The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1903-01-29
4 SPECIAL FROM SHREVEPORT
"A Severe Throw-Down for the Admin
istration of Mayor Queries.

WlCHGQ DSlWeSli rOlllSl iiClllS.
| There was considerable discussion
over the ordinance to provide for the
removal of screens from saloons which
would obstruct the view on Sunday
The ordinance was defeated by a vote OF
IS to f. This was regarded as severe
throw-down for the administration OF
j Mayor Andrew Queries, who tried hard
to get the ordinance through. An ordi-
nance was passed providing for the
erection of safety gates at all railroad
crossings"
| Without assuming or presuming to be
a champion of Mayor Queries or of his
administration, the Caucasian, without
reserve or hesitation, must declare that
this statement is as ungenerous and it
is unfounded. There is manifest in every
line of this exaggeration spirit of po-
litica1 antagonism which may have been
suggested with the view and for the
purpose of rejecting discredit and odlun
| on Mayor Queries and his administra-
ton. It will not be gainsaid nor can it
be disguised that the recent success of
what is styled the Queries wing Or fac
ton in politics is regarded with sign1fi-
canoe throughout the State by all poll
Iticians Of practical experience and has,
as has been pointed out by the Caucas-
ian, the agitation for the repeal OF the
Sunday law, precipitated on the public
recently was designed in no friendli-
ness for the Queries administration.
The suggestion Of the repeal OF the
Sunday ordinance was checked by a
demonstration of public sentiment and
the fact that even if repealed, the State
law would stand and that Mayor
Queries would give it loyal support.
But there is the fact, the bold, stern fact
that a majority of the council, ten if
not more, Of the fifteen were and are
radically opposed to the repeal of the
Sunday law ordinance and will uphold
It as written and recorded.
The, screen ordinance was devised to
simplify the enforcement of the Sunday
law ordinance by compelling the law
breakers to leave in full view their
bars on Sunday. It was designed to.
protect those who have respected and
observed the law. It will be conceded
that the ordinance was drastic, but It
requires drastic measures to reach a
class who break the law. by the most
ingenious receptions. After the screen
ordinance had been introduced IN the
council and laid over, under the rules,
for thirty days, those who have obeyed
and respected the law pointed out to
their friends IN the council that the or
aiinarlce If carried and enforced would
Operate great losses on them through
the removal Of their glass and erna-
mental screens which had cost them
hundreds and thousands of dollars. It
was also made manifest that the screen
ordinance would not prevent the selling
of swhiskey in places where groceries
and provisions are sold and where the
bars are kept in the rear end ct these
places which were protected from view
by boxes and barrels, -four or other
kinds Of produce. IT IS also true that
there were public denunciations IN
churches which were intended 70 give
force to the maintenance of the Sun
day law and at which the question Of
screens was considered And it IS also
trsae that an able and eloquent divine,
representing the Ministerial Associa
ton and church people. addressed the
council in support Of the Sunday law
and the proposed removal of all screens
in saloons, but the saloon people had a
legal representative well learned IN law
who appealed forcefully to the council
to not adopt the proposed screen ordi-
nance. AT the end of the oratory the /
question was called and subjected to
some parliamentary tactics. A gentle
man Of the council desired q postpone
raeIlt of thirty days SO that he could |
give Il earnest consideration, saying
that ne was opposed to It as 1t I
stood, but lie would perhaps vote for il
later if amended This gentleman
is one not classified with those
who are politically aligned with Mayor
Queries. His remarks were liberal and /
conservative. In answer. the gentleman
who had introduced the ordinance de-
=. 2
sired that vote be taken on it without
postponernent. It was well understood
and there was no need of argument or
of postponenlent. When the final vote
was recorded and announced-8 to o.
It was no surprise to those who were
posted We had forecasted the result
before the meeting from conversation
with members Of the council The gen
flenaen who have been and are classi-
fed as with the Queries administration
and who Voted to defeat the ordinance