The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-10-10

BY the decisive vote Of TO the city
council last night indefinitely postponed
the ordinance introduced at the request
Of the Anti-Saioon League and other or
ganisations. directing the closing OF the
saloons Of the city during the stay OF
the First Warrington regiment In this
city and the attendant celebration. The
councils action on this matter was one
feature Of last nights Meeting. Con-
tfary to expectation. no speeches were
made from the lobby. which contained
many members Of the Anti-6aloon
League, ~ well - delegates from the
local w. C. T. u. society.
The matter was FIRST brought to the
attention Of the council 1t it, regular
meeting two weeks ago last night. AT
that time speeches were made In it, ia
vor by members OF the Anti-6aloon
League. but m opinion was rendered by
Corporation Counsel Humphrey that the
ordinance In its original shape was In
valid. Mr.. HuDphrey advised the coun-
ell. however. that 1t could amend the
ordinance and make II binding. In his
opinion.
The question was reached after an
night on motion Of Mr.. Muldoon. that
the rules be suspended and the ordinance
be taken up for consideration. Mr.
Muldoon said he made the motion out OF
confederation for the people in the lobby
who were present to see what would
be done with the question.
There was some preliminary debate az
TO the exact status Of the matter, after
which. the ordinance being under con-
sideration. GIN moved that II be in.
definitely postponed. Dilier seconded the
motion. This raised the issue.
James In Favor Of . Compromise.
James inquired how long II was pro-
posed to keep the saloons closed The
ordinances provided that they be closed
during the three-day celebration. 81 be-
Heve that II would not work a hardship
on anyone" Mr.. James said. ito have
the saloons closed for one day during
the celebration; that Is. during the time
the soldiers are actually here"
Hi spoke to the same effect.
Gill rose to speak In support OF his mo-
uon His speech was characteristics, filled
with pointed illustrations. with now ana
again touch OF sarcasm He paid his
respects to Arthur c. Jackson, president
OF the Alaska Geographical Society. He
said:
Tn making the motion for indefinite
postponsment l wished to bring UP this
whole subject. I say this proposition,
which has emanated from the anti-saIoon
League. Is an insult to the volunteers. I
blame two or three men who have taken
the lead in this matter. and not the MEM
bers OF the w. c. +. o. II what these
men have said IL true, then the First
Washington regiment Is made up OF a lot
OF drunken inebriates. I don't take stock
In such talk. II what these self-consti-
tuted leaders in this movement have said
II true. then the washington boys viii
have run the gauntlet OF every saloon IN
San Francisco and they will have nothing
to spend when they arrive here.
Soldiers Not Drunkards.
III ( believed people could be legislated
into total abstinence without driving them
into habits far worse I might be In favor
OF this movement But as this matter Ia
now constituted the ordinance In a refiec-
ton upon the intelligence and sobriety Of
the boys who went from Washington to
the Philippines. ! was for three years a
member OF Company b. and want to say
that ! never saw one OF the boys OF the
company drunk"
James spoke against the molten TO in
definitely postpone the ordinance. IT would
: like to amend the ordnance" he said
'and therefore hope II will not be killed.