davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-12
Light ON tho Liquor Law.

The Commissioners of Excise seem to be
doing their best to prevent people from un-
derstanding the Excise law, and to create
the impression that they are themselves too
ignorant to know their duties under very
plain statute. The president of the Board
and Commissioner Murphy have talked
great deal on the subject, but have displayed
a wonderful lack of intelligence in what
they have said. an affectation Of stupidity
presume to be insincere. Commissioner
Morton has quite sufficient brains to know
that he has only o simple duty to perform
under the law of 1867, and to understand
we'll enough what the duty is.
The only license which the Commission
ers of Excise have the legal right to grant,
authorizing liquor to be sold in small guam
titles and drunk on the premises, is set
forth in section Of the law of 1857
License shall not be gran,ed'to any person to sell
the premises OF the persons icensei, unless
proposes ~ keep an inn, cavern or hotel
less the Comm ssioners are satisfied That the applicant
good character that he uhlcen ability
TO keep int, tavern hotel, aud the necessary
to entertain travellers, and that inn
ton OF travellers the place where applicant
resides proposes keep the same all which shall
be expressly stated in such license, and such license
shall be grated except on the petition OF less
than twenty respectable treehodcrs OF this State.
siding The elecIon district where such Inn, tavern
or hotel Is proposed to be kept by them duly sigued
ana verned by the oath Of a subscribing witness an
not then unless IN the opinion Of the commissioners
inn, tavern or hotel IL necessary or proper
not more than one license shall be granted ON the me-
moral of the same petitioners or any OF them. All
petitions upon which licenses shall be granted
n Ia n oh DAYS
And 10 toe commissioners shall graft any license
contrary to the provisions Of this act they shall be
deemed guilty OF msdemcanoT
Nowthis is the only authority under which
the Excise Board can grant licenses to sell
liquor to be drunk on the licensed premises.
Certainly its provisions are plain and easily
understood. The decision rendered yester-
day by Justice Smith does not alter or affect
the question, as it only covers licenses tor
the sale of ale or beer. 1t is alleged that the
Commissioners receive money from persons
applying for licenses and give receipts
without any intention OF granting or refusing
licenses to the parties making the deposit.
BY this means they hope to evade the penal
ties of the law and hence are anxious that
their receipts for money shall be accepted by
the police as licenses. But they are no more
licenses than are a saloon keepers receipts
for liquor purchased, and it will be singular
if the Police Commissioners voluntarily
render themselves liable to prosecution for
misdemeanor for wilful neglect Of duty in
the penalties of the law Of 1857.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-12
: The fam;l;ar;tv with danger that breeds

II the familiarity with danger that breeds
contempt in the minds Of contractors, with
regard to blasting rock, sometimes subjects
them and their men to loss OF life or hmo
that is no reason why their work
should be permitted by the authorities
to inspire terror in the innocent resi-
dents in the vicinity and others who
may be equally endangered by the work.
Experienced miners know that when heavy
charges of powder are used for breaking up
rock of peculiar formation even the ordinary
precautions of covering the blast are not
sufficient to insure safety But when such
charges are used within the built-up portion
of city without even the ordinary pre-
cautions the danger to life and property
becomes so serious as to call for the inter-
vention of the authorities. 1t seems that
New York is peculiarly unfortunate in this
respect. Contractors imagine because they
have q ''pull" with the Aldermen and are
shall fellow we'll met with a police justice
that they are authorized to lombard dwell
ing houses or shake whole blocks OF build
ings to their foundations without becoming
amenable to the law. In this they are en-
tirely wrong. No one is bound to suffer
the least inconvenience, much less danger,
because Mr.. Contractor has job OF
grading rock at so much less per
yard than will pay him to do his
work carefully. We earnestly recon.
mend every citizen who suffers even
the loss of pane of glass by blasting
to sue the contractor, his employer and
even the city for damages. If in this way
can. as it certainly should, be demonstrated
that private citizens are entitled to common
safety for their persons and property the
price Of rock excavation may 60 up, but the
people of New York will be certain that
they dwell in peaceful American city, and
not in Rustchuk or Kars. Really if the
Russians seriously desired to render a Turk
ish town untenable, all they need do is to
induce the Sultan to employ cor IS OF New
York contractors to grade lots or cut
sewer trench through the best-built sections
of the place.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-12

