New-York tribune., 1867-05-17
THE EXCISE Law.

10 THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE GERMAN
SOCIETIES.
Mr. John J. Freedman has addressed a long letter
TO the Chairman OF the Executive Committee OF the
German Societies concerning the judicious course
for Germans TO pursue in their opposition TO the
Excise law lie opposes present demonstrations OF
mass meetings as being utterly devoid Of practical effect
in securing the repeal or modification Of the law, and
advocates political fight upon the question during the
Fall canvass He urges that steps be taken to induce the
Constitutional Convention 10 give to this city system OF
good municipal government; that thorough organiza-
ton be effected throughout the State TO secure the ap
give us good system Of local self government and that
shortly before tho day of election next Fall there be
grand public demonstration III favor Of the candidates 10
be voted for In place Of the demonstrations now pro-
posed. Concerning the mass meetings which have re-
Gently been proposed Mr. Freedman argues as follows
Instead of recognizing the magnitude OF the task the
fact that there be change in the law until next
iure o the state be elected this Fall and that no hope
OF change even be reasonably entertained, unless
enough senators aud Asscmbymen elected VINO VIII
favor modification OF the law, which would require
thorough organization and very wise and discreet man
ageDent throughout the State. the proposition has been
iade to get up popular demonstrations with view TO
protest against the action OF the Excise aud Police Com
law and can pursue other but to execute IT,
Those demonstrations. whether proposed to be held
should be dcouutenanced at me pre'et time by eyers
thinking man among US, who really ana earnestly desire,
bring about at the earliest possible moment tho mod
icatiOn of the law Ia such way as not 10 in,eIere IN
a. har.h manner n does with the lifelong had
its and customs OF the German population OF this coun
try have come 10 this cone uson with great deal Of
in coB c0uencc of the proposition to GET up
monster demonstration upon week day having met
with the hi ga sanction OF the Mayor OF TINS CITY, aua our
esteemed standardb bearer in the political GampMgn OF
Last year; but here are y reasons which submit Tor
what they may le worth; .. r1a
First: II UseNss, # intended as mere protest ne
protest Of the German element against this law has been
issued 10 the world at the CnionS4uare Mass Meehg'
held the 9Th day of June 1866 70 has never bee re-
called In has formed the basis Of political mOyement
which may prove another rrepressDle CONNER, "nu
which viii spread and assume gigantic proportions ~
the future political history Of thls STATE ana tn' ta G
states aud action, practical action, must hcnce"th e
our wachword and all idle complaints must DC thrown
Second II bad policy spend the time in denounc-
ng and arousng popular indgnaqn agast tne EAGise ~,
compes them TO do. instead OF making the necessary
preparations for the OF our sovereign rh- a"
citizens with view 10 change by our votes the law,
whose these commissioners merely are ana IN
the time trying to get along with those Conhls-
soncr, In the way aud upon the best terms We can
We cannot turu the popular sentiment Throughout tne
state in fayor OF adopting our views; II We allow our
selves drawn into quarrel with these Commission
b,c do nj otct The Interest of the people nj large
hut merely the interests Of parties directly affected 10y
the law and lose sight Of the main point At Issue between
Ijri II the proposed demonstrations are held ut this
early day supposng them To turn out couplete
success in point OF numbers and as f as the ad
& t5 and ,be fofnrc TO procure the re.
which the naturally expected would ana should
be obtained in consequence OF the efforts made might
prodnrc damaging effect next Fail upon the spirits OF
great nany OF the men engaged therein. many might
feel as N n we're useless 20 make any further efforts
series OF unsuccessful attempts TO disodge powerful
enemy viii dishcarten the best troops and make the
dsriistful Of their leaders, and such attempts Wpen
undertaken without plan and for no specific gam IN
another direction, especially when II Is known before
hand what theresut be. objectionable. Let us
husband our popular strength and energies until the
proper time arrives and In the mean time disseminate the
truth pmong the people and perfect our district orsan
cations.
fourth In the present excited state OF the public mind
il is dangerous even hold these demonstrations The
Germans throughout the United states have everywhere
won the respect and esteem OF the Americans az quiet
hicst prospect OF their incting riot consequence
OF this Exci,e law deprying them of the means OF IN
dulgcnct in their social habits yet they can 'on retain
their GOOD namc In this respect by refrainng even from
furnishing the occasion for a riot TO others
There dangerous elements IN TINS great city ana
there who constantly appeal 10 the passions ana
prcjudces of the masses and If the proposed demonsra
ons determined upon 10 he hed at the present
time there il telling beforehand who wnl come TO at
tend Al precautions that could be takenin the way 0f
selecting speakers and agreeing upon the resolutions 10
De adopted beforehand In committee might turn out to
be OF no avail, and II riot should ensue the eonse
Guences would he fearful Aside from the fearful loss OF
life that would take place in consequence OF the tu prep
aratons made by the authorities TO qne any disturb
ance and aside from the damaging effect II would pro
duce upon the honor credit and general welfare OF New
York City. Il would consolidate pubic sentiment IN the
State still more IN favor OF the Excise law II would oast
all our hopes OF obtaining any change IN the law The
effect throughout the interior OF the state produced
thereby would be as great III proportion as te erect pro
duoed by the New Orleans riot, IN the political campaigns
knowing therefore the fearful risk knowing that it is
the of ersares that disturbance OF the
peace shall take place. and being bound to assume anu
believe that the authorities have not made the statement
of the existing danger Of riot without some tounuaon
IN fact ask whether IL ~ not the wsest course 10 post
pone the contemplated demonstration until the proper
time arrives. go. =, .
A resolslon passed in good faith by all tho German
Societies pledgng TO the regularly constituted authOr
ties their effective cooperation In supressng any
not that may take place no matter by whom instgated,
would do moro toward efectng modification Of the Ex-
else all the speeches that could be made III de
nuncIatiOn OF the Commissioners
BOARD OF EXCISE
The Board met yesterday, at o'clock for the trial
OF liquor dealers for alleged violations OF the provisions OF
their license Before proceeding with the examinations,
Commissioner Bosworh stated that he had motion to
make In reference TO change in the present form OF the
license application It not his intention 20 move any
alteration that part OF the form wherein licensed deal
required TO have an opening In the 'front.' door or
window of their premises at least four inches square,
through which may be the entire interior OF the
place licensed when the same may be closed. The law
prohibiting the selling OF liquor on Sunday required that
the place be efectually closed and only those intending
10 violate tho law could object TO their premises being
inspected through opening In the doors or windows
moved to strike out from the third paragraph OF the
form OF application the words, "Ho female assistant,
OF age will be employed allowed serving waiting
upon or connection with customers, In the room or
place where customers arc served waited upon nor
will music, dancing other amusements he carried on
and allowed In the place for which ths license IL
sou ght" Also tho words " and that any violation OF
hem shall for revocation Of said license" and
TO insert In the stead the following: No female assist