The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-06-13
WAR ON RUM.

CONFERENCE BETWEEN THE POLICE BOARD AND
THE SOCIETY FOR TIE PREVENTION OF
CRIME-FURTHER CONFERENCES NECESSARY.
Tho Society for the Prevention OF Crime Of which
Howard Crosby, OF tho University OF New York, Is
President; James Stuart, A. Il Van Nest and Il. II.
shannon, Vice Presidents sent u committee OF two
Messrs. L. d. Culver and II. II. Shannon-to the
Board OF Police yesterday 10 ask that body's co-opera
ton in the enforcement of the EXCISE law,
defined by the recent decision Of the Court Of APP
peals. The four Commissioners wero present. and
MIR. Culver explained TO them just what his society
d. s.red.
WAS WANTED.
He said that this might be summed up in brief
description Of the classes OF licenses which should
only be granted under the Law OF 1857 which
''rcbound'' OF the Prohbtory law oil lS54 That Of
1870 seemed to many to have given the Board of Ex
the right TO issue licenses TO dealers in this city
who have every contributed, by their existence
to increase OF crime. By the decision Of
tho Court OF Appeals and clause also in The act of
$780, which virtually ro-enacted tho law of 1857.
only two kinds Of licenses could be granted
one to tsverns and inns; the other to store
keepers, who thereby authorized sell
liquor, not be drank on the premises. Owing to
the misconstrucon of the Law prior the action OF
the Court Of Appeals many have gone into the
liquor business perfect good faith Against these
DIP to the present moment 1t was not the socety's
desire TO proceed legally. But now, from this day
FORTH he asked that the Board Of Police take stops
stop their illegal trade and TO shut up and arrest a
who had not proper licenses In this why Mr.. Culver
thought groggeries could be closed and ono great
step IN the direction OF reform no taken.
rHK NECESSARY CONVICTION MACHINERY.
President Smith suggested that In this
other efforts Tor reform had shown that alone the
police could do very ttlc without the cooperation OF
| law II
the Board OF Excise should act with tho Police Com.
mssioners on y basis which would ensure the punish
| ment OF v0Iatofs OF the excise aftcr arrest
/ The Excise Board should have some undersanL
Ing regarding the validity or the license granted
tho police Justices should be prepared act
dccisivcly and tho District Attorney TO prosecute
/ people whom tho police arrested for illegally selling
| liquors All OF these gentlemen should be conferred
with and their the subject received to
best method OF aiding Society Tor the Prevention
OF Crime IN the urthcrance OF its object.
Mr.. H. Il. shannon concurred with President smith,
and informed him that he aud Mr. Culver had
ranged meeting with the Board OF Excise, TO take
| place at eleven O'Clock ths morning. Conferences
with the other departments II was their intention to
have as soon as possible. Speaking OF The police
Justices, he remarked that II was msdcmcanor Tor a
magistrate to refuse TO receive and act promptly
complaint OF TINS character.
| SUMMERS
| Commissioner Erhaut called tho attention OF the
gentleman TO the futile efforts oil tho police to punish
vioaiors OF the Sunday Liquor law last summer Men
were arrested, the Justices who day night
Tor the purpose could only admit the offender TO bail
IN $780, and he would leave the court and return 10
his 10 sell liquor immediately. No matter how
often arrested these meh lad their 6ondsmen al hand
to 70 bail Tor them. The Justices were III doubt
the 0 the law and therefore gave IN
| prisoner the benefit oil that doubt In his judemoL
there should be method vi disposing Of pians,
between the departments suggested
by General smith, would DO tho true way 10 doviso It.
MI Culver then SAID that he meant 10 asK the Board
II 1t could not detail men IN col0red clothes TO acquire
evidence against The delinquent dealers.
| POLICEMEN MADE DRrxKARps.
i The President suggested that this question Of cvi.
dence VITAL ana u became absolutely necessary
for the complainant TO be able " swear that what
sold the bar distilled liquor, and 10 enable
him 10 make such AFFIDAVIT he must have tasted the
article Neither he nor HIS conrcrcs were disposed 10
assign men 10 duty that would certainly make
drunkards VI them
NO said General smith, "wo won't allow men
| to drink for the purpose oil obtaining evidence"
"Wcl said Mr. Cuvor, ''0nly officers have the right
to demand u mans license Tor oxamin nation NUno,
therefore, that We might select Tor the collation. Of
evidence would be OF any possible use."
President smith thought that alter the committee
had The other depart ncnts JOINT conference Of
tho whole would settle this difficulty.
LIST or THE LlcESsELEss.
Mr.. Culver asked tho Board 10 give the committee
list OF the licensed anu Illegal dealers IN the city The
Board, IN executive SESSION, atcrward resolved To
give committee all the formation ~ possesses
| Tho conference then Terminated.