better of in any direction than we are any
where within it Even for suburban COM
munication New Jersey is preferred to West
chester county, simply because the journey
to Forty-second street is itself equal to
journey of twenty miles outside the city.
Yet that is point reached by the best
OF the horse car lines that start from the
neighborhood Of the Post Office AS pointed
out by Senator Conkling the form Of the
city is favorable to comprehensive scheme
of rapid transit. 1t is also an acknowledged
fact that all the elements that could give
such q scheme success are here. 1t is SO
supreme necessity that its patronage
would be great The genius and the enter
prise to overcome all the physical diff
culties are at hand, and the CAPT.
tai is to be had. Yet while in
other large cities passengers are moved
on great lines of travel with all the
facilities Of steam and right of way, here
alone the people submit to be tediously
dragged on rickety trans by broken
winded nags, the right Of way subject to all
the accidents Of obstructed streets. All OF
which is an evidence that there is less self
help in us, as q people, than we fancy,
and that we have made the people
supreme in the theory Of the law only
to give that supremacy practically to two
or three absolutely pitiful monopolies. Two
or three horse car companies and a knot OF
obstructive property owners can defeat year
after year the accomplishments purpose
that is equally necessary to the proper
growth of the city and the comfort and con-
venience of the people. How long shall
this continue?
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-12

THE WEATHHR.--Light rains fell yesterday in
the Northwest, the Mississippi Valley, the West
ern lake region aud on the Atlantic coast north
ward OF Sandy Hook The pressure rose yes
terslay III the West and in Canada and
On the North Atlantic coast. 1t fell in
tho central districts. The area Of highest
barometer is now south oi the Tennessee line
and west OF the Lower Mississippi aud the lowest
in the Lower Missouri Valley slight variations
of temperature occurred over the country, and
except in the Northwest, where brisk to high
winds prevailed, the winds were very moderate.
Tie weather in New York to-day will be warm
and partly cloudy. or cloudy, possibly with oc-
casional shower
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-12

THE CRIMINAL STATISTICS for the past twelve
months average about the same in previous
years. Thirty-three thousand persons are
dsordcry conduct, or more than one-third Of the
whole number set down in the years criminal
calendar. The statistics do very great injustice
10 fine character of the city. Thousands OF
arrests are made by the police without just
cause. but at the end Of the year they 20 to
swell the criminal figures. To get at fair est-
mate the disposition OF the cases in the courts
ought to be given.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-12

1t is the duty of the police to prevent the
sale of liquor in unlicensed saloons, to ar
rest disorderly persons and TO close gam
bling houses and all other places where ille-
gal pursuits are followed. The captain
of precinct who performs this duty we'll
simply does what he is paid for doing, and
deserves no more credit than is due to any
efficient pubic officer. But some members
of the police appear anxious to enforce the
laws in such a manner as to attract at
tention to themselves and to create sensa-
ton. Thus we constantly hear of Saturday
night raids and descents on immoral and
disorderly houses just at the moment they
are the most crowded with the irequenters
of such haunts so that the large number of
prisoners muy make o show in the public
streets and police courts and give notoriety
to the name of the officer causing the
arrests. Such exhibitions of extreme zeal
are by no means a proof of thoroughly
the suspicion that always attaches to clap
trap in the performance of plain duty.
OF course persons who frequent illegal and
disorderly places render themselves liable
to the penalty attaching to such offences.
Nevertheless it does not seem just or proper
any other disreputable resort to be kept
open in the full face Of the public and the
police, and then to suddenly close the
doors when number Of persons are inside
and drag them all off to jail. A stranger
may enter such establishments in the con-.
fdence that as they are openly carried on
the law sanctions them, and may thus
be caught in trap which ought not to be
set for the unwary. Probably nine-tenths
OF the young women who are periodically
escorted to the station house by vigilant
police tor being found in dance house are
unconscious that they are committing an
offence or that the place is kept open in vio-
lation OF the law. 1t would be far better if
the police would prevent the opening of
such places instead of suffering them to be
set as so many traps to catch large haul of
prisoners. But then that would be quiet.
unobtrusive way OF performing police duty,
and would not afford an opportunity Tor
sensational reports to raise the reputation
Of captain Then, again, these raids
give rise to the suspicion that sundry
Incidental profits sometimes accrue from
the capture of some unfortunate visitor
who is willing to escape exposure
at any reasonable cost There has also
been great deal of unnecessary noise
made over the arrest Of unlicensed liquor
dealers, and the Police Commissioners did
right to instruct the force on Friday that
persons who may be found at their places
OF business all day should not be arrested
after the police courts are closed, but in the
morning. when they can at once give the
necessary bail and avoid being locked up or
needlessly delayed in custody. Saturday
night wholesale arrests and tussy raids are
quite unnecessary, and should be prohibited
by the Police Commissioners. An officer
who always wants to make a great deal of
noise over his captures" may fairly be re-
gardcd with some suspicion.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-12
The Military Situation ia the East.

