New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-05-19
METROPOLITAN LuQUoR.DnrNKsNG.

Since the organization of the Metropolitan Board Of
Excise, which took place just four weeks ago yester
day. $500 persons have been licensed to sell strong
and spirituous liquors in quantities of less than five
gallons Thus far about 1900 Of that number have
received and paid for the privilege. The revenue from
this traffic up to five o'clock last evening was $685.
600. Under the rule adopted by the Board there are
but two classes Of license the FIRST allowing the sales
ofa kinds of liquor including ale and beer, costing
$3.50; the second permitting only the sale of ale and
becr and costing 800. Nearly three-fourths of the
licenses granted belong to the rstclass, and the ind
cations are that this proportion will not be materially
changed. We presume the number of drinking
houses patronized by Germans, who almost invariably
confne themselves to beer as a beverage, will be
fairly shown by the number Of licenses Of
the second class, which reveals the immense and al
most universal appetite of other classes of citizens
for more potent stimulant-a fact that is greatly to
be regretted, and yet has proved utterly inexpli
cable As nation we eat drink and live in the most
rapid and melancholy manner. Socially, We are
unique. There is no mirth at table, no conversation
over our cups whether they be filled with tea, coffee
or wine; whereas II they contain any more stimuis.
ing beverage always drink standing These facts
were commented upon at great length in the Board of
Excise when the grades Of license were fixed and
was mainly with a view to promote the sale of beer
and the social hary that characterizes Teutonc
fellow citizens that discrimination was made between
tho different beverages.
The sale of liquors at grocery-stOres has been en-
tirely prohibited. In no case has license been
granted to any person who in the same establishment
mixed these trades No license has been granted to
the keeper of brothel concert-saloon resort for
thieves The dance houses have also been placed under
the ban of the Board Some Of the proprieors of tho
latter class Of drinking houses have expressed their
Willingness to pay $4,000 per annum for license to
sell lqior. This shows how intimately associated
with liquor drinking all the other vices are, and sug
eests the possibility that the price for licenses has
been fixed somewhat too low. Thus far no woman
has been licensed. The Board. however, have not
determined to grant no licenses TO women and it is
more than likely will be granted but those who
keep brothes or harbor prostitutes will no doubt be
nterdicted.
These rules will probably efFectually close more
than one-third Of the houses in which liquor has here
tofore been sold for the druggists are also prohibited
from selling unless they are willing to pay $3.50 for the
privilege which has the effect Of total hinderance.
Thus far, we believe, no druggist has made applica-
ton for license, which shows how utterly unneces
sary the sale Of liquor is to the success Of their egt
mate business 1t is estimated however, that within
the Metropolitan Police District, excluding the
County of Westchester" about 5000 persons will be