New-York tribune., 1878-12-18


captain, q sergeant and five patrolmen. The cap
tain states that 9s T lGf and
fifty per MONTH Seven was tho number lor
November-n fact II only SIX, as one OF them got
tpsy on tue night before the went into operation,
but was not arrested until the following day Tue whole
number OF arrests all charges each month Is about
100 and the number af persons locked up on other
charges than drunkenness shows corresponding ue-
crease, because many crimes grow out Of that.
"Anoher point that the class OF persons most injured
by drinking find II impossible 10 tainllquor Tue poor
sauander weeks earnings find to sell MIN
rum because does he venture In the streets in
drunken condition than he is arrested and forced to
testify against those who sold him the liquor That class
of drinkers is then benefited by the law, and
bring this ABOUT that the moderate drinkers suf
fer annoyance and strangers total 0eDryatioD.
Again, the houses where gambling and other vices
flourish complain Of the new law; 1t seems odd at
the first blush that tney should be afraid 70 break
one law In establishments which depend for their ex
isence upon the infringement OF another but 1t Will
be seen that If their customers became intoxicated
places where the liquor was obtained and that would
lead to the latter being closed Cider Is about the
ouence they are less frequented formerly There
nothing TO overstmulse the fire inc blood in
trsry, indeed, is its effect Ne%Hayeh has voted
70 abolish licensing OF the liquor traffic by majority
OF the will be found there"
EXAMPLES FROM NEw-YoRK.
But we have had striking example in our own city.
The Metropolitan Excise law Of 1860 was absolutely
probibtory on Sundays Prior TO that law there had
been no material difference in the number Of arrests
Taking Tuesdays for comparison there were from Janu-
ary l. 1867 October J. 1868 OF Tuesday arrests H.
O3l; OF Sunday arrests. 6263, showing differ
ence of 577l. larger difference probably prevails
under present law and the older citizens talk OF the
quiet and good order that now exist on sundays as III
striking the condition OF things when liquors
freely sold on the Sabbath.
On the day OF our annual elections statute draws
around each polling place circle OF absolute prohDl-
tiOD within which intoxicating drinks may DC s0d or
given. COuasled with former days, who fails to reeog-
the chJnge from excitement disorder and crime TO
almost universal quetude and pescei And who does
not that the measure OF peace depends upon the
vigilance with (which the police enforce the statute
During the spasmodic effort OF the police authorities OF
this city abOu 10 enforce the Excise law
one OF the Police Commissioners told me that III bis
opinion for crime other than for breaches or the
Excise laws had fallen on between 30 and 40 per cent
Yet general and complete enforcement OF
the law. This fact speaks volumes for what might be
accomplished IN New-York.
But an here TO argue for prohibition. Ny sole
purpose is 10 establish that iutemperunce evil
factor IN crime by showing that whatever limits
presses the one, dinnshes the other IN ratio almost
mathematcay certain. Whether judging from the dc
clared judicial experience OF Others from my or
from carefully collected statistics running through nhny
seres Of years believe entirely safe say that one
half Of all the crime OF this country and Of Great Brat