The Newtown bee., 1899-08-11

Town Tories.
Hearing Before The County
Commissioners.
ON THE REMoNsTRANCE TO THE GRANT.
ING OF BEER LICENSE TO MICHAEL #.
aHAMMnN

ING OF A BEER LICENSE TO MICHAEL #.
SHANNON.
The hearing on the application OF
i Michael r. Shannon for license to sell
beer at Carroll's building, below the sta
tion, which has been pending some time,
| was held at the Town hall ON Friday,
| August a, before County Commissioners
j. F. Miller and Charles Lee. Some of
the demonstrants, the clergy of the town,
appeared and testified.
Michael T. Shannon testified in his own
behalf and said that he was % years old,
| that he thought was suitable person to
sell beer and that he thought the place he
wanted license for was suitable place.
He also gave information as to where
! the endorsers on his application resided
and the location Of their homes relative
to his place. He also said that there was
no saloon in the whole of mile and a
half from Newtown Street to Sandy
Hook and that there was no church or
school within half mile.
Rev o. o. Wright said that there was
| no remembrance against Mr. Shannon
personally but the objection was made
| on the ground that the welfare of the
community didn't seem to require more
than six saloons on the Sandy Hook side
OF the town, the population In that sec.
tion being estimated at 1900 and the pop
| ulation in the immediate neighborhood
of the six saloons being probably not
more than 1000. There was, he thought,
already too many for the moral, social
| and religious welfare Of the community.
Under examination by Mr. Beecher he
said he objected to this place as too near
the street, although he thought it was
probably not nearer than Taylor's,
Troy's or Houlihan's places. Had no
personal acquaintance with Shannon. he
said he would cooperate with Others in
limiting the number to three and would
have no choice of the three; would be
willing to leave the choice to the com.
missionere.
| Rev F. H. Sawyer said he objected to
the establishment Of any more saloons
on the ground that six to population OF
| 1900 was enough to satisfy all demands
of the public. II the majority vote for
the saloon their demands should be met
to certain extent. Does not know Mr.
Shannon. Was opposed to the traffic in
| liquor. Would think that three was
enough for that section and would have
no choice. In answer to question from
Commissioner Lee he said, he would op-
pose beer as quick as he would liquor
| license.
Rev Mr. Linsley said he based his OBJ
iections on the ground that there were
so many now. The welfare of the COM
munity would not be enhanced by any
increase in the number. He thought he
might not object so much to one at dis
tance Of three or four miles but did OBJ
ject to this locality as there was great
deal of passing, and that the increase
in number would increase the tempta-
tion. He had known the applicant for
several years and did not sign remon-
STRANGE because of any personal feelings.
On general principles he was opposed
to all saloons, and in case of limiting the
number would use Judgement la grant
ing. He is in favor of restricting saloons
by increasing fee and reducing number.
Also objected to it on tie ground that in
case of week day services at st Rose
church a large proportion of the congre-
cation would be compelled to pass this
place.
Rev Father Fox was called out on a
sick call and Rev o. W. Barker was out
of town go the taking of the testimony
of Mr. Linsley finished the hearing, az
neither side cared to make argumen nts.
Attorney Beecher appeared for Mr. Shan.
non. The commissioners reserved then
decision.