New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-03-21
LAW OR LICENSE

As our readers very Wen Know tASFo - al
association in this city composed Of vendors Of
intoxicating liquors, whose organization was
effected, and Is maintained, agowedly for the
purpose of resisting unfriendly legislation. Under
the protecting sgis of this body, the license laws
of the State have been rendered nugatory in
New-York. Since tho appointment of our Excise
Commissioners in l-51, there have been three
unlicensed rumseliers here for every ono licensed.
The grand total of the rum-selling army in this
City ia about 5000, Of whom last year licenses
were granted to only l,5Oo, and but 1000 actually
paid the license fees. suits have been COM
menced against $500 OF these trausgressOrs, end
defaults have been or can be taken in between
500 and 1900 cases Over year ago, full Lists
OF the delinquents were fled at Police Head
quarters, ani tue attention Of the Superintendent
called 10 the fact that il was necessary for the
officers who Lad reported these delinquents TO
come forward aud furnish the Commissioners of
Excise with the necessary evidence, in order that
the Judgments nigh, be perfected. Bat this has
not been DONE Indeed, since the year 1889,
there has not been a single case OF violation Of
tia. law reported % the Excise Board, although
tue law makes it obligatory upon policemen and
sheriG4 to mako sUch reports. The Iquor-dcaleTs
who have been licensed are most clamorous Tor
the enforcement If the law They LAY there IS
no roason why they should pay $4,000 into the
City Treasury while 6,Oco others in the same
trade are exempt from paying q dollar.
In the suits which have gone against the Vio-
lators by default, the damages in each case are
$50 fine and ',l3 80 costs. Having ,,eyaded the
law SO long, tho liquor dealers have no relish
now for paying the penalty, 20 they are endeav-
orDg 10 briEg about It's remittal. Their sssoe.
alton, which Is how actively engaged in this On.
deayor, il power in our midst. Every rum
shop is the representative of probably four or i've
votes, some OF them many more, an influence not
TO bo despised by politicians. We are not surprised
therefore, 10 zee the BaaId of Supervisors ready
TO scccuub to their arrogant demands. Not only
DO these peddlers Of poison, these wrctches WHO
lie by picking up poor mems pennies in exchange
TOR their acath-dealiIg lfaughts, claim The right
10 break The las with implnity, but they have
tho audacity 70 threaten Al! officials who refuse
10 Weld 10 thcir demands with political dcfest al
the ballot-box, if they do not do thor bidding.
Under such coercion, tho Supervisors, led By hr.
Supervisor Roche---himself, We believe, on unii-
censej liluor.lcller--a-o endeayOring 10 effect
diacont!nuancs OF al the s,lits. TIE Excise Com
missiOuers however, object "a thus rendering their
o.lice nudity, and tho Supervisors are casting
about to find some way of letting down the liquor
men easily. How TO DO this, without saddiing the
county with tho costs, in these 5000 or 5000
suits, is the question. Tho Excise Commssioners
viii not obey an order from the Supervisors COM
maadiDg them 70 discontinue the suits, holding
that they are body created BY special Statl'e'
which clearly defines their powers ana du'e7'
and places them IN an Independent position 80
far as aDy coordinate branch OF the county
government is concerned. IL cannot Be implied
because tho Supervisors have tho d'ourSeIn'h''
of the funds which accrue from liquor i.tgSt!ohS'
that they have the right to order these s,li's 20
he stoned Tier only course therefore, II tney
must obey their masters, VIII be TO reiund 'ueso
dsliDouept, tho amount Of their fnes anu co'!s'
after they have been paid over TO Tho proper D.
feer.. which would no doubt DO highly ralsiac'
tory TO tho representatives of tho liquor interest,"
especially to those who are now, under eAc'u'
tons ogains. the person, soIOurnins in Lldridse-
street jail.
Is IL not shameful that such proposition
sbouu be- entertained for momenC BY cur h'atu
Of Supervisors, especially when accompanied "'u'
a monaco of political vengeance if it Is rCs COM
,i;ea with We think il high tuo that TINS
temporizing With Law breakers was terminated
Let the Excise lay be executel honestly, thor
o,ghly efficiently, ia our city. That Il can DC