The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1909-02-02
THE SHATTUCK LAW.

AAAI 011A4 YIN Law.
In communication appearing in the
New Orleans Picayune of recent date
Hon. S. O. Shattuck, writing from,
Lake Charles. gives his Interpretation Of
Sec. 8 of the law which bears his name
Under the provisions of Sec. 8 of
the Shattuck bill, is it necessary for
saloons legally operating with permit
before January 1. 1909, to obtain new
permits to entitle them to continue to
operate?
Section 8 provides for the future,
and specifically sets forth, that any per-
son desiring to conduct bar room and
desiring license to conduct such busi-
ness in any locality within this State,
shall address sworn petition to the city
council, setting forth the place in which
the establishment is to be conducted and
the street and number in which it is in
tended that such an establishment shall
be conducted. l had in mind, and it
was my intention, to legislate for new
saloons seeking permits, and not those
already in existence If those already in
existence became obnoxious to the
property owners residing in the inme-
date vicinity, Section 8 provides rem
edy in the following language: The
council or board of aldermen shall re-
woke any privilege on the petition of the
majority of the property owners, a prior
privilege to, the contrary notwithstand-
ing
This section further provides as to
churches and school houses, that the
council or board of aldermep or the po-
lice jury, shall grant no privilege for the
opening of saloon within 600 feet of a
church or of school where children
are taught. The language used in this
clause is identically the same as the Ian
guage used in the acts of 1904, amend
ing the charter of the City of New Or
leans, and was copied verbatim from,
same"
In his explanation Mr.. ahattuck states
that it was never his intention to dis
turb the saloons already legally operat-
ing, and he says:
and | do know that if those saloons
operating at the present time within 900
feet of church or of school were dis
turbed that then the better class of
saloons would be put out of business,
and the .rum shops, which, fortunately
for them, are not within 900 feet of a
church or of school, would be per-
mitted to continue to operate. Such was
not the intention of the law.
It may be noted that Mr.. Shattuck's
contention is limited to first class
saloons which in keeping with his inter-
probation should not be disturbed even
il they. be within 900 feet of church
or school.
From the view of Mr.. Shattuck the
saloons and the club houses which were
il operation before the enactment of the
law are not affected, which is satisfac-
tory to those concerned, but, there may
Sc very few sof the lawmakers who
voted with the majority who win share
this remarkable Interpretation of Mr..
Shattuck. Should the court of final ap-
peal concede this position to be fair and
lee1l. the Shattuck law will then be-
come travesty and should be repealed.
Il IS safe to say that the majority Of
the legislators who favored this bill, as
! compromise. did not construe the in
tent and the purpose of the bill as MIR.
Shaftuck and his friends in New Or
leans operating first class saloons and
club houses within the 500 feet church
and school limit would have it.