The Military Situation fn the East.
The character of the dispatches that
reach as from the seat of war in the East
indicates that the situation has been but
little changed during the past few days.
The Russians, fully realizing the extent
and influence of the reverses they re-
Gently suffered at Plevna, are not yet
are receiving heavy reinforcements The
Turks appear not to have energy enough to
improve magnificent opportunity or force
enough in position to do anything effective
in the direction of Nicopolis and Sistova.
Both sides continue on the defensive, but
the Russians are rapidly recognizing for
an advance TO form correct conception
of the military situation we refer our read
ers to the map published on an
other page, which shows the rela-
tive positions Of the belligerent ar
mics. Although fighting defensive
campaign the Turks are compelled to
operate on exterior lines, and cannot effect
junction of their eastern and western
armies north of the Balkans. General
Gourkhas forces in the passes effectually
bar the advance of Suleiman Pacha from
Roumelia at a point where he could do
most good namely, where his army would
form the connecting link between those
of Osman Pacha and Mehemet Ali. Should
he slip around and join either commander
the situation would not be improved
Co. rIc
remain standing menace, and Roumelia
would be again uncovered. The danger to
the Russians now lies in their making a
series Of unsuccessful assaults with weak
detachments on the intrenched positions of
the Turks, thus expending their strength
and injuring the morale of their army.
The Russians really cannot afford
another blunder like that at Plevna.
When they strike again it must be
crushing blow that will utterly de-
molish the western army of the Turks or
drive Mehemet Ali into Shumla. If they
hope to capture Rustchuk there must be no
Turks at Rasgrad or Osman Bazaar to
threaten an interruption of the operations.
That the Russians are confident OF their
ability to do something big is proved
by the Cars hesitation to accept
the aid of Servia He doubtless desires
to conciliate Austria by this means; but if
Servian aid was necessary to his success he
could probably rely on Germany to keep
Austria quiet. The Russians want halt
dozen Gourkhas at the front and Grant or
Moltke at Bjela. With their excellent cav
airy they should be raiding on Osman
Pachas communications with Sophia and
Widdin and cutting off his supplies. Even
the abstemious Turk must eat. In Armenia
the game of hide and seek progresses. Un-
important. skirmishing is all we learn of
from the headquarters of the Grand Duke
Michael. The Turkish game is to delay the
Russian advance until the season of snow
and cold sets in. Then fighting or march
ing on the elevated plateaus Of Armenia
will be impossible, and both armies must
retire to winter quarters.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-12

would be ordered at this time But the
engineers who struck with their trainmen'
it is said, fear expulsion from the Brother
hood on account of their action, and rasher
than submit TO this are inclined to urge
general strike, as a way OF justifying them
selves. We hope the Brotherhood VIII act
prudently aud sensibly. This is not good
time for Strikes
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-12

Loss OF STEAMSHIP. Our South American
dispatches report the total destruction Of large
steamer seventy miles north of Valparaiso, be-
longing to the Pacific Steam Navigation Com
pany. 1t is estimated that hundred lives
have been lost. Some Of the unfortunate pas
scngers succeeded in getting on the rocks only
to die from starvation or in their despair plunge
into the waves from which they had once es-
cnneu
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-12

JUSTICE SMITHS long expected decision in the
Excise cases has come at last. 1t was a severe
mental strain OH the Justice, having kept him in
painful state of physical prostraton for nearly
two months. The four simple compliant
dismissed prisoners dscharged"-of which it
consists give, of course, idea of the intellec-
tual agony through which he has passed.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-12

The WHOLESALE FALL TRADE will begin in
very few days and our leading merchants and
jobbers are looking forward to a very large bust
ness, particularly with the South and West.
Excellent reports are received from every quar-
ter in regard to the crops, and good crpps mean
full pockets, bank accounts and business. The
outlook is rather encouraging.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-12

WALL STREET YEsrERDAY.-The stock market
was strong and little more active Gold re-
mains quiet at 1O5l4 Government bonds were
firm, States dull but steady and railroads quiet
and strong. Money on call was easy at Dig
= / l2 per cent.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-12

PERU, according to the latest advices, is en-
joyng profound peace. All traces of the late
rebellion have disappeared; taxes are freely
paid everywhere, and busy preparations are
making for the Paris Exposition.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-12

An UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENT married the rae
ing at Saratoga yesterday, one of the horses
having fallen and seriously injured his rider.
The attendance was very large, and the differ
ent contests were excellent
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-12

The WORKING GIRLS had another enjoyable
excursion yesterday, through the ibcrality Of
the proprietor of the Rockaway Steamboat line.
Dor some reason or ANOTHER all the tickets were
not taken, and one thousand more persons could
have been accommodated
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-12

HARTFORD, Conn, is shocked at the discovery
that the Chinese Commissioner, who lives in the
fashionable quarter of the city, rejoices in the
possession of more wives than New England
custom piety permits He has fallen back on
his diplomatic privileges, and Hartford does not
see exactly what can be done about it,
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-12

The HERALD special newspaper train to Sara
toga, Sharon and RichJield Springs, Lake Lu=erne
and Lake George and all intermediate points, ria
Hudson River, Albany and Schenectady, runs
erery Sunday during the summer season. Ne,cs-
dealers must send in their orders direct to the New
YORK HERALD
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-12

THE EMPLOYMENT of convict labor in the Ten
nessee mines is likely to lead to serious trouble
There is no strike among the workingmen, but
a grasping mining company unwisely intends to
ill their places with felons, and society on the
Molly Mcguire order has been established.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-12

Mr.. EvARTs will do well to look at that
boundary line which our British cousins are
drawing in British Columbia. A harbor and a
good sized slice of territory appear to have been
4aietly appropriated.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-12

From ossr reports this morning the probabilities
are that the .ceather in Nesc York today ,ciH be
iearm and partly cloudy, or cloudy, possibly
scih occasional sh0,cers
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-12

PoLo.-Interesting matches were played yes
terday at Long Branch and Newport. The
large attendance Of ladies and gentlemen shows
the growing popularity of this exciting sport.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-12

The HERALD ,ciu be sent 10 any address, free of
yostage, for One Dollar per month.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-12
ADJUSTMENTS TOMORROW.

NIBL0's GARDEN-PooR or Nxw YoEx
01LMoRE's CONCERT 0ARDEN-susnR CONCERT.
BOwERY NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. VARIETY PERFORMANCE.
WOODS THEATRE-UscLK Toss CABIN.
NEW YORK AQUARIUM -QrxKR FISHES.
PARK THEATRE-BABY
FIFTH AVENUE THEArRE-AH SIN
UNION SQUARE THEATRE-PooR 10.
GRAND OPERA HOUSE, KERRY Gov.
CENTRAL PARK GARDEN-vARixrr.
THEATRE COMiQUE-vAnnTr.
TlvoLl THEATKE-vARErY
TONY PAsTOR's-vARrrY COMBINATION.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-12
GU ADRUPLE SHE EFT

NEW YORK, SUNDAY. AUGUST 70. 1877.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1877-06-20

"a tribute which Mr. Hendricks has well
earned by his long and honorable career as a
citizen and public servant, by 1.-The labor
and loyalty" he has paid to the great consti-
tutional party and by his dignlfied and con-
sistent demeanor during the late contest and
since its close. In his speech Mr. Hendricks
uttered the sentiments of every true demo-
crats-and, for thai matter, of every honest
man-when he declared thar the great crime
against popular government which was con-
summated last March will neither be forgot
ten nor condoned, because those who were
raised to place and power by it have been
forced by the overwhelming pressure of pub
lie opinion and the irresistible logic of
events to adopt the democratic policy, do
justice to the south and bow to the suprem-
acy of the constitution. He also struck the
keynote of the occasion and appreci-
ated its real significance when
he interpreted it as one of
a thousand signs which show that
sectional sentiments and policies of passion
have spent their force in this country. His
appeal to the citizens of this great metropo-
lis to recognize the intimate relations which
bind up their hopes and their future with
the prosperity of the great west and the
great south will be felt far beyond the
bounds of mere party allegiance. The time
has come for the citizens OF New York to
arouse themselves to new and lively sense
of the true position of this great city, and to
shake themselves free of the wretched and
belittling political influences which have
done so much in all these later years to
cramp its energies and to undermine the
very foundations of its greatness. As was
becoming in the circumstances Mr. Tilden
in few brief and well-considered remarks,
confined himself to reinforcing the earnest
emphasis with which the guest of the even
ing, his associate in the triumph which was
last year won at the polls by the constitu-
tional democracy of the nation, and in the
wrong by which that triumph was annulled,
adjured the people to keep their confidence
still mistaken in the vitality of the great
principles OF our republican government.