The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-12-19
THIRD ANNUAL REPORT.


sent to all the members OF both houses and const Ant
efforts made for the enactment OF the law After the
Dill passed the Senate, another memorial sent
to the Legislature, and q special committee EN-
ployed to obtain the concurrence OF the Assembly.
We aIe assured that good results followed ali these
efforts.
THE BOARDS OF EXCISE
Early in the season q formal ren0nstrance was
presented To the Mayor and Aldermen az anst their
granting any liquor licenses on the ground that all
the licenses given for some years past, and which
they now proposed to give, were not in accordance
with law, and consequently null and void. To our
grief, we found that neither these legal arguments,
nor any moral considerations could present,
would deter tho Boards OF Excise from doing as
others had done before them, though many of the
aderInea ackno Rledged that it was following mu
titude to do evil. Some requested us to apply for
injunction against their proceedings, and others
thought that nothing could be done TO arrest the
evils Of lntemperance but by law OF prohibition.
THE SUPERIOR COURT.
To arrest these proceedings of the Boards o. Ex-
else, which were believed to be not only injurious
but illegal application for an injunction was made
to the Superior Court. The case was argued before
Judge Bosworth by Hon. Z d. Culver. and WAS op-
posed by r. j. Dillon, Esq, Counsel 10 the Corpora
ton The Court decided that they had no jurisdic-
ton D the mat err that they could not abrogate nor
restrain any authority the Boards of Excise hadto
grant licenses, to whatever extent, in Whatever
manner they use that authority and that while the
statute remains the only redress is to prosecute for
violation Of duty in giving the license.
This decision OF the court leaves the people entirely
at the mercy Of the Boards OF Excise Whatever the
number or the character Of the places they license,
there is power to restrain their acts The excise
boards are an absolute sovereignty whose proposed
acss however destructive to the interests Of the city
Of individuals not subject TO be reviewed
by sny tribunal. And this shows the absolute ne
cessity of entire abrogatOn Of the whole system
OF licenses and the enactment OF law or universal
prohibition. Wethank one Of our highest judicial
officers for saying, The Maine law is the best in.
Junction"
TINT OPERATIONS
In April, the COmni tee, feeling deeply the i'm
portance of employing the tent to the best advan-
tage, engaged Rev. j. FL. Martyr to take charge Of
this matter, to superintend all things connected
with the tent ard to conduct provide for religious
meetings on the Sabbath, and temperance meetings
other evenings Tue tent has been located 10 differ
ent parts Of the CITY, large part OF the time In the
vicinity of the Crystal Palace, and was kept in ope
ration till cold weather. Excellent meetings have
been held on the Sabbath, and good attendance
ON other evenings Rev. Mr.. Martyr has preached
every Sabbath morning and many OF the city pastors
have kindly given their aid each Sabbath afternoon,
and have preached most acceptable sermons to nu-
merous and attentive audiences.
The Sabo school held in the tent each Sabbath
morning and afternoon, has been mama ed BY good
number Of pious and efficient teachers, and attended
by from fifty to one hundred and fifty children.
These children, mostly gathered from the streets,
have been taught the great principles OF truth and
duty Contained in the word OF God Papers and
tracts, III variety and abundance, have been distri
buted among them, and the lessons Of morality and
relslOl Impaired save many OF tQetu lrOu vice
aud criIne and make them hereafter virtuous and
useful citizens. All these tent meetings appear to
have been followed with most hopeful results.
THE FEW CHARTgR.
When a vote was about to be taken on the amend
ed charter, the Alliance removed the tent from the
vicinity of the Crystal Palace, and located it where
it would well accommodate the people of the Eighth,
Ninth Fifteen b, and Sixteen wards. Most enthu-
week, and were addressed by some OF our most able
and eloquent men in favor OF this movement These
meehn we trust had small influence i'll securing
the overwhelming majority IN favor OF The new char
ter, and laying good foundation FOR the great work
OF reform in the city government.
THE RECENT ELECTION.
Prior to the recent election the alliance printed
and sent into nearly all the wards $4,000 copies of
an appeal to the Voters" in favor of temperance
and city reform; and refer TO the results of this
election with feelings Of great satisfaction. ma.
jority OF both Bcards OF the next Common Council
believed to be substantial friends of reform elected
for that very purpose. We trust that the course
which viii be pursued by these gentlemen 10 the
future administration of our city government, will
justify all reasonable expectations.
OF the delegation from this city to the next LIE.
gisiature, we may well feel proud. Last year there
was but one OF the twenty men, ers Of both houses
from this city who lifted bis voice. or gave his vote
in favor Of any temperance measures. We honor
DR. Jacob 5. Miller Of the Ninth ward, that be was
found faithful to his sacred trust, though he stood
alone. This year we suppose We may safely rely that
seven members OF the Assembly, and two, perhaps
for the prohb ton OF the sale of intoxicating drinks
The election OF Charles G. Leigh, ESQ the Presi.
dent OF this Alliance, to seat in the next Legisa-
ture, we consider signal triumph. Mr.. Leigh was
trst nominated by the reform par OF the ward but
on further reflection that it not the intention OF
the re orm movement to affect the election OF any
but charter officers they virtually withdrew his no.
mination. Mr.. Leigh was not even nominated by
the ward temperance alliance. Each branch of the
democratic party had popular candidate and the
wings had most available candidate, who was also
endorsed, recommended and supported by the Liquor
Dealers Society publicly az privately. The election
OF Mr.. Leigh, under these circumstances by major.
ty Of about two hundred ard fifty votes SD 3ws the
extent and strength OF temperance principles in the
ward, and the popularity Of their respected Pres
dent.
We have also great occasion to rejoice in the re-.
suit Of the election throughout the State Letters
have been received by our corresponding secretary
from most Of the Senate and Assembly districts fro
which we gather that about two thirds OF both
houses of the Legislature in favor Of Law SINH.
lar to that which passed the Senate last year.
MEMORIAL TO CONGRESS-.
In consideration OF the noble efforts of the people
Of Washington city to nj themselves OF the dram
shops the Alliance resolved to petition Congress in
their behalf A memorial has been forwarded TO
the President Of the United States and to each of
the Senators and Representatives in Congress. The
u. w. Z. s. OF 1. writes us from Washington" We
trust and pray that similar )rials will come from
every part OF our land IL is what we asked for in
the sgn ant vote Of the people in this city in June
ihos Lee tnc hoiCe vi Inc nation De neaTd, az you
have spoken from the New York City Temperance
Alliance, and the friends Of Temperance here though
few in number will give good account OF ourselves
standing, as we do, in the pass OF Thermopylae.n
Another memorial has also been prepared to be for.
warded in due time to the Governor Of this State
and TO the Legislature soon to convene.
COLLECTING AGENCIES
Immediately after the last annual meeting Mr.. II
N. Bent was engaged to labor q collecting agent
Bent has fai hully discharged bis duties and his
services have been OF great value. The Correspond
ing Secretary and Rev Mr.. Martyr have also been
employed portion Of their time in raising funds.
These agents have kept record Of the time and
amount VI each donation and the Of all donors,
The entire amount received the year s four thousand
Ave hundred dollars, all of which. excepting small
balance has been appropriated for publishing The
Alliance and for other printing purpt sesi for saa
ries and agencies tor repsifs and other expenses Of
the tent for counsel fees aid costs IN the matter O
the inur ctiou and for rent of Office, furniture fuel