The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1909-01-15
MERCHANTS WILL
NOT HAVE TO PAY
EXTRA LICENSES
Conspiracy Afoot to Make
Them Catspaws of Unscrup-
lous Politicians.
Purpose Is to Interfere With
Administration.
SHOULD AWAIT A DECISION
SHOULD AWAIT A DECISION

The yelp that echoed through the
corridors on the second floor of the
city hall this morning indicates that
dog was hit by The Sun
last evening and gives rise to a well.
founded suspicion that there is a con-
spiracy afoot to emasculate the d.
|cense ordinance recently passed by
the general council, and merchants
are being tricked into acting as cats
paws for some small fry politicians
II the license Inspector and treas
ury muddle was settled. this could
not occur. but as Y Is. one set of Off
Icials on the second floor of the city
hall do not confer with the executive
and Informed merchants
that they would have to pay extra
license for every particular article
they handle in their store. Under
this construction. there would be
nothing for merchant to do but
submit to extortion or go to law.
Mayor Smith Auditor Kirkland
land others, Who knew as much
about that ordinance as any
body else. say the merchants license
is comprehensive and includes all the
stores. and wherein special lines are
mentioned. thef are intended to catch
such concerns rs would try to avoid
a license as a general merchant. The
Ordinance provides that when there
is a difference, of opinion as to its
construction. tie mayor shall act as
referee.
A little cliqte Is anxious TO spoil
the mayors pans for the improve
ment OF the fity. and do not even
care whether they interfere with the
purpose OF decreasing the appropria-
ton for the Home OF the Friendless.
the construction of the Island creek
bridge, the erection OF n contagious
ward at the hospital. the improve
ment and sprinkling of streets. the
wiping out OF the floating debt. or
any of the numerous enterprises pro-
posed. which will eventually result in
a reduction of the tax rate. They
desire to interfere with the admins
lions plans, through malice, and one
way to do that is to get the license
ordinance torn TO pieces.
The Merchants Part.
Merchants are not complaining at
the merchants license, but they de-
cline TO lay II three or four times
over. There is no reason why they
should. except that one bunch of I'M
recognized claimants to city pie, en-
trenched in the Office of the city
clerk. are telling the merchants they
must pay three or four times as much
license as the law says they must.
The purpose is to force merchants
to petition the general council for a
change In the ordinance or to go to
law about Il. II is mighty little poll
tics, and Il will do the city great in
Jury, but the men engaged In the
conspiracy haven't any financial in
Iterest in Padueah or regard for its
welfare, outside the living 1t afford.
them.
II has been suggested that II these
merchants will hold their peace until
the settlement of disputes over the
right to city Offices, there will be no
question raised of their right to do
business under a merchants license.
City Solicitor Campbell, when re-
auested BY G. W. Walters, who Isl
|contesting the right of City Treasurer
Dorian to hold Office, informed Wal
ters that the tax collector must fol-
low the law, but in case of disagree
ment the mayor is the referee. Mayor
Smith said s25 is the fee. and the
complaining merchants rendered that
sum, and. being refused. decided to
await developments.