New-York tribune., 1876-05-05
LIQUORS Al THE CENTENNIAL.

THEIR SALE WITHIN THE GROUNDS.
VOTE OF 1s TO o BY THE COMMISSION lNDEfi-
NrTEIY PosTPoNEs THE QUESTIONABLE TEN
PERANCE PEOPLE REFERRED TO THE coUhIs-
OPINIONS AS TO THE LEGALITY OF CONTRACTS
PERMITTING SALES
IFpoa A REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.l
PHILADELPHIA, May AIN the. Centennial
Commission this afternoon the question OF approving
the contracts OF the Board Of Finance by which the sale
OF liquors within the grounds was licensed was taken
up Mr. Nye OF Maine submitted the opinion OF the
Solicitor of the Commission John L. Shoemaker. upon
the question submitted whether it was unlawful for inc
Commission sustain the concessions for the sale Oh
intoxicating drinks within the grounds The question was
raised in view OF rule of the FarmOunt Park. winch
prohibits such sale Mr. Shoemaker took the ground In
his opinion that the rules OF the Park Commission were
abrogaed or least suspended, during the occupancy
of the grounds by the Centennial authorities and hat
the city, State, National utterances and legislation
had given the Commissioners full power over the
grounds He concludes by saying that Is not uhiaw
full for the Commission to approve OF thc contrac,s 0
and executed with the Board OF Finance WIN the coh-
sent OF the Executive Committee OF the Commission
which sat- clothed with full powers, during the recess OF
tn general body.
These contracts with individuals inside the buildings
and With restaurants &c, within the grounds are OF
three kinds. seemingly made with view to SUIT all
tastes VIZ, nothing stronger than soda water sha oe
sold in Machinery Hail. light wines in the Main Building
and malt liquors IN Agricultural Hall; the restaurants
NAV sell ANYTHING, not at bar, but at tables.
The fact appeared Ia debate and also in the SOLICITORS
ouiuop that large bonuses had been accepted by the
Board OF Finance from restaurants aud cafes on the fh
that they would be permitted to sell liquor under these
restrictions and large amounts OF money had been e1
pended with this view, and 1t was strongly urged py
rnen like Mr.. Kimbal OF Ne@-York that IT would DC
breach OF good faith to attempt to oyertrn these con-
tracts at this late day. The most strenuous advocate OF
the Temperance men Mr. Nye of Maine. He was TOT
annung the contracts absolutely and stated that In
junction papers had already been prepared which would
endeavor TO restrain the Commission itself from permit
ting the sale.
motion offered by Mr.. Peters OF Georgia that the
contracts sustained for the reasons given by the
Solicitor. President Hawloy, while he woud be willing
70 allow the sale OF ales and the lighter wines at meals
was Of opinion the honorable way was to tender the
money back which the liquor sellers had expended, and
thus get rid OF the question OF good faith to those with
whom contracts had been made. On motion OF Mr..
Crawford OF Kansas the whole subject indefinitely
postponed tins practically referring the temperance
men the courts. The vote stood "a follows; Yeas,
Alabama Arizona. California Florida Georgia, Indiana,
Kansas, louisiana Minnesota, Missouri, Ncw-MexlcO,
NcwYOrk Ohio. South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas west
Virginia and Wisconsin; Nays, Arkansas, Connecticut,
Maine, Montana, Nebraska, New-Jersey Oregon Utah
Washington Tcrrtory-ls to