The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-04-17
The New Liquor Law.
MAYOR WOOD To THE PEOPLE or NEW YORK.
MAYORS OvF1cE,
NKw Yong Anrtl Ia 1ekk Z

hc Ncw LkquOr Lz0ws
MAYOR WOOD TO THE PEOPLE or NEW YORK.
MAYORS oy1cE
NKw YORK. April 1e, 1885,
The Legislature Of this State having passed an act en-
titled Act for the Suppression of Intem
Pauperisn and Crime, /" known the Prohibitory Ii.
quor LAW and my positon with reference to its
in this city, far that duty may dsvovs
upon my Office should be declared at early day, 70
doubt to It's character, hereby present for
public consideration the principles which control my
conduct public officer alike applicable to snatsers
Of great or small import.
That the people govsrn-uot in their primary
capacity but through representatives freely and fairly
chosen-h the theory Of American government. The
people are the source Of political power They make
the laws and the great safeguard Of American liberty is
general compliance As the statutes thus created
for the better protection OF life and property and
the pursuit Of happiness but the reflection of the
popular viii for the time being, they bin ling poa
the body politicths minority weu as the majority
who alike parties to the compact the obligations of
which II il dishonorsble to disresArd. And though
these elements Of self government present the dtin
gushing features between aud the governments
Of Europe, still has been wing to ac-
quesence in the will OF the majority than in the
ter Of the government itself. Other republics have
failed when founded upon forms ani consttu-
contestants for rule by rebellion against the laws and
the executive power appointed to enforce them We
understand republicansm didereny, and hence
such struggles. The generally pervadng common
school educational sysamthe rigid principle of
instied into the child by the parent and scho
lar by the tea herthe enlarged progress leading
onward to the expansion of the heart aud intellect all
founded upon enlightened unproscriptiva te,g ous
sentiment, furnish the platform upon which American
liberty stands and from winch no calamity fofcioe
resistance to the laws can ever remove it.
IL ccnteu IN nOritie,
and that th-r grievances must remain unredressed.
Their rights fully protected The Fundamental
law that binds mnorities submit points out clearly
the ROAD to relief against illegal improper
else OF authority upon the part OF the majority Even
whenever tanatcisni rules the hour and cSyafs the
country with is baneful influence, to the nsion OF
reEson and Justice, public opinion will the
and restore the calm of mature
judgment What the law maker proves ant, and
betrays tho constituent he chosen repre- The
wrong inflicted IL not irremedable, though 1t may
proper ctastisemsnt for negligent or corapt OF
the franchise Time repairs all che Of legislation
Its evils ard wrongs however great Invariably reco be-
fore public opinion and the decisions OF tas courts.
legal tribunals and the ballot approached
vain for the msntainance OF good the overthrow
Of bad cause These are the only constitutional re-
sorts-a others treason and rebellion
Another marked caara terstic OF the American ople
is the universal submission governmental forms
restricting the and dut es OF the three compo
OF government VIZ the legislative, the Judicial
and the executive The fret only make the laws the
second only expound the and the third has dis
creton but to them faithfully executed II is my
province tn act agent for the people Of these
departments. am executive officer aid in the
ecution OF the laws ami hsve to DO the pest
of my ability" WITH part responsibility in their
creation, State legislation Is concerned have
option but compliance instrument for thsir
forcement and TO require compliance in onsrs far
have The ability II is my duty to exact opsdisncs
and yours obey The officer the la is not account
able for the making of the law he is bound to
pursuant to his oath Of office, though the responsibility
Of the people, the Of all political power can
not be % easily denied as Mayor, have endeavoced
to fulfil this duty Though somesmes paioiul, yet IL
has been performed diligently aDd imparnaly hops
to tnue without relaxation The act Atng to the
prohibition OF the liquor traffic and
Law, holding ths position any other law. and
until decided invalid BY the ;ouIts, or amended
pealed by the Lsgislatur, should command the same
obedience so far rs ts.execution depends upon me-
have discretion but TO exercise all my 20 to
force It, 1t Is unnecessary Tor ms to express
opinion n regard to legislation of this character Of
this law not only because that opinion has here
tnfore given but because whatever it may be,
without dishoror shrink from faithful discharge Of
the trust conded whatever shall be the per onai
sequences to myself now call upon the friau Of Law
and aid In tha performance OF this obig aon and
in sustaining the principle upon whica ats the
corner stone OF all our national prosperity aud great
Dssming my with reference to thi subject Of
tsrest TO those whose occupations be a ;ted and
especially to tEore whose licences viii expire with the
year ending the first Of May ensuing, have rsit 1t in
cumbent upon to indicate 1t frankly. have avasd
myself Of the first moment after the aiournment OF the
tions hopeless to thus make publis my position
without having had time to examine it, to receive
counsel to my dates under It, an1 without knowing
whether am called upon or have power Mayor to
take any part in its execution shall inform myself
there points without delay and announce my conclu-
zion to the public with the candor that prompts
this communication. FERNANDO WOOD.
Prohibitory Liquor Laws.
COMPARATIVE ABSTRACT OF THE LAWS RECENTLY
ENACTED IN NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA TO
TN q 7 n n r yvCA ATyNG