New-York tribune., 1870-02-04
MR. SWeRNY,S RXcLsE BILL-

We hope the sellers and drinkers OF strong
drink, who put faith in the persistent Demo-
cratic promise that, in the event Of carrying
the Legislature, Mr. Sweeny would forthwith
and totally repeal the Excise law, are satisfied.
This promise drew to the Ilead-Repeater's
standard every drunken and worthless vaga-
bond-in fact, the entire scum and nosoms
feculence of the State. With their voting
power, he carried everything his own way. and
the Sixth Ward was jubilant over the news.
No more tax or license; no more prying police.
men; no more shutting up at midnight; no
more back door sneaking on Sundays, but all
TO be as free as air. So impatient were they
for the morning of the millennium that their
organ was quite out of temper because the
work was not done in the first week Of tie
session. Now, let us see what he has and has
not done:
l. He has not repealed the Excise law. nor the Board
he has reduced tie number Of Commissioners to three
and gwen the appointment Of them 10 the Mayor
Aldermen This makes every Alderman practically
Commissioner.
He has not repealed the license tax: on the contrary
he retains 1t In almost Its present form NO one
retail without license; the Board have to grant
licenses to "moral" applicants for one year at not lees
than $50 nor more than 800.
He holds to the posting Of the license and retains
the penalty for omission.
L. He insists that unlicensed persons shall not sell lea
than five gallons at q time, and even that shall not 10
drunk on the premises
He insists that liquor dealer. Shalt notify The nears::
policeman Of any disturbance IN their hsuses aid IA such
case all persons shall be put out and the place closed
T. He insists that liquor shall not be sold 70 any sppren
tee any person under IS years OF age, without special
consent OF parents or guardians
g. On week days, instead of closing at midnight. m
now, houses may keep open until o'clock
o. On Sundays hotels ami steamboats, may sell liquor
to their guests without hnderance. Lager-beer may
be sold at least quarter OF mile from any
place OF public worship In all other cases liquor shops
shall be closed all day on Sundays and election days
Thus the "odous Sunday law" is almost entirely
retained
1c A dealer cannot transfer his business without per
mission Of the Board
L. License money goes into the City Treasury al er
eent er cent which paid TO the three Commissioners
by way OF salary. This ought TO bring each OF them
al out $4,000 $4,000 per annum supposng business 10
be bTisk.
49, Persons selling without license must pay fine oil
day.
49, ANY one neglecting 10 keep his place closed at
night on Sundays or election days. shall be fined s25i
for the second oense So And 1t s made the duty OF
the police TO watch for offenders and report them 10 tho
Board.
And is this the end of years of agitation and
millions of contributions Is this all There
is absolutely no repeal, aud no concession save
the privilege of keeping open one hour later at
night. And what is still harder on the de-
luded dealers, Gov. Hoffman tells them that
the laws are nOU to be rigidly executed. Great
scandal has been brought upon the present
law because it was not enforced. The reason
was apparent: the entire magstracy were de-
termined not to have it obeyed. Now the
Democratic Justices have, or will have, law OF
their own, and we look to them to enforce it
| to the letter.
The Democratic party now controls all
branches of the State and City Government;
yet its leaders do not repeal the Odious law
the power they think it gives them over then
unruly and uncertain following, is too great tc
be given up. The rum-sellers must lie louder
bleed deeper, and vote oftener before the hate
full license is abolished. We may add, for the
further comfort, that the Sweeny license law
is to be. not simple legislative enactment
that may be repealed at any time, but is te
be in the City Charter, where legislative in.
reference is difficult and tedious.