The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-10-09
WARM FIGHT WAGES
ON HIGH Il. LICENSE /. ! En- [.
Alignment Of Forces on crenshaw
Ordinance is Clear Cut.
THE I he EXECUTIVE '. COMMITTEE.
Liquor Dealers Say They Will Agree on
Fixed Plan of Action-Other Side
Equally as Determined to Push
the Ordinance Through.

So far from diminishing in interest %
the days go by, the proposition for an
increase in the tax upon the saloons OF
Richmond is at the present moment
live issue in local affairs than ever,
and bids fair to be even more SO in the
early future. Provoked by the intro
duction Of the bill in the Common Coun-
Gil. there is being drawn up an align
ment OF forces on either side OF such
character and disposition as to hold out
bright hopes for a genuine pitched pat
tie when the gauntlet shall finally pc
thrown down, and the way opened for
action by the city fathers.
On the one hand. the liquor dealers
OF the city are quietly, but none tne
less determinedly preparing for an or
ganized movement against the proposed
change, which they or the vast ma
jority of them, view in the lignt OF an
unjust discrimination against one class
OF the people in favor or the other. Along
with them go a number of citizens who
do not see in the bill the merits claimed
for it by its promoters.
over against this side of the move
ment, there is Mr.. w. "A Crenshaw, orig
inator of the proposition, together with
the members of the Council who are lined
M with him. and a far greater number
OF citizens including the members OF
the Anti-Saloon League OF virginia.
many of whom have personally Eslsnl-S
= a. vol ~ a
have pledged their support. All OF these
gentlemen are as determined to secure
the passage of the bill as the saloon
dealers are to prevent its enactment.
Between the two there seems to be OPP
nortunity for some interesting develop
ments in he days to come ENactly
what is coming cannot be said now,
but that something is on the way. IS
thing concerning which there Is not
moments doubt.
THE LIQUOR MEN.
Within the next few days, probably
early in next week. the Executive Com
nittee of the Liquor Dealers Associa-
ton will be called to meet for consld-
Grafton of this new cloud which mas
doomed up on the horizon Matters OF
this sort always go before the commit
tee first and to the association after
wards. In this particular instance the
rule will be preserved: the association
itself will meet shortly after the COM
mittee, and then 1t will be that some
fixed plan Of action will be agreed upon.
That there Will be such a plan formed.
and that it will be carried out with All
yigor cannot be doubted. "Oi course,
we shall not sit still and see the bill go
through with flourish; we don't mean
to let it get through at all II we can
helm it," said Mr. A. w. Rosene. flrst
yice-president of the association. No
thing has been done yet, but we shall
certainly make a fight he continued.
Though along Just VIVA lines I cannot
now saw. The committee will probably
meet next week
Mr.. RosENE's OPINION.
The opinion OF Mr. Rosene upon the bill
ia believed to represent that generally
held bv the better element of the saloon
lists of Richmond. with a few exceptions
In discussing the matter yesterday ne
rather deprecated the movement In the
direction OF a boycott OF the company
with which Mr.. Crenshaw is connected:
still, he declared it to be matter 1or
individual considerati ton and decision. ~ $
merely like stepping back on a man !, WIZ
has just trod upon your own toes ne
said
concerning the merits Of the PROPOSE
ton itself Mr.. Rosene minces no words,
ard declares it to be fat piece OF IN
Justice and discrimination against the sa
loon keepers. The increase proposed. ne
said Is far too high. and would have
the effect of driving from the business
rrea number Of whiskey men. who, 50
far from coming the fortunes generally
a.triruted to them. are at this time just
elSinc out an existence. with no collars
70 spare for the sake OF giving Richmond
clear water. He thinks Mr.. Crenshaw
sight in trying to get clear water for me
city. but objects when he wants 70 Gig
all the money therefor out OF one ditch
tIa does not see why the saloon men
should be made to bear the brunt Of the
burden. 1--WE are q part of the body poli-
ticl' said Mr.. Rosene, and have equal
tights with other citizens.
furthermore, Mr.. Rosene does not be-
lfeve the bill has the moral attributes
claimed for it. Instead of elevatng the
character Of the saloon ana se I, ~
eliminate the grog-shops, it will foster
the latter at the expense Of the better
clement of the trade. According to Mr..
Rcsene's arguments, it is the grog-shops.
who subserve all considerations In their:
tooth and tce-nail scrape after the al
mighty dollar, who are making the mon
ey and who can afford to pay the thous-
aud dollar license. The respectable deal
e.. who does not sell on Sunday or violate
the laws, will not be able to do go. and
he will be forced out. leaving the field in
the hands Of the grog-shops and a few
others IT have no doubt said Mr.. Ro-
sene. .'that some few whiskey men are in
favor of the proposition. They think that
While they will pay the license, the others
w'l. be cut out. and they will be left
with rroronoly Of the brRress''
FAvORS EXCISE BOARD.
Thercupon Mr.. Rosene made most
interesting statement, which he distinctly
declared. however, came from him per-
sonally, and not as an expression from