New-York tribune., 1878-02-15
TIE EXCISE QUESTION.

WARN DEBATE ON THE DAILY BIIl' IN IHf AsSh"ph'
SPEECHES BY Mr.. DAILY AND Mr.. GIIBERI'
IFRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRiBuNkI
ALBANY. Feb. 14.--The conflict over the Ex-
else Law fairly began in the Assembly to-day There
have been long discussions In the Committee
on Cities and In the Committee on Internal
Affairs abont the various bills modifying the law
but none seriously modifying 1t have been debated i'll
either chamber of the Legislature until to-day war
ot petons was fercey waged for several weeks IN the
SIGHT Of Senate and Assembly FOR week past there
has been only an occasional skirmsh OF this
kind The bill brought up for discussion ia
Committee OF the Whole, by those who favor
modification OF the law, was Mr.. Days Excise DILL
As is well known this bill modifes the Excise Law only
so far as II applies the City of NewYork rumor had
gone abroad that the bill would be debated and conse-
ouentlv all the galleries of the Assembly Chamber were
filed with spectators, and even the hoor was IN
yaded by those interested the BILL Tue spectators
represented both the temperance aud anutemperahce
parties. There only two speakers-Mr' Jaines
DAILY Anti-Tammauy Democrat, and Mr. John l. Gilbert
Renuhcau They were excellent representa-
tiyes OF country and city, Mr.. DAILY expressed
clearly the belief of many residents OF lhe
cities that the law of S57 could be wisely replaced py
one OF less restrictive nature concerning the sale OF
liouor by certain class of dealers. while Mr. Gilbert
powerfully argued that there is no need OF another law
and that the present ought to be enforced Mr. Days
speech although much shorter than Mr. Giberss, was
not as well by the Assembly 1t was too dscur-
sive dealt somewhat generaties, and the manner oi
the speaker at times not attractive. Mr. Gilbert
made long speeeh--it took over an hour III deIV-
ery-but held the close attention of the Assembly from
the BEGINNING to the end. The evidently tire
nendously in earnest thoroughly informed about
the various Excise laws, was acquainted
with the history of the passage OF the
law of 1870 by which it attempted
IN repeal the famous law of 1887, and convinced
that any modification OF the law would be great calan-
ity Moreover, he attacked severa of Mr. Days posi-
tons in flank and turned Them Altogether the eHect oi
the DAYS discussion to strengthen the opponents OF
any modification OF the law even in its appieation 10
cities Mr Gilbert heartily congratulated upon MS
brilliant speech after adjournment, by many members
Relov will be found extracts from the speeches OF Mr.
DAILY and Mr.. Gilbert:
THE DEBATE.
Mr. DAIY-This bill have abstained from moving
till to-day so as give ample opportunity to members
10 examine it, According the law OF 1887, license
cannot be given to any person sell liquor TO be drunk
ON the premises unless intends to keep an inn For
seven years the people lived under the bee lnat 9e
that il is we-settlcd principle in ethics
tn tGa5 Is eaSs the saviour turned water into
AT the marriage festival. It he had chosen he cond
into water There is something in human nature which
reyots at trick. The Legislature or dld not
an RS Of tbnSs followed the decision OF the Court Of
Appeals New-York City: Then 1t was ,ht men men
of irreprOachable character were dragged from rom
their sors at midnight and put no ,elons cell dhe
law Of 1857 Is not enforced IN New-norR "h'esc H.,
duty OF tue Legislature to modify or repeal H. say that
tbronehout ;hs Sta,e hope will consider il dispas
sionatey, dninfuenced by Gn9r dealers or To- 'e @ per
feet community but for society as as, IL Is 5, nne
mrC%P % S%s @n 'n ali se 66af 6s1s 1he s @
ance that have been erected Tor hfty years Ipl,scI
Will haye ave. more 9 feI ,h nresent ~ aw We ought to ege
in the light OF experience. Wh& IS the DesV wa! '" i
sGt n9 sts % he present law that there has not been
in twenty years, such au opportunity 70 pass ur @
futile the efforts of government to eecal
" the sale OF liquor The present m III VIII hSVe @ of
the low grOggeries OF the CITY, Inc question -
you will have law Ike the sn0' H n
Will not be enforced at all, or law tnaI o,aa eda
be enforced. / admnnsh those members VINO w0uiu n
thrust upon an unwilling community an obnoxious law
that history is repete with the foHy OF suS ACTION
munity to make upon another portion is sure to be
followed by defeat There is, Is to-day IN he NrT- rS
ing policy Of the rural districts to thWart
do not come representatives, OF prov
ince Have not community OF interests ~ i ,as
paned me to Of NewYork's sons here trauu,
cling their own home. Iehalengc comparison with any
by declaring ii the worst III tie wOilu.
Mr. Gbert-This is undoubtedly one OF the most I'm
portant measures before indorse what Mr. Daily
saws about the welfare of NewYork and 1t Is because
am concerned its welfare that amopposed to TINS Dill
1t tisa city set upon hill. and its Eight canro be hid
Who are tie persons who support THIS bill! NO one 30
far as 1 know, except the trafickers in liquor
The aggressive force the movement comes from the
Houor dealers In NewYork. Their attorneys are here In
the There and there is one VINO are the
men VINO oppose the bill They disinterested;
they represent the morality OF the Clty OF New, New
York. The bald, naked issue is: "Shau we nave
more rum sold Shall have more lntoAica-
ton in the City Of New-YorkP Yet gentlemen
ssy that IL is pill In the interest OF temperance
al another time that 1t is too rigorous Tat Is Just wt
IA the trouble with this law-it Is too rigorous Inc
charge is made that the law is the result OF nlck.
When was the trick executedf Was IL by those VINO
rnssed The law OF ls7Oa Was it by the Court Of Ap-
pealsl IL must have been one OF the Two. Ihe
sneaker here gave interesting history OF the passage
OF OF 1870. He charged that that law hau III ~
clause that intended syiy TO aDodish the raw oI
IS57 but that the authors OF the bill failed OF their
purpose. He then went oh as follows: Ihe gente--
man has referred to CDrlsts action at the marriage eat
ton than the BenefeeDt One would IN this Gay,
favor the unresraned sale OF spirituous liquors. aud
look calmly upon all the misery that would IoIOw
such USE That Is biasphemous The rum tralhc
strikes down the immortal spirit: are you
ready to approve bill which would increase an
this ruin and misery. The present law Is not chaotc
On the contrary IL il perfectly pla-tOO pam Ior Tue
astute lawyers who are taking the money OF the liquor
dealers. They want o new law which VIII give thein
an opportunity TO pick flaws ana earn more oi tne
wages OF sin. The law Of 1897 Is Tehteous Jaw;
the fact that orderloyipg portion OF the people oi
New-York determined TO IL for the prOecuOn
OF the people NewYork has brought these men here
in swarms to have q different law passed we snould
sion would be without wise legislation to ad IT,
The Legislature ought not to pass bill which would add
TO the nOn-prOdncers. - --.- , -.
The committee rose and progress was reported oTthe
bill.
OTHER IEGISI .ATfVE WORK.