New-York daily tribune., 1861-09-12
THE UNLICENSED LIQUOR-DEAi.ERS.

Ills now four years since the Legislature establis3d
the present system of licensing iquordealers, which
bss been entirely successful believe, everywhere
but in New-York City. The Commissioners Of Excise
meet fifty times ye r. by law, in New-York, and ten
times in the other eoun,ies of the State.
Not long after the establishment Of the Commission
in this city, ts operations were met by organized and
determined opposition from the Liquor Dealers AS
sociaon, secret society," purPosey got up to set the
law az defiance by thwarng persistenty, its execu'
ton. This society has accumulated and has at its dig
posal, very large sum- being the result of tax Of
$40 upon each member annually, and employs expert
lawyers, the principal Of whom gets $1,000 year for
looking after its ioterests. There srs 900 members
enrolled. Hitherto they have succeeded in measure,
in defeating the law by procuring repetition Of post
ponemeuts, in some thousands of prosecutions, and
rendering thereby the business sao for the time being
But further they cannot 60 and the law is sti follow
ing them up. Two Deputy Sherihs now constant
y employed in making for the Escise Comms-
soners, who have some 900 cases before them the
total re venue of which, at $50 per license, would be
$4,000.
As this sum is by law set apart for the charities Of
the coun 3, and pOrton it understood will be de-
voted 10 the relief Of the families of volunteers certain
refuse ready compliance with the statute. The Ex-
cise Commissioners determined in any event. to
bring the calendar in January next, some four to
five thousand pending, and it is to be hoped
these liquor Dealers who receive their money IN part
from those intended directly to be benefited win be
compelled TO do their part, least, sw-abidng cit
| zsns Already the Commissoners' action ia having
favorable effect. Since their last meeting 22O app-
cations for licenses have been received and stacks OF
letters are daily sent 10 from those desiring few more
! days Of grace. Tie number Of arrests each day is
from two totem; depending upon circumstances. The
police are authorized arrest without warrant, every
unlicensed dealer under the act giving them The power
to arrest for nisd.meauor. Some action has le,ely
been taken by the Police Commissioners II cooperation
with the Commissioners Of Excise.
Tie parties successfully prosecuted wall have to pay
fine Of $50 and costs amounting to total of at least
$50 10 $780, II may amount 70 much more, az the
law makes tho penalty $50 for every oiiense, and the
barkeeper be made 10 testify to at least one oiense
for each day in the year. Some Of the members of the
Liquor Dealers Association are under the impression
that their annual fee binds the Society to sustain them
in Gaze they are tried and found guilty and pay their
fines; but they are in error All the Society do is
TO have their cases postponed from time TO time.
Ii is curious TO observe, al the oice OF the ComIns
soners Of Excise what influence these liquor dealers
have among Aldermen, Councilmen Supervisors, and
other politicians The Office IL run down by these
friends who endeRyoF to thor influence in screen
ing the denquents. IL ia high time that this organ
lied resistance TO the laws Of the State broken mp,
and that tie Excise Board and the Courts sh0uld do
their duty faithfully and fearlessly.