Arizona republican., 1907-12-14
TEMPE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
The Sunday Closing Petition Tabled
 Without Action of Any Kind.

There was an unusually large att tendance of citizens at the regular
 meeting of the city council Thursday evening. It was noised about that petition would be presented asking for the closing of saloons on Sunday and for that reason there was present good representation of the two oppos- ing elements-the church people and the saloon men. The early part of the meeting partook of no special inter est. but after the auditing of the regu- lar bills, other routine matters and a discussion on matters of sidewalks ! (during which the marshal was called from the council chambers to assist in the chase for burglars) the mayor sug- gested that if-any of the visitors had anything to say, then was the proper time to bring it to the front.
 Representing the church element. pr. BBme of the Normal then briefly addressed the council and at the con clusion of his remarks presented to the clerk the petition. IL was signed by one hundred and forty-three men. citizens and residents of Tempe and vicinity. Of that number about nine | ty-five were citizens of the town, the | balance being nearby residents in the farming district. The petition has been printed before and merely asks that the council pass such an ordinance as will prohibit the sale of liquor in any saloon between midnight Saturday night and the opening hour Monday morning; it further asked that the council take prompt action on the sub ject The petition in full with the at tached list of names was then read by the clerk.
 Following this. Rev s. NJ. Cheek. pastor of the NJ. E. church south, and who has been active in the circulation of the petition, took the floor and made a few explanations in regard to it. It was the direct outcome of the action taken recently by the Phoenix city council. he said. Tempe people felt that Phoenix having taken the step. it was time they too. came to the front and do what they could to se- cure a cleaner and quieter Sabbath. He disclaimed any animOsity toward any saloon keeper in town. IL was not the man but the business he, and the people were after He said that no man had been urged to sign the petition. but that every name which appeared on it. had been signed freely and will lingly. He felt that it correctly ex pressed the sentiments of the citizens and added that he trusted the council would see fit to take action on the matter without delay.
 The prosecution having had two says at it. it devolved upon Andy Goodwin to stand up for the defense. He made an impassioned talk upon this theory. He said that at the next election EAen the church element went down to de- feat, a certain minister had come to him and said We are beaten we ad- init it and now we agree not to bother this council on saloon matters" MT. Goodwin took the view that the church people were not acting square with the council after having prom ised not to further modest it for two years. He cautioned patience; he said he knew Sunday closing was but question of time, but he added. there was an election coming in a short time and then was the time to fight it out. A petition anyway. was no earthly good and did not express the
 
 He remarked that from experience of his own such a petition did not carry bit of weight with it. He argued that from a financial standpoint. the saloons should be given Sunday liber- ty. They were paying into the coffers of the city s120O annually which went toward good roads and sidewalks and he wound up by saying that not a min ister in the room. and there were four of them, was paying a cent of tax to- ward the support of the town. Rev. Salyer Of the Christian church took exception to NIT. Goodwin's remarks. and made a few of his own in reply. He said that upon second considera- tion. he would be satisfied if no action was taken on the petition for he con- fidently believed that if Tempe re- mained open Sundays after they were closed in Phoenix. it would mean a material increase in the dry votes of this precinct It was a good natured discussion throughout. and after all who desired to talk had had the floor. 1t was moved by Fogal and seconded by Nielsen that the petition be tabled. The motion carried with but a single dissenting vote. that of Councilman Goodwin.