The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1901-03-15
SALOONS MUST
CLOSE AT 5 P. NJ.
So Says the Board of
Aldermen.
THE 10 O'CLOCK LAW AMENDED
AT Last Weeks Meeting-Amend-
ment Will Take Effect April /, Un-
less Mayor Cameron Interposes his
Veto.

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen
did good nights work at its meeting
last Thursday night. Hereafter it
will be the "eight O'Clock bell" in place
of the "ten o'clock bell," and at the
ringing thereof, all saloons in the city
will close their doors, to remain closed
until 4:30 O'Clock in the morning. An
amendment to the ten O'Clock or
dinance to this effect was passed on
its several readings, and will take effect
Mondl =, April l.
This action of the Board was some
what of surprise to the citizens of Co
lumbia, as there had been no discussion
of the matter previous to the meeting
When the Aldermen assembled Thurs
day night, the subject was brought up,
and the sentiment for amending the law
was so strong that it was decided that
so mething should be done at once.
1t was at first suggested that the or
dinance be so changed as to require
saloons to remain closed from sun down
until sun.u but this, 1T was thought,
would make the constitutionality of the
law doubtful, and it was decided to
place the hour of closing at p. m this
hour to apply to Saturday night also.
The time of opening in the morning
4:30 o'clock-remains the same as here
tofole. The law that has been in force
since 1896, requires the saloons to close
at 10 O'Clock each night in the week ex
cept Saturday night, when they are al
lowed to remain open until IL
While the amendment was being
written, and when it was brought up on
its third and final reading, the members
of the Board were given opportunity tc
fully express their opinions
Alderman White said there was nc
man more opposed to whiskey than he
he had seen its terrible effects, at ht
was in favor of the wives and mothers
and children every time. He said ht
hadn t taken drop of whiskey, ale
hard cider, or any kind of iptoxicant
since Lee surrendered to Grant, and by
the help of God he never inIended tC
take another one He was in favor oI
the amendment, but he thought it woulC
not be treating the saloon men exactl,
fair to raise their licenses, as had beer
done the first of the year. and then TAX,
| SnuB JuhEh1Onb Ou Ilt SuS
gested that The ordinance be passed nov
and made operative at the expirati on o
the licenses.
Alderman Payne said he did not thin
the ordinance was unjust in the least
that the law gave them the right to re
strict the saloon business, and that b
was not in favor of holding back laV
that the public welfare required, o.
account Of mere monetary considera
ton.
1t was then explained by Acting Re
corder w. p. Erwin that all of the sa
loon keepers except one had taken ou
their licenses for three months, auC
most of them would expire April /
Only one saloon keeper had taken on
his license for six months.
Alderman Browniow said that il th
amendment was passed, and any Of tn
saloon keepers desired 20 quit bushes
on account Of il, he would gladly vote b
refund them the balance Of thei
licenses. be was heartily in fayos o
the amendment and thought il ough
TO be finally disposed Of at this meeting
Carrying the matter over until the Bex
meeting, would only mean delay an
annoyance by the friends Of the saloon
and possibly defeat. He thought IN
minds Of the Aldermen ought 70 be foil