The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-02-16


An audience which sorely taxed the
seating facilities I'm the spacious parlors
OF the Mathewson street NJ. r. church at
tended the afternoon session.
Rev F. Tallmadge Root presided and in
troduced as the FIRST speaker Hon. Frank
b. Holden, chairman Of the Republican
State Central committee. Mr.. Holden
spoke OF the aspect OF the liquor law 10
The legislator. He spoke favorably Of the
present law declaring IL a wise and enec-
tive one
Late Attorney General Stearns was next
introduced lie spoke OF the existing liq-
uol laws from the standpoint OF the law
d6 6partment. He eaid that the laws were
strong enough as they stood; that the
most efficient way TO accomplish reform
would he 10 stir a sound. healthy and ac-
tive sentiment throughout the state. He
talked largely In generalities.
MR. LUTHER'S LETTER. -
Police Commissioned Luther was unable
10 be present but sent letter 20 the con-
vention which was read by Superintend-
ent Cristy. In part II was as follows;
Your letter of Feb. J. together with
ist OF questions which you desire me To
answer at a meeting OF the Rhode Island
Temperance League. have been received
and fully considered.
The first question on the list How
large a proportion Of the time and atten-
ton OF the police board is taken up by
matters directly or indirectly connecteo
with the liquor trailer is rather dinicuit
20 answer The police department. or any
community must spend considerable tlme
and money In the endeavor 10 regulate
the LIQUOR traffic. IT must be borne In
mind that not ONLY the dealers licensed %
conduct a LIQUOR business have 10 be taken
care Of but in a city of nearly DooU IN
habitants there are many people VINO VIII
sell liquors in violation OF the law rather
than engage I'm some legitimate employ
ment. and run the risk of detection and
| punishment 1t Is the latter class which
I lakes rp a consid able part of the atten-
! tiCn OF the police department.,
! Your second question, What features
/ of the present Jaw are most trequen'iy
/ called into use in restricting the saloon
J business and furnishing violations pre-
! sume refers 10 violations by licensed pedi-
ers The. restrictions prohibiting the sale
! -, Iio,iors TO women TO be drunk on the
! uremises, prohibiting sales TO minors anu
| not permitting minors 10 lolter on the
| premises together with the resuialiol
! closing the saloon on the hrst dey Oh ths
week. are undoubtedly the features most
| called into use
CHANGES DESIRABLE.
Question 8: Have you felt the need OF
| changes I'm the law which YOU think would
| -, 80 assistance IN controlling any objec-
! tlonra BILE feature OF the saloon business
| There are some changes In the Ia" tna
| undoubtedIy would be helpful IN cohuol-
| ing the liquor business ..,.
| Question 4 is the present Ian permit
tine druggists 10 sell intoxicants 'satistac-
! tory? II not, what changes woulu W
| suseest?" Some two years ago IN consult
! stio, with the state board OF pharmacy
| the uouor laws relating 10 druggists were
| stsoussed Al that time the members OF
the hoard Of poll ice commissioners oeneVeo
| that an amendment 20 the law prohlui'-
| nc druggists from selling or keeping Lo'
! ale liouors without liquor license 10,
| any purpose. would be very helP'ui' a'N
I am still Of that opinion -.
Question h: Would the police depart
,,,ent welcome A law which limited the
| number OF licenses to one IN 100 OF III loVV
of the population?' A law limiting ma !, ,
! ter OF opinion as 10 what that llnlt shou''
| bC. -, .,,roi ,ba
| n.|ossarv evils of the saloon II the law
rar,o,,ad ALI screens or obstructions from
.tndows and doo-s at all tines THIS Is
another question that Is purely q matte
-, oninion. and the wisdom of such law
oould he determined by a trlaI OF iroi'
The axnerience OF communities where such
la Is IN opeTt'loii'
r TO WARD OPTION
Question :: "lf through wafu ocai
option saloons were smut OUT OF 'es'ueIoe ',II
districts and concentrated IN business
sections would that make II easier 10 con-
a. | troll conditions attendant upon the sdlooh
..,,tc9" AFTER considering this question
carefully. | must say that ! fan To sec
anv special benefit 20 he obtained through
ward local option In almost every ward
,hare is al least q small section that may
$40 called a business section, while lne
| rest would he properly considered purely
residential The hoard Of police commis
sioners have in the past and VIII con
Time 20 keep saloons out of the strictly
residential districts ,
o,,os,iop g. ''Tf there was an annus
..s.,,v of publc sentiment for and
aroIns, license would the consequent
araneninx OF public opinion and a knowl'
! .doa ~ its relative strength he or any
value 20 the police Department. Agar
,b,s Is n matter Of speculation lh'
,os,s,r,, ~ pubHc opinion annually would
have a tendency I'm my opinion 10 prinl
aho,,, unsettled conditions and, whil'
dealers would be cautious propaply IN th'
conduct OF the business. with the un'
certainty from year 10 year. irrespective
., how their business was conducted
| ,ho,. would not expend money for the
nroper conduct of their business. he
iiogo Z, would tend 70 lower rather thar
elevate the nquor traffic.
MR. DONAHUE.
Mr. Thomas II. Donahue was then intro
duced and presented lengthy and abl'
consideration OF tho aspect or the liquor
laws tn the Hquor dealer. Among the
more poignant passages o, his address
were the following:
'''rhere II no gainsaying that there ar
existing conditions contrary 90 law anC
the wishes Of the better class amonl
liauor dealers The question OF Sunday
selling r. broad one. |. In common
with manv other dealers. am opposed e
indiscrininate selling OF liduor on Sunday
think. however. n might be n good thinI
. | ~. during the summer months. licenses
place. were permitted 20 open from