. 1t
is to Judge the qualifications of persons
authorized to sell liquors, which means
that the board can revoke licenses already
granted If the sd oou keepers qualitica-
tions do not come up to their ideas. |
am afraid that there would he more
chance of corruption, because the police
commissioners are resnonsb e to a whole
city, where a sanitary board would only
be held accountable 10 Il district. 1t is Il
strange measure. and it is impossible at
this time to tell what will be the outcome
of the creation of these sanitary boards.
Rev. Will \. knighten, pastor of Grace
NJ. l.. church and who IL making cru
sade against the cribs and saloons, was
shown the amendment
81 think. ~ said hn 'tlat the CITY has
enough boards and enough laws; all that
is needed is to have them enforced, and
we have enough officers to do it. The city
can say that man cannot build house
without permit; cannot connect with
sewer without Il permit, etc. and why
can't it regulate the social evil, too? |
believe it can, and will never change my
views
II do not think this act applies TO incor
porporated cities but refers to suburbs
and places in the country. There is no
necessity for a sanitary board: all that is
needed is to have the police enforce the
present city ordinances, and the social
evil and the saloon question will soon be
disposed OF. ~