The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-23
THE EXCISE LAW.
Orders Issued to the Police to
Enforce 1t To-Day.
SPIES ON PATROLMEN.
The National Temperance Society and
the Mayor.

There we're fewer people around the Office or the
Excise Commissioners yesterday than on any day
since the beginning OF the trouble Those who camc
principally applicants for beer and ale licenses,
accompanied by friends to vouch TOR them, and now
and then by politician whose influence had been
sought to win the favor OF tho Com mssioners. Tho
rctail liquor dealers, who depend mainly upon the
sale OF ardent spirits did trouble themselves to
visit the Excise Commissioners but remained at homo
or gathered around the City Hail. anxiously watching
The progress OF trial OF the Police Commissioners
the oyerworK and excitement OF the past Two weeks
has commenced 10 tell the members OF tho Excise
Board and they yesterday closed tho Office doors at
four O'Clock The usual weekly report OF the number
OF applications for licenses together with the amount
OF money received, was not made known. Commits
sioncr Murphy who has been complaining Tor day
or two past, went home quite sick.
COMMISSIONER EgnARDrs COMMANDS.
The police captains OF the various precincts were
again summoned the Central once just before dark,
and cautioned relax their efforts to enforce the
Excise law They were givcn plainly to understand
that they would DO held strict accountability for
any neglect to do Tho instructions were read out TO
the captains by superintendent Waiting in he presence
nj Commissioners Erhardt Tho strctest enforcement
Of tho Sunday law also ordered, and the mcm-
bers Of the Steamboat squad have been instructed TO
rcnort for duty this morning citizens clothes They
urc to BIO distributed the city TO see that patrol
men do wink at violations of the law II Is safe TO
say that another wholesale raid the saloon Keepers
who may venture 10 remain open to-day u be
made and tho police court scenes OF tho past two
weeks be repeated. The police captains who have
boon between the two horns OF dilemma since tue
Mayor preferred charges against the Commissioners
must make choice. Their position Is per-
t.xtn. M, mora 10 mt nj
but obey commands OF their superiors they are
aware that those very commands are made the basis
Of charges against them.
rrxPERANcE MEN BEFORE THE MAYOR
A delegation from tho National temperance society,
headed by Mr. William i. Dodge called upon Mayor
Ely yesterday morning IN relation 10 the auninlstra
OF Excise law and the pending charges against
the Police Commissioners. MIR. Dodge was tho first
speaker He said that he came as the representative
OF The National Temperance Society, which had ex
listed under two organizations for period OF forty
years. They had watched with great anxiety the
progress Of lnlemperauce in this city. Much suffer.
ing and increased taxation upon property had re-
suited from The manner IN winch the Excise
law had boon enforced. Thousands oil per-
sons were engaged in the liquor traffic IN New
York without warrant OF law, filling our city
with paupcrsm aud CRIME When he (Mr. Dodgc)
that Mayor Ely was about TO assume the rcspon-
sibiy OF the municipal government everybody felt
thousands OF citizens VINO ala not belong TO the
same political party with Mr. Ely who had voted for
him Tor the Office Of Mayor Ihey had watched his
career up TO the present time with appreciation. A
good deal OF anxiety felt by the respectable law
abiding citizens In the result C the investigation AS
10 the Police commissioners. Some OF them feared
that the Mayor was about do that which would
teraly interfere with tho prosperity CT the CITY. They
Did not wish TO see any interference with men VINO
had done their duty III carrying out the law at The
cutlery OF n class ot men who had done nothing but
increase The taxes OF our city for years. he had
heard opinions from all quarters IN this spirit As TO
the condition OF the Streets the speaker considered
them as cean as at any llma wtnin tho past ten
years If the Police Commissioners were removed
AZ the present time u would DO Gcathblow 10 the
order OF Now YORK He believed that he expressed
tho feelings oil thousands OF respectable citzeps wto
felt exceedingly erisved o. tho prospect Of Bremox
OF tho omm,ssion.rs nj ouicry IRON mon VINO
had been engaged IN destroying tho city.
DR.. Siearns, corresponding secretary OF tho Ma
fional Ten SOCIETY, addressed Inc Mayor
He commenced by entering INTO an explanation Of
the Excise law
Mayor E--l hope the secretary will not enter into
any Argument as to the Excise law. l need no argu-
ment upon thai subject Whatever the laws are
they shall be enforced vigorously and TO tho best OF
my ability.
people oil the state AS 10 The Excise law. He con-
sid,red that GOO licensed notcs would give all the
liquor needed Tor tins city. He hoped the Commas
toners would not be removed because they enforced
tie law.
Mayor Ely agreed with tina speaker as TO the gen.
eral question OF enforcing all laws
Rev. DIR. Sabine Endorsed what Mr. Dodge had said.
Rev. DR.. Brewer hoped that His Honor would be
guided by that Power above winch always led to
results
Rev. DR.. Jewett suggested that attempt car ry
the Excise law would certainly DO met with
Clamor, as tue Hquor dealers were systematic law
breakers
MIR. Powell also spoke in the same tone with the gen.
tleman who preceded him. He concluded by suggest
ing the appointment oil committee OF three by the
Mayor, consisting OF Jurist, physician ami a mer-
chant, VINO would thoroughly examine the question
10 dealing with inebriaes, and also 10 inquire 10
what alcohol is doing tho city II alcohol was dong
good Then the Police Commissioners were wrong, al
any rate. In enforcing the Excise law In spasmodic
manner a report upon thcso subjects would be OF
immense value at the present time.
THE MAYORS RESPONSE.
Mayor Ely, In reply, said: With reference TO Mr.
PowelPs remarks tho ground he suggests has already
bcea pretty thoroughly gone over but think the APP
continent OF sucn a commission might be productive
of very beneficial results In response 10 tue general
remarks oil your committee VIII say that although
say but little in regard TO tho Police Com
mssioncrs investigation, the impression which
some endcavoring to create that l assail
the Commissioners because OF their too vigorous
execution OF the law Is absolutely error. What
complain OF Is that they do not vigorously
all laws regularly ana AZ all times; aud no matter
Objectionable tho present Comm toner's might be 1
should never consent TO their removal unless clt
quite certain that their SUCCESSORS would enforce all
the laws OF the state better ana more faithfully.
think, gentlemen, good citizen has anything 10
fear from this investigation. Upon whichever sidc
The decision may tie see clearly that tho best good
al the public VIII Do promoted. IL new Commission
ers are appointed by me | will appoint who
Will not devote his entire Tine and energy to the
torccmcnt oil law and order; ana II tho present Com
mssioucrs should not De removed this investigation
Will stim uate Them increased zeal and cffcIcucy
The delegation then Withdrew.