Norwich bulletin., 1915-05-05
IN THE HOUSE.
Only Clubs in License Towns May Sell Liquor-Fee Increased From $50 to $1oo.
Special to The Bulletin1


 Hartford, April 4.-Harry Back, the gentleman from Killingly, presided at Tuesdays session of the house, Speak CT Healey being incapacitated by a sore throat, which prompted one in the newspaper row to remark upon the opening of the afternoon that the speaker is Backi A feature of the ses- sion, but which had little to do with the real business of the state, was the introduction of Captain Richard P. Hobson, of Merrimac fame, who is touring the state in the interest of nation wide prohibition. He gave per haps the most eloquent talk that has been heard in the hall of the house for many years and referred in the main to character building and the neces- sity for organic law against alcohol, which he termed as the most dam aging holdback to good citizenship. He used the word prohibition" just once during his half hour of interesting talk. He thanked the members of the house for the honor he had received and ifested by general applause.
 Club Liquor License.
 The act concerning certificates of so- cia1 clubs, fraternal associations and societies, which was passed in the house, in concurrence with the senate, provides that the county commission CTS may issue a club certificate to any reputable association, club, or fraternal society wherein the dispens- ing of liquors is not the chief object of it's organization, but Is an incident of it's existence as an organization, provided no certificate shall be granted in any town wherein the county com missioners are not authorized to grant licenses for the sale of spirituous and intoxicating liquors.
 Exemption was provided for in this section, but that was rejected The al nf Uh ty commissioners are not authorized to grant licenses for the sale of spir- ituous and intoxicating liquors may, at an annual or special town meet ing warned and held for such purpose, by an affirmative majority vote au- thorize the county commissioners of the county wherein such town is sit uated to issue club certificates there in. The vote for or against the grant ing of such certificates shall be by ballot, as the call for such meeting may direct, but not more than one meeting shall be called for the pur- pose of granting such certificates in any year.
 MT Martin spoke in favor of the bill which he said would do away with the key clubs and the disreputable clubs and the good clubs wanted to be regu- lated. It was favored before the com mittee by MT. Spooner. representing temperance and MT. Kenealy the clubs.
 
 so much of the bill. except in that part which provides a way for club license in no-license towns. MT. Mar tin said personally the fee of $50 was too small, but that could be regulated later. There should be some law for the government of these clubs.
 MT. Stoddard made amendment to strike out the section which provided for club licenses in no-licenSe towns, although he did not like to attempt to oY ba to be so sacred to the house. He re- ferred to the inconsistency of Mr. Martin, who appeared in the house in white vest and succeeded in raising the license fee from $450 to S75o. and now favors club license in no license towns
 Mr Pelton spoke in opposition. espe- cially to the feature that referred to no license towns. MT. Hough of Wash ington said when a town votes no-li- cense, it should mean no-license for all. saloons and clubs. He said it was the rankest kind of class Iegisla- tion. MT. King said it would be an in- justice to force club license in mo- license towns.
 Mir Martin took exception to the Jekyll-Hyde insinuation and that if the white vest was a token of tenn perance he hoped MT. Stoddard would wear a white vest.
 MT. Stoddard said that when he re- ferred to the white vest as a badge of temperance, he meant that it ought not to be merely a surface badge, but ought to permeate the whole system of MT. Martin
 MT. Tinker. of Montville, spoke in favor of the Stoddard amendment, and MT. Stanford, of New Haven, was op- posed to club license in any form
 The amendment of MT. Stoddard prevailed.
 MT. Isbell offered amendment pre- venting the issuance of club certificates to any clubs having minors in the
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