The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1909-01-13
NIGH BEER MAKES BIG STIR
NOW YOU HAVE 1T, NOW YOU
DON'T, NOW YOU DO. LIVELY
TIMES IN THE OLD TOWN.

Near beer has held the center of
the stage in Dawson the past week.
and the foamy suds have aroused an
interest that somewhat reminds one
OF the campaign against the dispen-
sary when it was voted out.
The announcement last Wednesday
morning that the city council, in pre-
pairing its tax sheet, had licensed
near beer, fixing it at 500 a year.
was a shock to ultra prohibitionists.
while those who enjoy a "cold bot
Tie when the mercury THUMBS the
tube up about 90 in the shade re-
celVed the tidings with great joy as
they thought of quaffing the icy
draught in the good old summer
time
The vote in the council was four
10 two, the aldermen favoring the
license being Stewart, Lowrey, Nc
Nulty and Deubler, and those against
II Hamilton and Davis.
Those opposing the sale of near
peer IN Dawson got busy, and began
plans to have the council to revoke
us action. At the conclusion of his
sermon at the Methodist church
sunday night Rev. o. B. Chester
made some remarks on the near beer
subject, and spoke of the temptation
and bad influence near beer saloons
would have on the young men and
| boys of the city. At the conclusion
or his remarks he said he would be
glad II some one would make a mo-
tlon That the council be informed
that 1t was the sense of the congre-
SdClon that the sale of near beer
should not be licensed Mr.. S. r.
christie acted upon the SUGGESTION
made the motion and it was adopted
by rising vote.
Inc attack was renewed Monday
morning, when the city council met
IN an adjourned session and recon-
sldered the adoption of the entire
tax sheet for the purpose of review
ing 1t before placing it on the min
uteS. This opened up the near beer
question again, and Rev. Chester and
other citizens who were present
strongly protested against it's sale
being permitted. Attorney M. G.
Edwards, representing those who
were making the fight, gave the
council his views on the subject from
legal standpoint, and said it was
MS opinion that they had the right
10 prohibit the sale of the suds. The
council postponed action until a SEES
sion at night, and in the afternoon
number of ladies canvassed the
stores and business houses for sig
natures to petition protesting
against the granting of license. This
petition, which contained the names
OF 81 men and 1928 women, was pre-
sented when the council met to
finally dispose Of the matter.
All OF these efforts, however. were
without effect. If they made any
impression there was no evidence of
1t when the vote was taken. as if re-
| suited exactly as it was when near
beer was first licensed. Aldermen
Stewart, McNulty, Deubler and Low
rey voting in the affirmative and
Davis and Hamilton in the negative.
There seems to be no doubt now
that near beer will be sold in Daw-
son the next twelve months. One
place opened the next morning after
the action of the council licensing
It's sale, and it is said that two or
three other places will soon open.
The Ordinary has issued a state
license for its sale to a firm in
Bronwood, and says he understands
that parties in Parrot and Sasser
! VIII apply in the next few DAYS for
| license.
The state license on near beer.
which was fixed by the legislature,
is $500, which was the amount of
the liquor license before the prohibi-
ton law went into effect in Georgia.
The Near Beer License Ordinance.
That section of the tax ordinance
licensing and regulating the sale of
near beer in Dawson is as follows:
Each dealer in such drinks or
liquors as are authorized to be sold
under the laws of Georgia 500 per
annum. And such license is is
sued with this proviso: That no sale
shall be made between ten O'Clock
at night and sunrise; that all places
where same is sold shall be subject
to visitation and inspection at anv
time by the mayor or any member
OF the council or police force. and
either Of such officers shall have the
privilege at any and all times to take
samples of any of the liquors or
drinks offered for sale for the pur-
pose of having the same analyzed;
that no sale of near beer or other
like drinks shall be sold to minors.
ANY violation of any of these regu-
lations and conditions shall be cause
Tor revocation Of the license and sub
Ject the offender to a fine of not ex-
ceeding 500, or by Imprisonment
not exceeding sixty days, in the dis
erection of the mayor"