The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-04-16
TIE PRoHIBITORY LIQUOR LAWS.


MEETING OF THE HOTEL PROPRIETORS AND
WHOLE6ALE LIQUOR IMPORTERS In OP-
POSITION 70 THE NEW YORK Law.
Over one hundred and Afty gentlemen Interested
hotel proprietors Wholesale importers in the liquor
traffic. assembled in the Astor House on Saturday eve
ming last to take such might bs deemed az
pedient test the constutionaty Of the Pohbitory
law recently passed by the State Lsgislaturs. Mr..
Charles A. Stetson called the meeting to order and
nominated Mr.. Oliver Whetmore chairman. This
being carried Messrs. Thredwen and Cozzens ap
pointed Secretaries.
Mr. SrErsos announced the object Of the meeting. 1t
to take to find out what the rights OF the
liquor dealers were provided they had rights in the
community since the passage Of the Prohbitory law
1t deemed advisable to call together all those who
largely interested in this prohibited business, to
consult to the best Of evadng the provisions
OF this obnoxious law, or to have 1t set aside
declared unconstitutional by the proper legal an
thorities. Mr. 81 for ONE, was satisfied that the
provisions Of this prohibtory act not only in viola
ton Of the spirit Of the constitution but in direct oppo
stion to It's most obvious requirements To investigate
this matter properly it proposed to raise fund to
test the opinions Of the most eminent counsel in the
city Such men Chas. O'Conor, ]. Curtis Noyes,
Judge Bronson, James R. Whiting and George Wood had
been mentioned 1t thought 1t would be well to get
their advice not only individually but also board Of
constitutonality of the law. the liquor dealers have
any constitutional rights it would be well for them to
know it. and If their natural rights be constitution
ally violated it would be well for them to know that
also
At the suggestion of Mr. Stetson committee of
was appointed TO call the lawyers mentioned, and
range matters that favorable expression Of opinion
could be had from them.
Il then decided to fee the following named gentle
7 r,~ks No. n
sop, James R. Whiting, Horace F. Clark, George Wood,
J. Prescott HALL
Mr.. PHILIP W. ENes moved that Elias E. Kirkland be
added to the list.
SEVERAL voIcEs-O, he's temperance man. He won't
Mr. srxzsosI suppose it Is understood that no lawyer
viii be he agrees to give an opinion on
our side Of the question
to the use Of good liquor whereupon he added to
the list.
number Of distinguished lawyers now in order to
cure their services 1t will be necessary to have large
fund We should raise here to night sio 600 at least
scription list, which was done, Mr.. Engs acting as
treasurer.
ments that had been appointed be instructed to
rate with the Retail Liquor Dealers Association, and
also with the Dsters both Of which societies hold
ing meetings nightly The interest to defended was
the and it useless for the importers and oteI
keepers to hold back from any intercourse with the
This suggestion adopted.
number Of gentlemen then came forward, and sub.
stood at the adjournment Of the meeting that over
1000 bad been pledged.
with the money! in case it not all used in feeling the
lawyers when it unanimously decided to employ it
in defending the first violation of the obnoxious law that
should come up In the courts.
After appointing finance committee Of twenty persons
to collect funds the meeting adjourned to meet again
this week. Mr. Setson urged the proprety of the liquor
dealers keeping the action Of the meeting secret but
he made such request to reporters infer he
has no objection to the publication of the proceedings in
THE EFFECTS AND DEFECTS OF THE PRO-
HIBITORY LAW.
As the time approaches for the expiration of the IL
censes, the excitement the subject of the law
continues to increase, especially among the liquor
dealers New facts in relation to the effects of the law
coming to light and the defects ohis absurd enact
ment, and the injuries it win infict upon innocent
parties, are beginning to be more apparent
It is stated that 600 bushels of grain distilled
in thus city and Brooklyn during the year. threefourhs
Of which is damaged in trastu from the country and
rendered unfit for any other purpose than dsiaton.
There also 600 hhds of moasses distilled in the
places much Of which ia useless for any other pur
pose from the fact of its being by remaining too
long hand. Should the law be enforced, these art
cles will become valueess The distiling establishments
in this city employ thousand men, most of whom
have families directly, and vast number indirectly
depending upon them. Seven.eghths of the rum ma-
nufactured here goes abroad and at least of
the grain is used for the dsation Of alcohol for ma
nufacturing purposes. Now by the provisions of the
law appears from the section that though
certain citizens viii be allowed to sell liquor and aco
hol they cannot do without giving security year
in advance Of the application.
manufacturer OF alcohol has sent a communities.
ton this subject, in which he complains bitterly of
this provision of the act. He states that among his
customers fare druggists and daguerreotypsts, who
compelled to this liquid daily and who cannot
prosecute their business without it, They will therefore
be compelled to violate the law, though they may not
wish to do so.
Another correspondent thinks the effects Of the law
will be most injurious property holders by reason of
the tenants being unable to fuld thei obligations
pay their rents. He adds
This will not only affect all the liquor stores that
have already been taken lin expectation that such
law would not pass) but and hotel keepers will
be ruined. There Disgusting the fact that the
forcement of this law will do more to bring about
mercai crisis than the soppase of the imports Of gold
There question but that importers can sell by the
glass any other way TO whom they please. Rum an
cisely the article manufactured here cannot be
sold at all even through agents 1t is well known that
much Of the foreign brandy imported ia American pure
spirits shipped 10 France there and reshp
ped French brandy, the sale of which this
prevent for the importer pays the Untsd States 100 per
cent for the right to SELL which State Law deprive
them Of whatsoever may be said to the contrary It is
well known 10 the trade that domestic liquors actually
pure and the foreign adulterated Who will say that
rum, the pure extract Of molasses American
wbskey double refined and simply colored with burnt
brown sugar. is aduerated liquor There is something
like thirty barrels Of alcohol used daily In city in
the manufacture Of sarsapara. Must these manutac-
turers go to this political agent to buy what they
require, pay him twenty per cent profit and not 20
direct to the manufacturers The wholesale druggists
of New York sell nearly hundred barrels q day.
Must they give up this branch OF their business take
oath that respectable merchant do conscen.
tously in order TO get license The fact Is, these
bypoctca fanatical country legislators forcinsaw
upon this city that they do not understand and don't
M In their owl ulel.x