The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-04
Temper ance Manifesto.

NEW YORK CITY TEMPERANCE ALLIANCE.
Through the peIsevering efforts of tine City Tenn.
poranco Alliance both branches of the Common
Council have resolved by a vote Of three to one
that taverns shall be licensed only where travellers
require such accommot ations, and that all other
licenses given shall stipulate that they do not au-
thotzc the sale OF liquor to be drank on the pre-
miSos.
Tie design Of this resolution was to put an mme-
diate end to the whole system Of legalizing dram
shops and its legitimate result would be to shut
up at once, or expose to the law, every porter
house, tipping shop, and corner groggery in the
city.
in large portion of the city this resolution will
he carried out to the letter. but Of the Alder
men in The lower wards have issued licenses after
the old form, which are unauthorized by any sta
tute or ordinance and therefore illegal null and
void, ard Of no value to the holder.
Last year We appealed to the Superior Court for
an INJUNCTION 10 restrain the Aldermen from giving
Illegal licenses The Court said they could not re-
strain the Aldermen from doing whatever they
pleased and that the remedy was to prosecute for
violation Of duty in granting licenses for viola
tions OF the law by those to whom licenses may be
granted" This remedy we now seek to apply.
Some Of the Excise Commissioners in the lower
wards, as we believe, have given license to persons
who are not citizens and who not of good moral
character; whose places are officially described by
the Captains Of Police houses OF ill fame dens OF
thieves gambling houses &c. A reporter says that
0i two hundred applicants for license on one day,
the only American that applied was the only person
refused. One Of the Councilmen while acting as
member of the Board Of Excise, under oath to
obey the laws and prevent their violation, said
openly, with loud voice, TO man who had Just
paid ten dollars and taken his license, "Tbere, go
now, and sell en- Sunday; keep il up all day, and
sell as much "a you cam" In various other ways
many Of these Excise Commissioners have outraged
law despised the claims Of morality and the public
welfare, and have endeavored to browbeat and
break down every manifestation OF public senti-
merit in favor OF arresting in the least the rayages
Of intemperance.
IT,,
yeis say that these aldermen are liable to indict-
mcnt and the universal expression of virtuohs men
Is. they ought to be indicted" Difficult as this
work Is, and opposed as il will be by the combined
influence Of rum, money and corruption, we believe
IL can be accomplished. An important question,
however, arises-Who will undertake the hercuean
taskf Who will not only sweep the smooth Russ
pavement Of Broadway, but will clean, and keep
clean. all the filthy crooked. marrow and half paved
streets and lanes Of the whole city?
We do not question the ability or the integrity
Of our prosecuting officers. but in the enforcement
OF laws for the prevention of crime and the protec
ton OF public virtue, the best public officers need
to be encouraged and assisted, and some private
parry must stand forth the real, IL not the nomi-
nal, plaintiff hearing full share Of the labor, cost,
and responsibility.
accumulate fund of thousands before commencing
operations. With an empty treasury, and their la
borers relying solely future donations to compen-
safe for tie past, they have, in addition TO their
"sWii WIN VI sChlteIlDR RIatultOusly many tnOu-
sands of papers and tracts holding large free public
meetings, &c, expended both time and money to
carry this matter through both Boards Of the Com
mon Council and prepare for these legal proceed
ings and now propose to re open their spacious
tent, for continued series Of public meetings in
favor Of Temperance and reform, and for religious
worship on the Sabbath.
i, Business men hardly need the suggestion that
ths movement cannot proceed without funds. Yet
ne Alliance may be allowed TO say that, in view Of
the last they think they deserve all the encourage.
ment and support they ask for the future. Some
may receive this paper who have already and re-
Gently contribute generously to the Alliance. They
will take this as an acknowledgment of their dona-
ton. Others, aud all friends Of public virtue and
city reform, who feel that they have not given as
much AZ this emergency demands, are respectfully
requested TO communicate on this subject, and on
the general interests and measures of the City Tenn
rerance Alliance, with c. G. Leigh, President, 232
Blocker street, j. o. Bennett. Vice President ITO
Broad street. Noah Worrall, Vice President, 26 Elm
street, Finance Committee; with Alfred Brush, Trea-
sursr, 943 Blocker street, or with c. y. Warren,
Corresponding Secretary at the Office Of the Alliance,
46l Broadway.