The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-11-04

+ - -. i 4
With what is generally regarded as
sweeping victory for the saloon men and
retail dealers in liquor in the city the
CrenShaw Eigh license resolution. as
amended by the Committee on Finance,
was last night relegsIred to the rear by
the Common Council, and an entirely
different scheme adopted for the taxation
OF the whslley men in the future. It Is
much better Legislation than they had
expected at the hands OF the city fathers,
and every hope is entertained that the
Eoard of Aldermen viii concur in the ac-
ton, though q light from certain quar-
ters is anticipated.
BY the action of the Common Council
last night the matter of license taxation
is placed in the hands of the Finance
Comttee. with specific instructions that
a graduated scale of three classes be m-
pCsd upon the 4lGuor men In accordance
with the volume of business done in the
different saloons. This scale is to range
from 800 to $50, with an intermediate
rate of $50.
VIGOROUS FIGHT.
1t was not until after three hours or
time had been consumed. ard that every
motion known TO parliamentary law nad
been introduced. and either ruled upon
as out OF order or voted down. White
equally as many different propositions
were introduced, that the license question
was solved. And that the Common
Council is not still 'roting IS due largely
to the efforts OF Councilman Gilbert AZ.
Pollock and Councilman Thomas Hicks.
tha former leading an aggressive fight m
behalf of the liquor men. Mr.. Hicks
came to mis- sasstance towards the heel oc
the session, and by Il happy amendment.
united the deadlock
When the body convened in regular
session all of the. available room wa,
crowded with bar men ana interesteS
citizens and politicians. Who seemed eager
for the coming fray. The doors about the
Council Chamber ard the antaroo,ns wero
packed. and jammed Will, people. and the
deepest interest was discern;l5le UPON
many countenances. the regular
routine was being disposed of the crowd
seemed TO grow Impatient am restless
ness was the rcSnlt, rIe ea1Ir DeinE
called upon more than once to rstp witt. ~
his gavel for order.
The final vote by which the problem
was solved was almost unanimous. only
six out of a possible thirty-two record-
ing themselves as opposed to the legisIa-
ton. Mr. Crenshaw. himself. the patron s
of the high license measure. and leader OF +
the debate In favor OF IT'S adoption. voteti
for the graduated scale. but not until !.
he realized fully that there was no earth !.
~ chance for either the $500 recommended,
ton being accepted. or a $500 amendments
meeting with sufficient favor to assure itsi
final adoption.
GREAT IMPROVEMENT.
After the adjournment OF the session
I1r. Crenshaw stated that the license tax
.hich was accepted was a great improve.
1tent over the one now in vogue, and
hat its adoption was certainly step In
he right direction. He added that mol
.urther effort would be made to change;
he license. for the present at least He
ook his defeat with good grace and seems
perfectly willing to abide by the almost
unanimous decision OF his fellow Coun-
III members.
When the matter was first taken up tor
Mr.. Crenshaw. out OF def
.rence to tardy members OF the body.
lad consideration OF the matter held up
pending their arrival. He was anxious
hat every one be given q right to e1-
,ress himself on the matter. but when
discussion was finally opened by the li-
,uor dealers Mr. Crenshaw never over.
ooEed an opportunity to establish any
act bv clever cross-examina ton, which
1e thought would shed light on the pro.
olen.
Long before the bal1oting began 1t wao 81
syident to many and rumored among oeh-
.rs that owing to the decision OF Pres
dent Bloomberg that a rwo-thirds vote 81
Vas; necessary to amend the license it 81
would be possible for the supporters oe
,ither side to cause a deadlock The lines
we're rather tightly drawn at drst. with &
, bare majority opposed to q 800 ..nat,s
license.
And both sides appeared stubborn
neither being willing to yield from thefD
positions SO Il looked very much - - 81
no definite conclusion would be reached
and that the body would eventually -
tcontlnued @ sscso1 1saAl