The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-02-02
The Midnight Liquor Ordinance.

them fairly, but firmly. maintaining the
position taken by the last council it
should say So in manner that would leave
no doubt Of its purpose. ON the other
hand, II it intends 10 remove restrictions
and permit the saloons TO have thelr way
the people ought to be so informed al once,
in order that they may adopt whatever
course they may think advisable.
The granting Of the petition now being
circulated. asking for the repeal OF the
recently adopted ordinance requiring the
saloons 20 close at midnight, and 10 re-
main closed until o'clock -hs Mex NOM
ing, would be "a step backward. Il would
be an announcement practically that the
saloons are 70 have whatever they ssk
FOR
We do not believe that the better class
Of saloon keepers favor repeating the ordi-
nance, though if 1t should be repealed they
might think their interests would require
them to keep open. As long as all are
closed they are satisfied to remain .osed.
In Atlanta, an ordinance authorizing
the saloons TO open at . a. n. and oompell-
ing them to close at 10 p. n. has been in
force for seven years, and It has been
found to work well. Norfolk. Va. has
just adopted a similar ordinance. together
with some minor restrictions. If Atlanta
can stand closing the saloons at 10 D.
m. Savannah certainly can stand closing
them at midnight.
II Is 10 the interest Of the saloons that
the ordinance should remain as it IS #
they insist upon keeping open at all
hours Of the night and day they will likely
have a prohibition fight on their hands.
the result Of which might be the adoption
Of much stricter regulations than those
now in force. The saloon keepers OF At
lanta were compelled to accept 10 p. IN.
as the closing hour. in order to avoid be-
ing closed up entirely There Is strong
prohibition sentiment here. and it Ie-
quires only a little encouragement to crop
out with a force that would threaten the
existence Of the saloons. If the saloon
keepers are wise. therefore. and Il the
council doesn't want to bring on pro-
hibition fight, 1t win let the ordinance
stand
1t hasn't been many years since there
were only one or two barrooms kept open
after midnight, Notwithstanding the fact
that there was no ordinance requiring
them to close at that hour. They were
not regarded as frst-class places
Of resort. and as rule only
''all nighters" and sporting men
patronized them. Competition in the
saloon business, however. gradually drew
a majority of the downtown places into
the practice of keeping open all night In
fact, until Mr. McDonough became mayor
their doors We're never closed, day or night,
week days or Sundays. When he enforce I
the Sunday ordinance they opened
promptly at midnight on Sunday nights.
Around many of them a thirsty crowd
would gather, waiting for the clocks to
strike T., at which hour the lights in the
saloons would be turned up, there would
I be rush to the, bars, and another
weeks drinking would be begun
The enforcement of the Sunday saloon
/ ordinance has stopped the drinking and
/ carousinS on Sundays in the vicinity of
the saloons, and the closing of the saloons
| at midnight has resulted in "a marked all
sence OF drunken men on the streets in
the early mornings.
While the enforcement Of the Sunday
and midnight closing ordinances may cut
down the revenues Of some Of the saloous
somewhat there is no doubt that it has
a beneficial effect. There is less drunk
enness and much better order in the city
Under the circumstances, therefore il is
impossible to see ON what ground the
council could repeal the midnight closug
ordinance. No doubt the employees OF
saloons would gladly have the ordinance
remain in force, as the strain upon them
under existing circumstances is fully as
great as they can well bear. Even the
saloon keepers are better off by having
the strain of their business removed foI
few hours out of every twenty -four.
The movement against the high theatel
hat grows apacc 1t seems that the mer
are getting out of patience. They have
begged. cajoled and threatened the womer
to induce them TO leave off the big hat.
in theaters. They have attacked the gains
borough and its kindred nusances with
! datterF, preNarlcatiOn ana SuppucauOn
and all to no purpose. Now they are going
for them with a club. The movement was
started in Missouri. where a legislative
act has been passed against the big har
at the thoater. 1t extended to New York
and into New England where somewhat
similar bills have been presented to this
legislatures and viii probably become
laws, and now the movement is received
with enthusiasm in New Jersey. The pro
posed New Jersey law makes the high ha
wearer subject TO summary election and {
fine of $40 Now, will not the women il
other states please be persuaded befor,
the agitation is still further extended?
The New Jersey Legislature is consider
ing bill to fix the price of illuminating
gas at 81 por 1000 feet. An expert gas
maker. who is superintendent of the ga.
plant at the state prison, produced figures
to show that 10000 cubic feet of gas car
be made and distributed for SS712 De
Quoting 10 per cent. for leakage Their,
would be 225 600 cubic feet which. at 81 pc