New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-04-05
PkOHIRIIiON In NEXY-l DIRK.

At isst every department OF the Legislative
authority of New-York is 10 declared accord on
the subjec: of Liquor Prohibition. The Assem-
bly, hos passed most stringent Prohibitory Ac:
by tie decisive vote Of 80 Yeas TO As Nays (Only
three sbient or not voti0g;) which bill the SEN
ate has modified and sanctioned BY the still more
decisive prepOnderance Of 81 TO 1l-all but two
thirds in the affirmative-every Senstor being
present and voting. The Governor is known to
be thoroughly devoted TO the measure, which he
will gladly approve in whatever form the two
Houses agree to direct though his preference
for the more stringent measure is open and de-
cided. We may, therefore, regard 1t as absolute
ly certain that an act based on the pioneer Pro-
bittory Law of Maine will be passed before the
close of another week and will take effect in the
spring or early in the ensuing summer.
The points on which the two Houses are at va
rance do not affect the principle of the bill.
However these may be adjusted, it will in any
ca,e be an ofense against the law Of our State 10
sell OF give away Intoxicating Beverages within
its limits. In either form, this act differs from
any law hitherto in force in our City, or through
out the State in not attempting to regulate, limit
or restrain the Traffic in Intoxicating Drinks, but
in cOndemniDg and seeking to suppress it alto
gether. And We may confidently presume that,
whether the Senate's or the Houses bill be sent
to the Governor, law-abiding citizens will there
by be dissuaded from further prosecuting the
Liquor Traffic; while outlaws and desperadoes
will only continue it claldestinely, furtiyely and
at their peril.
Yet there 10 a very serious difference in details
between the two bills, and the preponderance Of
merit 10 altogether in favor of the Assembly's.
This bill not only forbids the Liquor Traffic, but
renders its cOntraband prosecution we'll nigh im-
possible. 1t does not merely bid men refrain
from further selling; ii convinces them that they
cannot sford to continue the desosting business
and this by the most memorable logic The Sem
ates bill, on the other hand, displays loop holes
and crevices through which, we painfully appre-
bend, a large smount of cOntraband Liquor sell.
ing will constantly percolase and tend to difuse
itself. And We csnnos Tepress the hope that some
Of the Senates amendments will be successfully
resisted and, on reconsideration, abandoned.
But we say again to the kdthful friends Of Pro-
hibision in either House, by no means be impeiled
or irrisated into permanent disagreement and
consequent defeat Do not listen to the sugges-
fion that the senstebI 10 worse than no bill at ALL
Any bill which simply makes the manufacture Of
aPPler' unlawful, il great deal better than
none. Hold On If possible, to the stringent
clauses Of the House bill which the Senate has
eliminated, but let US have the best Prohibitory
Law that can now be carried. and we will tighten
the rivets at leisure. Remember that it wifi not
be our hult IL the Act, through amendments car
ried mainly by the votes Of its sdversaries against