From the 15th of July, 1875, to the 15th of July, 1876,

we issued licenses.

the fees amounting to....

...664,

. $116,600.00

From the 15th of July, 1876, to the 16th of July, 1877,

there were issued licenses..

and collected in fees.....

.483,

108,525.00

From the 16th of July, 1877, to January 10th, 1878,

we issued licenses

the fees for which amounted to..

..386,

88,350.00

$313,475.00

Entire collection for fees to date.....

By this showing it will be observed that the number of licensees in this city has steadily decreased and we are prepared to show that the number now engaged in the sale of liquors is less by one-half than was the number in the year previous to July, 1875. The entire issue of licenses for the year terminating with July 16th next, will probably not exceed 430, the fees for the same amounting to about $100,000,00.

It must be admitted that the material interests of the State and the city of Providence, have not suffered by the license law, the fees amounting to so large a sum, helping to lift the financial load they are now carrying.

The number of arrests in this city for drunkenenss and revelling, from July 1st, 1874 to July 1st, 1875, was 5,561.

From July 1st, 1876, to July 1st, 1877, the number of arrests for the same offences was 4,242, decrease in number of arrests, 1,319.

Different people will draw different conclusions from these figures. We believe, they will receive the approval of those who think that means should be judged by the results they produce.

CLUB ROOMS.

The representatives of these establishments, which were numerous in this city previous to July, 1875, have declined the business. But one or two, supported by the sale of liquors, now exist here.

HOUSES OF ILL-FAME.

No license is granted to the keepers of these houses.

WAITER GIRLS.

No license is placed in Saloons employing waiter girls, "so called.” But two Saloons of this character now remain in this city. Their license, soon to expire, will not be renewed.

DESECRATION OF THE SABBATH.

We impress upon Licensees the importance of refraining from business on Sunday.

The fact of their being licensed, places them under bonds for behavior that shall be the least offensive, and for this, if for no other reason, an abandonment of Sunday business seems demanded.

In our last report to the Legislature we suggested the propriety of so amending the act, that authority should be vested in the officers to arrest without warrant any one detected in making sales of liquor on Sunday; we now renew the suggestion.

ADMINISTRATION OF THE LAW.

The law is being administered to the discomfiture of its violators, to nearly all of whom it has and will continue to prove unremunerative. It is the aim of the Commissioners that any one arraigned for a violation of the Liquor Law, shall be speedily convicted and sentenced, and to this end all necessary appliances are directed.

APPEALS.

Our cases appealed to a higher court are now reached and tried promptly.

As the treatment of appealed criminal cases by the courts, has been publicly alluded too recently, it may be not inopportune for us to state, that during our three years connection with the business, not a settlement of a case in which we were interested has been made, when any concession of importance from the penalty fixed by law was demanded.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.

In closing, we desire to make honorable mention of the Police of the city of Providence, to whom we are largely indebted for the results of our business.

We have only words of commendation for them all, from the Chief to the humblest.

LICENSEES WITH THEIR LOCATIONS.

The names of Licensees, alphabetically arranged under their respective classes, with their locations, is subjoined and is made a part of this report.

Respectfully submitted,

WILLIAM H. BOWEN,

JABEZ C. KNIGHT,

SAMUEL H. WALES,

License Commissioners, in and for the City of Providence, State of

Rhode Island.

PROVIDENCE, January 12th, 1878.

Palmer & Madigan.........45 Hay street, cor. of Friendship street.