The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-08-24
THE SALOON QUESTION.

We commented yesterday upon the extraordinary interest being taken in the approaching conference of the Connecticut Liquor Dealers Associa- ton on account of the instinctive fear that a movement has been begun in this State which will not end until 1t has done serious mischief to the li- quor trade. We took occasion to say that the fear was well grounded and gave some of the reasons which led straightway to the conclusion that no element in the community can do quite as much to intelligently stave off a knockout blow as the liquor dealers themselves. Unable to retain their supremacy by moving along the lines of greatest resistance they must begin to move along those of least resist ance.
 Taking Into consideration the atti- tude of the State of Connecticut to- wards the liquor business, which is one of acquiescence in its being leg itimate investment the charge made that the new law requiring each li~ .cense to have the endorsement of five taxpayers who are not to appear on other applications is harsh would seem to have leg to stand upon. The State can under the exercise of it's police power take steps to regulate and control the trade but the dignity of the State at the same time demands that 1t should proceed to do so in a reasonable manner. If in the judg- ment of the General Assembly the sa- loon field is over occupied 1t should say so and set such limit as the req sonable thirst of man dictates. It is small business to seek to limit the number of saloons by multiplying the difficulties in the way of getting H. cense as proposed. The regulation and control of saloons depends upon the police and the courts, not upon the number of men supporting an applica- tion for license. In fact 1t makes practically no difference at all with the management of the saloon business whether taxpayers see fit to endorse the application of many dealers up to the limit of their property qualifica- ton. The organization of the saloon is something but the real thing is it's control, and this is not determined by needless license restrictions of the kind now to be enforced, The State should have the courage to attack the problem at it's hot end.
 Aside from the unwillingness of Connecticut to go at the liquor pro- bIem in a sane way, one of the great sources of irritation is to be found in the organization of the county, which being accredited with the task of issu- | ing licenses gets its commissioners from the political party which hap pens to be in power and without the slightest consideration for the wishes of the people in any particular.
 No more mischievous scheme could be devised for the regulation and con- trol of a business in itself regarded as dangerous to the public health and morals. The power to issue licenses should reside In a State excise board deriving It's authority to act from a responsible source. This would leave
 the county commissioners, if they are
 to be retained, to attend to affairs
 which cannot possibly interfere with
 the orderly we'll being of the State
 and place the control of the liquor
 business where it could be exercised in hlgh-minded manner. Such State
 commission could be of the greatest
 usefulness in determining the question
 whether a limit should be set to the
 number of drinking places, whether
 the license should be high or low or whether other contemplated reforms
 are for the best interest of Connecti-
 cut or not. If the liquor dealers of
 the State will take some such high
 and relatively lofty view as this of the
 situation they will enter upon a road
 which is alone possible to bring them peace of mind and business prosperity.
 So long as they stick to the prevailing
 methods they will go on making trou-
 ble for themselves.
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