New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-03
THE LIQUOR-DEALERS PROTEST
THEY OBJECT TO THE PASSAGE OF sENATOl
ROGERSS sALOON LICENSE BILL.

THEY OBJECT TO THE PASSAGE OF SENATOR
RoGERss SALOON LICENSE BILL
Trenton March Special. Champions OF the
liquor interest spent several hours this afternoon
trying to convince the Senate Committee Mis-
celaneous Business-Ross Englc and Vreeiand-
that they should smother Senator Rogerss BIZ re-
quirng such license application to have twelve
independent signers. owning property in the ward.
T. H. Nolan. organizer OF the State Liquor Deal
ers' Association. the principal spokesman.
Pass this bill.'' said he, and you reduce the
number OF legitimate licensed houses. what IS the
result? Look at Philadelphia. where effort was
made in the direction through high-llcense
law. and there are now In that city $500 speak
easies. paying license whatever. Our associa-
ton has no sympathy with the keepers of dives or
loosely conducted hotels. On the contrary. they
could not obtain admission TO our organization, and
would willingly join hands with the clergy and
temperance people in stamping out such Places.
There is money in the liquor business in New
Jersey than any other enterprise in the State. Tn.
men whom We represent want 10 conduct their
business in a respectable manner under the pro-
lection of the law and the Constitution
James Butler Of Keyport. said ut has been
stated that most OF the business OF our courts
comes from the saloons Well. live Ia Monmouth
County. and 60 per cent of the business there
comes from Asbury Park. which has licensed
saloon hotel. In one night I saw thirty-two
wide % IN As11 , bsTk and m
summer ] don't mention that as rejecting on
Astu-y Park. but simply to show what Is the re-
suit Of restricting or shutting out legitimate deal
ers."
There are now 3s5 saloons In Trenton" Andrew
Cahin said. III this bill becomes law the num-
Der Will be reduced 10 $780, and the ctys revenue
would come down correspondingly.
THE passage OF this bill" said John McEntee.
secretary Of the State Assoc .aion. would cut In
two the number of licensed houses In Jersey city.
The license fees there go to the building OF schools
and the paving OF streets. Last year two large
schools were built from the moneys so received
Reduce the number Of saloons by passing this bill
and you throw heavy burden on all the tax
How many signers are required in Jersey
City, asked Senator Ross.
Five" replied Mr.. McEnee
Must they be property -owners?'
II do not know that any qualihcation OF that
kind is required
Are they permitted to sign more than one ap-
80 far as know there is no limit but am
not prepared TO speak positively on that point
ton protested against such interrogations; Incl
dentaliy he mentioned that in Newark. Orange.
Passaic and Hoboken no signers are required MT.
Koeher wanted further hearing 10 That counsel
could attend and make more complete presenta-
ton OF the case from the liquor dealers point OF
view but the committee decided that 1t had given
enough consldera ton to the subject.
III the bill passes the Senate maybe the House
will give you a hearing" Senator f.ngle REMARKED
Does anybody wish to speak for the Dill asked
Senator Ross, looking at a score OF omens Chris,
tian Temperance Union members. who had sat all
through the argument. The women shooh ine'
heads. 80, III,
The committee will probably report the bill win
an amendment making the number OF signers SIX
instead Of twelve.