Bridgeton pioneer., 1899-12-14
THE LICENSE ISSUE.
A Sentiment for Regulated License Crys-
talized by the Great Increase of
Club Rooms About Town.

Cal1Z00 by the Great Increase OF
Club Rooms About Town.
There is no public question so gener-
ally discussed among the people of this
city at the present time as that of license.
1t is quite probable that interest in the
matter has been awakened to more than
considerable degree, by reason of the
presentation at the last meeting of City
Council, OF an ordinance which provided
for the creation of q license commission.
This ordinance was quietly prepared
and as quietly introduced in Council. It
was not. and possibly is not generally
understood.
The ordinance, as prepared. provides
for the appointment of a license commits
sion, by the Judge of the Common Pleas,
to hold their term of office for three
years. 1t takes the whole license matter
out of Council and municipal affairs, and
puts it in the hands of the court.
1t is argued by those who had the
preparation of the ordinance in charge,
that this was the most satisfactory excise
law that could be enjoyed by the people.
It is argued that the character of the com
mission is assured, and if thel commits
sion decided to grant license, it would be
oaly under stringent restrictions and
upon the payment of high license fees.
One of the heaviest tax payers of the
city, man who has been foremost in the
material progress for the city, said yes
terday: "My notions concerning the
matter of license for Bridgeton, has
changed within the year to very con-
siderable extent. I have always opposed
the licensing of hotels here, but Pm not
so certain that have made great mis-
take. Under the present system, dives
and speak-easies, under the guise of
social club rooms, have sprung up to the
likely that in this. number there are
half dozen of these that are not violating
the law. Yet they are increasing, and
with the drinking comes gambling in its
worst forms, and other shocking prac-
tices. guess it would be better to have
police governed licensed hotel. We
have some half dozen wholesale beer
farms all about the city. just on the out
skirts. Why not have them inside the
lln0s uHO0L lAuuiClRdA CO1tAOi, lHSt0dQ vi
outside. under no control whatever?
I'm not for license because think liquor
is necessary for the good of Il community,
but because of two evils, I choose what
consider the least"
There is good deal of this sort of SEN
timent among our people. especially
prominent among some of the business
vuh nm Ior
clubs. They have pretty good oppor-
tunities for observation, and they tell
some pretty hard things.
There is no doubt but that the club
room evil is responsible for very con-
siderable changein the sentiment in this
city. IF there is law that will effectually
clean out these dens, it is not enforced,
and if the law cannot reach them, then
the town is to be pitied because of its
curse.
There are people who think that license
for Bridgeton is not far off. There are
those who argue that if there is to be
license, it would be far better to have
Court Commission and relieve Council of
the matter.
There is unquestionably deep moral
sentiment against license in Bridgeton.
The same sentiment is bitterly opposed
to club rooms. They would have them
broken up if they could. They argue as
against license, that club rooms exist
without their consent, while licensed
hotels would be by consent of the people
1t is quite likely that the next Spring
election will see one of the old time H.
cense and anti-iicsnse battles in at least
three wards of the town.