The record-union., 1897-02-01

NORWEGIAN SALOON SYSTEM PRO-
POSED FOR CALIEORNIA.

LII sweden ana Norway the business
of selling spirituous liquors (not malt
and light wine beverages) is let out by
the Government to a responsible body
of citizens, Incorporated, and under
b)nd to conduct the business according
to legal regulations and rules estab-
1ished by the local and general govern
anents.
So successful has the system proved
and so profitable to the investors and to
the Government, that in 1894, after
some years of sharp trial, the Storthing
confirmed the system and decreed that
its net revenues should thereafter be
distributed as follows: 15 per cent to
the Commune or local municipality, 20
per cent. to the stockholders and 65 per
cent. ITO the General Government.
The public share is sacredly devoted to
the care of parks and streets to indus
trial educational purposes, and to the
maintenance of free libraries and read
tng-rooms, coffee-houses, hospitals.
public baths and to sanitary improve
Tnents.
Senator Wilmington has introduced a
bill Q36) to apply this system to Cali
fornfa. The bill provides that the ques-
zion of its adoption in any community
shall he determined by submission to
vote of the people on petition filed, one
sfgner for each 100 persons who voted
at the preceding election. If the vote is
an~approved bond to form a company If
Hhfs vote is aye" and to take the
business of sale of liquors, except malt
Beverages and light wines, the local
Board of Government may issue a IL
cense to the company when formed,
giving the privilege Of sale of liquors for
three years from the sixtieth day after
the election.
IT two or more companies form to take
Nhe licenses, a commission is to be
named of town or city officers to decide
btstween them. For the issuance of the
license privilege not more than $1,000
and not less than 81 900 shall be charged
as a fee The saloons to be opened and
exceed one for each 1000 inhabitants.
except that at<least one may be opened
en anyrtown.
9 The regulations for the conduct of
the saloons shall be made by the local
authority. and they shall include fnhi-
bitlon of credit for any liquors sold; in
FsTstence upon the maintenance of So
briety and good order on the premises !;
obedience TO all laws relative to sale of
liquors enacted by the city or State.
These bylaws must be approved by the
Superior Court and posted in each sa-
loon. No shareholder in the licensed
company shall make more than a 4
per cent annual dividend ON his invest
afept, after paying all expenses and set
ting; aside a reserve fund equal to the
amount of the capital stock. An profits
In excess must go to the town or city
III aid of the general benefit of the com
1nunity. such as promoting industrial
education. Improving parks. setting up
reading rooms, coffee-rhouses and pu5-
lie baths, promoting sanitary measures,
maintaining hospitals, etc.
For each saloon the company must
appoint a manager, who shall be per-
sonally responsible for violation of the
regulations prescribed for the conduct
Of the place. The Bank Commissioners
are to investigate each company incor-
po1ated for the business, requiring from
them full reports as required of banks
eaft present. If the Commissioners find
Enore than 4 per cent. dividends made
for the stockholders, they may appeal
to the Superior Court to restrain the
company in whole or in part. and COM
gJel II to conform to the law and pro-
ceed with its business the same as is
required in the case of banks. The an.
nlraJ returns are to be published for the
information of the people. and once in
two wears the Bank Commissioners are
to report 70 the Legislature, with such
advice as the public good demands. The
Act is not to affect existing laws re-
xarding licenses in counties, towns and