[Debate on drunkenness and alcohol licensing in Liverpool.].

Date:
[1876?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: [Debate on drunkenness and alcohol licensing in Liverpool.]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    12/30 (page 44)
    Mr. Sullivan.—No ; I am right. What I state will go before the public, and I am ready to- make good my words (hear, hear.) The amount may be more or less, but the principle is the same. Mr. Magratii.—You have no right to say that we want to deprive the people of power, because you have an organ behind your back that reports everything which takes place here. I think you should adopt the motion of Sir John Gray. You are, I must say, arrogating to yourself a position which you have no right to assume (laughter.) Mr. Finnegan.—I repudiate in the strongest manner the insinuation that we want to deprive the people of power. Mr. Sullivan.—Well, vote for them having it (applause). Mr. Finnegan.—No, I will not do so in its present shape. Mr. Sullivan.—If our opponents spoke for twenty years, they will not be able to get rid of the fact that our proposition is to take this power now wielded exclusively by the magistrates, and subject it pri¬ marily to the people’s vote. All their efforts cannot hide this fact from the people; and once the people get to see it—once the people see that we are willing to trust them by a ratepayers’ vote, by a householders’ vote, by a manhood vote, by a womanhood vote, by any vote, while, on the other hand, the drinksellers won’t trust the people with any vote at all; once the people, I say, get to see this one simple fact, there will be an end of argument; the people will make short work of their oppo¬ nents, and our cause will be won. If my seconder has no objection, I will accept the motion, as proposed by Sir John Gray. I stated at the outset that I raised this discussion here to-day, not because I knew that the majority of the council would be with me, but because we have marked out this question for its future and inevitable victory (loud applause.) The resolution was put from the chair and adopted unanimously. On the motion of Sir John Gray, seconded by Mr. Sullivan, the Town Clerk was directed to have the resolution engrossed in the form of of a petition, and the ( it) Seal affixed thereto, for presen¬ tation to the House of Commons. The Council then adjourned. *