The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-08-09
THE POLICE AND THE EXCISE
LAW.

LIQUOR DEALERS NOTIFIED TO CLOSE ON SUM-
DAYs-How TO EvADE THE LAW.
The developments regarding the inner life in
the Police Department do not TO have made any
apprccabe impression upon the various captains who
in command of the precincts. Day by day the
Legislative Committee the Increase of Crime has OBJ
tanned from witnesses less TO be believed state
ments which, If only half true, will to prove
the general public that tho reins Of police power have
in many cases fallen into corrupt and in
capable hands. Yesterday the HERALD reporter
noticed that many of the downtown drinking saloons
hitherto accustomed TO keep their doors open unre-
strained during all the hours Of the Sabbath, were
either closed the evidence of their business
cealed by cloths hung the shelves, the glass
doors carefully painted with soap whtewash. on
inquiry found that word had been round by
the police captains all the liquor dealers dining
loon and hotel keepers to close up their bars sun
day, "do the best thing" The reporter did
confne himself one two places but saw
the propretors and barkeepcrs in a large number
of such establishments, aud the expression was
on the lips OF all The coincidence was striking and to
any one familiar with the peculiar but expressive, par
lance OF the New York police force the only natural
clusion 10 arrive at vas that
A MEANT
This the thought that occurred to the reporter
barkecper after another repeated the stereotypcd
message that had come from the police Station, Close
thing would be-, under the circumstances mat
ter for each to determine in his particular case
after due consultation with the captain; but though the
expression beautifully vague, 1t perfectly
prchensble to those who heard IT, Every liquor seller
with whom the reporter cOnversed of the Opn-
iOn it meant 'strike" and nothing else. There a
dlcrc of opinion 10 extent to the particular
way in which should take effect Some inclined to
the belief that 1t a spasmodic effort Of the
police 10 appear strict and efficient III tho dis
charge Of their duty brought about by the
Citations Of corruption ia the force aud TO thus make
favorable impression the Commissioners and the
public, while others convinced that
direct levy was be made by the captains
for licenses to break the law. The readiness with
seated belief in the utter corruption and Generalization
OF the police force that prevails Ia the community, and
great Indignation expressed by the liquor dealers
generally at this evidence, II seemed to them, Of
confirmed and incurable rascality But no matter
what they thought Of the order ITSELF there al
Tentative but TO obey H. la hotels and dining saloons
all through the downtown district. cloths, nets or
screens were hung the bars, but the
SALE OF LIQUOR WENT Os Just USUAL
In those regular liquor stores having side entrance
the front doors invariably shut aud barred.
Wherever there a glass door the glass daubed
over with soap whitewash some other such stun,
but an entrances always 10 be found The shutters
were ON tho windows and the stores were dark aud
gloomy.
matter that was freely commented upon by many
liquor is the fact that policemen invariably get
their drinks free Whether In uniform ia civilian
dress, Policeman If known TO bc such, Il never re-
qurcd to pay and some bartcnders complain Of hay
ng to supply their friends a. well ~ themselves
with all the drink they want IL is expected by the
lent in immunity from punishment for breaches Of tho
laW