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Story
October 15, 1909
Camas Prairie Chronicle
Cottonwood, Idaho County, Idaho
What is this article about?
Idaho County commissioners face litigation over refunding unexpired saloon licenses after local option election closes saloons. Saloon owners demand full refunds from general fund, but board disallows claims, leading to potential lawsuits and saloons possibly staying open.
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COUNTY FATHERS
UP AGAINST IT
Are Asked to Pay Back Unexpired License Money to Saloon Men and Don't Know Where to Get the Cash.
A Grangeville dispatch says: Expensive litigation as a result of the recent local option election is now confronting Idaho county because the county commissioners have been unable to find an authority for issuing warrants in payment of the amounts represented by the unexpired saloon licenses.
The bills for these amounts were presented to the commissioners today, and it was stated this evening by one of the members of the board that the bills would be disallowed.
Under the terms of the local option law the county shall refund the amount represented by the unexpired portion of the license when the saloons are ordered closed. This money received for license has been apportioned to the various funds according to the state law and an effort was made to have the liquor dealers segregate their bills so that the required amount would be demanded from the various funds to which the money had been apportioned. This was refused by the saloon men and a demand for the full amount was made upon the county commissioners. The commissioners were at a loss to provide for the payment of the claims, and as no authority could be found for warrants on the general fund for amounts represented, a decision was reached to not pay the claims.
This action on the part of the board will place the county on the defensive and compel the saloon men to institute action to secure the payment of the money due. Just what action will be taken by the liquor men has not been determined, but a number of rumors are current this evening.
A report received from Cottonwood states a decision has been reached to keep the saloons open until the money has been refunded, and in the event this step is taken it is probable all of the saloons in the county will stand together. The view is held that in the event the feature of the law requiring that the money for unexpired licenses be refunded is inoperative the entire act has been rendered unconstitutional and void and the saloons will not be compelled to close at the time indicated by the order of the commissioners.
In any event the county is promised expensive litigation as it is known the liquor interests will not waive any rights and every legal point will be employed in advancing their contentions.
UP AGAINST IT
Are Asked to Pay Back Unexpired License Money to Saloon Men and Don't Know Where to Get the Cash.
A Grangeville dispatch says: Expensive litigation as a result of the recent local option election is now confronting Idaho county because the county commissioners have been unable to find an authority for issuing warrants in payment of the amounts represented by the unexpired saloon licenses.
The bills for these amounts were presented to the commissioners today, and it was stated this evening by one of the members of the board that the bills would be disallowed.
Under the terms of the local option law the county shall refund the amount represented by the unexpired portion of the license when the saloons are ordered closed. This money received for license has been apportioned to the various funds according to the state law and an effort was made to have the liquor dealers segregate their bills so that the required amount would be demanded from the various funds to which the money had been apportioned. This was refused by the saloon men and a demand for the full amount was made upon the county commissioners. The commissioners were at a loss to provide for the payment of the claims, and as no authority could be found for warrants on the general fund for amounts represented, a decision was reached to not pay the claims.
This action on the part of the board will place the county on the defensive and compel the saloon men to institute action to secure the payment of the money due. Just what action will be taken by the liquor men has not been determined, but a number of rumors are current this evening.
A report received from Cottonwood states a decision has been reached to keep the saloons open until the money has been refunded, and in the event this step is taken it is probable all of the saloons in the county will stand together. The view is held that in the event the feature of the law requiring that the money for unexpired licenses be refunded is inoperative the entire act has been rendered unconstitutional and void and the saloons will not be compelled to close at the time indicated by the order of the commissioners.
In any event the county is promised expensive litigation as it is known the liquor interests will not waive any rights and every legal point will be employed in advancing their contentions.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Justice
Crime Punishment
What keywords are associated?
Local Option Election
Saloon Licenses
Refund Dispute
Idaho County
Litigation
Unexpired Licenses
What entities or persons were involved?
County Commissioners
Saloon Men
Liquor Dealers
Where did it happen?
Idaho County, Grangeville, Cottonwood
Story Details
Key Persons
County Commissioners
Saloon Men
Liquor Dealers
Location
Idaho County, Grangeville, Cottonwood
Event Date
Recent Local Option Election
Story Details
After local option election closes saloons, owners demand refunds for unexpired licenses. Commissioners disallow claims due to lack of authority, prompting potential litigation and saloons staying open, arguing law's unconstitutionality.