The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-05-30
Ole Wlessenger.
THE LIQUOR TAX QUESTION.

1t is to be hoped hat the action Of
the city aldermen Wednesday night
has settled the question rs to the liquor
license. There is no doubt about the
fact that a large majority of the people
of the city are in favor of the high
lieense-that is of imposing a tax OF
at least six hundred dollars a year on
the business of retailing spirituous
aiGuors. The Messenger has taken the
pains, in a quiet way, to feel the pub
lie pulse ON this question and we are
convinced that the people, by a good
majority, are in favor either of a tax
of at least six hundred dollars a year
on the business, or no bar rooms at ali.
The Messenger makes the prediction
that a return to the low tax of twenty
two dollars a month will soon bring
about an election on the question of
open saloons or prohibition and that
il; such contest it IS more than likely
that Il majority Of the votes cast will
be for prohibition. It i 4 mighty good
saying that it is well TO let well enough
alone. The saloon keepers had better
take this saying to heart and act upon
it. They have all the privileges the
people of Wilmington are going to
grant them. They can get no more.
Further legislation along this line, IL
there is any, will be of the restrictive
class.
In the opinion above expressed we
are simply stating what we believe
will be the outcome of further agita-
ton of the question. This conclusion
is reached by close attention to the eX-
preston of opinion by the people of all
classes with whom The Messenger
whom he has sought expression OF
views on the subject. We are not ex-
pressing our own view, but those of
the general public.
The majority of the people Of this
city favor high license or no saloons.
The statement cannot be successfully
cOntradicted. The saloon keepers may
as we'll recognize that fact at once and
to them we will say in all kindness that
every kick they make against the six
hundred dollar tax brings the city that
much nearer to prohibition.
If the parties to both sides of this
question want peace and quiet in the
city and are DESTROYS for matters to
continue as at present the best means
they can use for securing the same
is to let matters stand as they are.
There is no doubt about it that the
principle of prohibition is growing and
growing rapidly in the state. New
Hanover with it's open saloons is great
ly in the minority among the counties
of the state. Those who wish her to
continue an open saloon county can do
their cause the greatest good by keep
ing quiet. 1t is true we had an cleo
ton here a year ago Oh the question of
saloons or ~dispensary which resulted
overwhelmingly in favor of the former,
but those who favored the saloon as
against dispensary will admit that. had
the question been saloons or prohibi-
ton the majority in favor Of the form
er would not have been near so great,
and perhaps there would have been no
majority for it at all.
These are plain statements, the truth
of which is recognized by all persons at
all familiar with the sentiments of
the voting populace both at the time Of
the ~dispensary election last year Inc at
the present time.