The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-03-11
THE LIQUOR DEALERS.

THE PLAN PROPOSED FOR ARREsrING vIoLAToRs
OF PIE EXCISE LAw-wHo Is RESPONSIBLE
FOR THE SALE OF LIQUOR WITHOUT Lie ENsE?
The Board of Aldermen has passed a resolution re.
questing the Mayor to direct the Commissioners of
Excise not TO the OF liquor dealers for
violations of the Excise laws committed when the
police courts in session at any other time than
during the sessions OF said courts. This resolution
which was offered by Alderman Reilly, has created
considerable COMMENT and to learn in light tho
Excise Commissioners viewed what the Aldermen
undertook make tho regulation for arrestlng
offending liquor sellers HERALD reporter called yeser-
day upon President George W. Morton, Of the L cse
Board.
WHERE THE ORIGINATED.
Mr.. Morton said that the Board had received no
directions in the matter from the Mayor nor other
official Of tho action OF the Aldermen and had
therefore, given attention TO the subject. The re-
porter asked Mr. Morton if he had any opinion as to
where such idea that embodied In the resolution
had gained origin?
"Peruaps l ought not to give my opinion on that,
he replied, but do believe that II the
liquor dealers think 1t is probable that some OF them
have been arrested at some time when Court not
sitting and have been compelled, much TO their dis
comhture, to remain in the station until court
opened. think the idea originated with men who
prefer TO be arrested at time when they be taken
immediately to court and at baod out, and thus
be put TO little or no Inconvenience"
'Can you say what action the Board will take In
the premisesy"
'sThat impossible TO say. My own opinion Is that
II violates the law he should be arrested as soon
thereafter practicable If he does not want To be
arrested he can very easily prevent 1t by traus-
crossing the law Ii the liquor dealer is detected in
breaking the law early in the day he then arrested
but he Is not caught UNTIL say, eight O'Clock tn the
evening" do not see why he should not then be taken
into custody merely because the Court has adjourned
tor the day. Persons committing crimes OF other
characters detained in prisons and station houses
until they obtain trial In Court, aud why should not
vioIators OF the excise law"
Inc conversation here turned upon the selling of
liquor by persons who have liconse and Mr.. horton
stated that there were about 3IJ licenses now In
force. lie explained that II was the duty of Board
OF Excise TO grant licenses all citizens good moral
character who applied tor them When an application
made TO Inc Board always ascertaiped
whether not the applicant OF reputable cuarac
ter ana II he would be apt TO keep disordery saloon
"For instance" said Mr.. Morton, sswnen Ownev
Geohegan tried to secure license was refused be.
we knew that hrs place a resort for danger.
characters We also heard that Joe Coburn in
tended TO apply, but II he had he would not have pro
cured IT, Mr.. Morton SAID that about twenty live
applications had been rejected during the last three or
lou months
LIQUOR SOLD WITHOUT LICENSE.
GLOW Is u, asked the writer, ''that liquor Is sold
In SO many places, the proprletors OF which hold no
nceusefo
''For that tho Excise Board is not responsible. The
police have the only power to arrest and II they per-
init any person sell without license we cannot be
held IN fault. All we have TO do grant licenses 10
proper parties"
Tue reporter learned that few OF the .buckct shops,,
and saloons in the vicinity OF Water street, in the
Fourth ward possessed OF lice nses us they are
their poisons openly, and apparently without any
oil