The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-03-08
Commissioners Are Very
Much Confused as to Es-
tablishment of a Ratio and
Desire a Ruling.
ROBBINS SPRINGS A
SURPRISE ON BOARD
Saws If Ratio Provides 4S Sa-
looms, 4 Licenses Expiring
First, Only Renewable for
One Year.

The county commissioners on We'd
nesday again took up the question OF
the number OF saloons which the new
regulation law permits to be operated
in Richmond and became almost hope
lessly confused because of the con-
flicting opinions of attorneys consult
ed. The regulation law provides that
is basing the ratio OF saloons per popu-
iation of a city shall be determined by
taking the largest vote cast for any
one candidate at the last election and
multiplying it by five. By this pro-
cedure it was estimated today that
Richmond's population was now "a,
220 which would entitle Richmond to
As saloons on the ration of one to 500
people; "a saloons on the ratio of one
to 1000 population.
A Surprise by Robbins.
After this estimated population had
been determined County Attorney
Robbins sprung surprise in citing
opinion that if the ration of one sa-
loon TO 500 was established, providing
is saloons, or four under the pres
ent number, the four saloons whose
licenses expired first after the enact.
ment of the law could only continue
in business a year longer. after which
the established ratio would have to be
maintained. Hitherto it has been the
common understanding that saloons
established when the law become ope-
rative were not affected by it and
that even il there were 100 more sa.
looms than the ratio provided all could
indefinitely continue in business un.
less their licenses were revoked by
violations of the liquor laws.
However. other attorneys do not ac
cept Mr.. Robbins's Interpretation as
correct.
| Because of these conflicting opin.
ions. it is likely remonstrance will
be filed against the issuance of Ii
cense to Alphous Collett, an applicant
| for renewal, and the case appealed al
once to the circuit court from the com
missioners court. The suit will be
friendly and for the purpose of deter
mining the number of saloons which
may be operated in Richmond.
| What the Board Favors.
| There is little probability that the
commissioners will favor the petition
of the temperance forces. establishing
81 Of To
i thousand inhabitants. The question
was up on Wednesday. but Chairman
Beeson and Commissioner Linderman
and Farlow were inclined to oppose
it. because they were advised this
would within the next two years cut
down the number of saloons in the
city to either twenty-four or twenty
six, consequently reducing the reve
nue. which both the county and city
would receive from liquor licenses
without reducing the consumption oi
booze or better regulating the liquo;
traffic.
| On Monday the total vote cast fol
the office of mayor in 1893 was taker
as the basis for estimating the city's
population, but on Wednesday the
law was construed to mean the las
general election, and so the total vote
cast for congressman in this city a.
F. the November election in 1910 was
computed, being found to be 1916
| The population of the city by multiply
ing this number by Ave was found
to be 24,220. The total vote in the
mayoralty contest was much larger
and computing the census by this, ths
result was over $4,000 inhabitants, per
mittinS fifty-two saloons under the
ratio of one 10 five hundred.
Timothy Nicholson and William
Dudley Foulke appeared before tn,
board as sponsors for the temperanc,
forces petitioning for establishment o
a ratio of one saloon to every thous
and inhabitants. Inasmuch as the Pc
tition presented contains only a small
percentage of the voters of the count.
the commissioners on Wednesda,
noon were of the opinion they woult
vote against it.
Mr.. Nicholson made an urgent ap
peal, declaring it was the desire of tn
citizens generally that this ratio b.
established He said the total numbe
Of signers to the petition was abou
/ 500. over half of whom he admitted
are women.