The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-08-30
NEWS OF CENTRAL CITY
THE SENTIMENT FOR A DrsPEN-
 SARY IS GROWING.
Letter of MT. Lamar Has Caused a
 Great Deal of Comment on This is Line-Starr May Run
 for Speaker.
Advertiser Bureau.

 people of Selma. advocating high license or a dispensary, has caused 0 good deal or comment. There is no disgusting the fact that there Is a dispensary sentiment growing. This sentiment has been fos- tered by the violation of the law resu- lating the sale of intoxicants in the su- burbs
 - The Sunday law as to the sale Of whisksy Is more vigorously enforced In Selma now than ever before in the his tory of the city, and when all of the beer saloons are moved into the city ire limits, after October 1. the sale wifi then be more under police jurisdiction than it has ever been. MT. Lamar's letter fol- lows:
 Citizens of Selma There has been much sentiment aroused in regard to the cobdition of the affairs in our, city rela- tive to the violation of the laws that con- trol the dispensing of intoxicating liquors: although little has been done to convict the guilty parties, still many evidences have come before the public to show that both the law protecting minors and our Sunday law are constantly being violat- ed. Protests have come from West. East and North Selma against licensing of sa- looms in these parts of our city. An ordi- nance was recently passed by the City Council prohibiting the sale of spirituous and vinous liquors. except in Ire limits. after October l. 1902. There is now pend ing before the Council an ordinance to in- crease the territory of the fire limits so as to insure larger territory for the saloon business. This would make a hardship on many citizens, not only by having the saloons next door to their residences but in repairs and building. ! ana very much in favor of con6ning the saloons to cer- tain district where the officers can better look after violations. Our Council reports that our floating debt' is greater now than for many years. and that it is in- creasing instead of decreasing. The license from saloons and liquor dealers amount to between four and five thousand dol- lars If the sale Is confined to smaller district 1t will reduce the number and therefore reduce the revenue to from three to four thousand dollars per annum Already our city is financially embar- rassed a reduction in this or any other line will still further embarrass the city government. Our city government largely depends for its resources from it's licenses We are told there is no way to reduce the expenses and that the present revenue is insufficient to provide for, running ex- penses As property holders and taxpay- CTS, what are we to do? Sit still and see further indebtedness piled up against our property?
 For your consideration I desire to pre- sent two ways and will show reasons for my preference.
 First-High license to all dealers in spirituous or vinous liquors. Place saloon or retail dealers license at $1,000 to n.50o per annum, and wholesale dealers in proportion Every town in the State tha. I have inquired about has license from a. &s zl. Al l. Why cannot our city authorities so in crease ours?
 Second-A dispensary. I am not fully posted on this subject but will give you some reasons why favor it, for you to consider
 I have Inquired of a number of towns and find every one pleased so far give reports fro two of them that are near est us.
 Of the Marion dispensary, one of the foremost citizens says. "The citizens gen. erally are. highly pleased Previous to dispensary we had two saloons, license re- ceived $L6O0 per annum. Dispensary net profit $S,s9z deduct license formerly re- ceived shows the city receives $s. 1892 more than they did from license. The drinking by young men has decreased 75 to 80 per cent. Old drinkers get all they want" |"
 Of the Tuscaloosa dispensary a gentle man, writes: '.The citizens are much pleased. Previous to dispensary we had five saloons License received 5000 The harrooms sold $16o, ,000 to $200,O00 worth per annum. The dispensary will probably sell $S0,OO0 worth. which leaves nearly S100,0 900 to be expended for other home comforts The dispensary has been rum ming seven months. Net profits S11.727. Doing as well through the fall months, 1xyin ha q against $5,OOO from saloons. or a net profit to the city of s15,0O0 If you try our plan a few months, you will never go back to saloons"
 If these towns can increase their reve- nue 200 to 400 per cent, Selma would in- crease hers more in proportion and I do not hesitate to say that I believe the rev. enue from a dispensary would pay the operating expenses of our city If econom- ically administered. Again it would not only do this, but it would decrease the drinking of the beginners, and those who are not habitually addicted to drinking. Again a dispensary would lessen the amount expended for liquors thereby gfv- ing hundreds of thousands of dollars that would be expended in all avenues of busi- ness for other home comforts
 Another reason for a dispensary Is, 1t would eliminate to a large extent the more than sixty places of sale of whiskey in the County where liquors are now sold, where no revenue is received and the law is being violated. It would elimi- nate these because it would be less con- venjent for them to get their supplies. For these and many other reasons, I fa- vor this last proposition.
 Some will argue that a dispensary will foster blind tigers" In other cities it has not; not near so much as prohibit tion. The officers of the law will receive their pay from the dispensary and it will be their duty. and more so for the above reasons. to run down violations. Arguments are used that it places every citizen in the liquor business because he is selling it for profit for his city's use. Is this not a farce? Does 1t place you or I any more in the business to have the municipal authorities to dispense 1t under well regulated rules and get a revenue from 1t any more than to get a revenue from it by license? In both ways the taxpayers. men, women and children, enjoy the revenue so far as it goes to- wards reducing taxation. There is no ar gument to my mind against the dispen- sary in favor of the saloon, but many in the opposite way.
 Our finances need some assistance. Our laws should be enforced and the regulat- ing of dispensing liquors be fulfilled Which is the better, high license or a dispensary?
 I would like to hear public expression