Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-01-14
BOTH DISAPPO|NT
Council Fails to Adopt Ordi-
nance for Election on 1000
Saloon License.
THEATER MEASURE STANDS
Vote on Liquor Proposition is 10 to A.
While Reconsideration of Other
Fails by One Vote.

Although the session of the city
council last evening lasted only about
a half hour, the aldermen took action
on two measures, and in both cases
the attitude Of the council is to the
public in the main disappointing to
say the least. The motion for re-
alter license ordinance failed to secure
a sufficient number of votes, although
nine aldermen favored reconsidering.
The measure is up before Mayor Schaf-
fer.
The ordinance providing for an cleo
ton on the $1,000 license fee for sa-
looms was brought up for adoption, and
the aldermen voted it down, 10 to A..
In the regular order of business of the
council. the city clerk, early in the
session, presented a number of petit
tons from the different churches of
the city, some signed by individuals.
and others by the pastor and other
officers and adopted by the church con
gregation at regular services Sunday.
The petitions We're from Broadway
church, signed by % men and 81 wo-
men; two from the First Methodist
church, signed by % men and IS wo-
men; one adopted by the Memorial
Christian church. congregation; one
adopted by the First Baptist church
congregation; one from the German
Methodist church, signed by II men
and % women; one from the Spencer
Memorial Methodist church, signed by
10 men and 10 women; and one adopt
ed by the United Presbyterian church
congregation.
Churches Ask Delay.
The church petitions asked for delay
in the matter of an election on the
81 200 license proposition, stating that
there is in circulation a petition to
abolish the saloon in it's entirety under
the local option laws, and that this is
expected to be in shape so that the
proposition will be submitted at the
spring election.
Thus the unusual condition presents
itself of both churches and saloon in
terests urging delay, but with differ
ent motives
Adoption Moved.
The regular call of aldermen had
reached Alderman Smith, aud none OF
the eight aldermen preceding him had
brought up the saloon license election
matter Then Alderman Smith did {
rather peculiar thing He called the
ordinance up, and after insisting on Z
vote, he moved its adoption in order
to get a chance TO vote it down. He
moved the adoption of the ordinance
and when his name was called. he re
sponded NO" There were 10 alder
men voting against the ordinance, fou
voting for the measure. the vote bein:
as follows:
Ayes-Ostrom. Anderson, Oberg, AM
Tuckis.
Nays-Benson, Holzhammer, LawleI
Pratt, Smith. Schmid, Trefz, McNealy
Frick, and Utke.
The vote on the measure passed s
lently, none of the aldermen goin
into any discussion of the measure, no
of the protests received from tn
churches. and none of the spectator
making any remarks on the matter
There was an air of solemnity in tn
room, and an intense interest was ev
dent while City Clerk Rudgren Gale
and tailed the vote.
Insist on Injustice.
During the week eight alderme
changed their views on the OrdinanC
changing the license fee of the the
tiers to $25 for each 100 performance
At least the vote on the motion of AL