The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-02-02
THE EXCISE BUREAU.

HE EAClSE BUhEAU.
PLACE FOR SOME wEEKs-A QUASI oLGANlzA-
TIoN OF THE BOARD.
Tho Excise Commissioners, two in number,
organized SO far yesterday that at tho instance and
With the full approval Of Dr. Merkie the presidency oil
the Board assumed by Mr.. Richard ). Morrsson
A resolution was adopted that ices De hereafter
received until licenses granted and ready for
delivery to applicants no matter whe thoy may be-
The two new Commissioners havo had busy time
OF II overhaung the books and papers OF the depart.
menl and sctting affairs right Day before yester
day they spent putting things in shape and blocking
out reforms. Commissioner MORRISON thinks hc has
an excellent mission 10 fulfil in efccting such reform
that by lis efficiency and honest direction in the
future the Excise Bureau, place of being subjected
to suspicion and reproachui CRITICISM, Will compare
iavorably with any department OF the city govern
in the integrity and iuteig ence OF lis adm MIS-
traton. "we have made step in The right direction
&c begin with, SAID Mr. MORRISON. 10y adopting that
receive no moro lees until licenses are
granted That practice OF Issuing receipts in advance
oil the licenses and taking the money OF tho applicants
open grave objecton, and mny be SAID 10 DO A.
the bottom OF Whatever Irregularities the bureau
may be charged WITH IL will not be SO IN future We
shall in auation 10 enforcing the resolution adopted
to-day. that the inspection or R applications for
licenses be rgiaiy enforced, and In time this bureau
viii be found TO deserve, II II does not command, the
public con hdence.'
WHAT DIR. MERKLE THINKS.
DR.. Merk'e, unlike his colleague, Mr. Morrissou Is
an man, but iuil Of youthful enthusiasm about the
reform OF the Excise Bureau and Its establishment in
u more satisfactory way 10 the public. he said tho
place was upsi down needed much overhauling.
They found papers missing or astruy and lack Of
method IN the conduct OF the department "Au
this - said he 1--WE are nxious 10 remedy and will
leave nothing undone to make the model department
OF me city government To-day We gave instructions
cation Tor honestly and without evasion or be
responsible for tho consequences, and II these IN
spectors all suspected OF not performing their
work faithfully We shalt constitute ourselves IN.
Ex.PREsipENT MoRroNs EXPLANATIONS.
Mr.. George w. Morton, late presioent OF the Board.
said regard to Governor Robnsons letter removing
him from his ofnce 1.-The Governor lays some httle
the fnct OF treasurer being selected by US
being contrary TO Jaws but II can't be ga,nsaid that
II this is not department under the CITY gov
chincry by which the affairs OF tho CITY are
conducted The Commissioners are appointed by
the Mayor the money derives - rom Licenses s..
propriated by tho city government to certain uses
within the city. 1t vas natural enough Tor tnis de-
parlment pursue the same practice as obtains in
every other depart OF the city, which, on being
organized selects It's president, treasurer and chief
CLERK Anyhow, custom has sanctioned this desisna-
ton OF a treasurer and we were the rst initiate
1t. IL has been the practice since 1865 As to the
matter OF receiving money Tor licenses IN advance, TO
which the Governor emphaticaiiy OBJECTS II 10 no
more strange than Tor the Hudson River Railroad
Company to charge for ticket before the passenger
How is Il, Mr. Morton, you allowed SO large an
amour. OF money 70 accumulate before paying 1t over
TO the Chamberlain Z"
..rhe occasion was extraordinary. Very little money
had accumulated the treasurer's hands up 70 the
OF the police raids. When these occurred there
great OF people here and some $4U 900 were
oar hands IN no time went TO Comptroller Kelly
and Corporation Counsel Whitney and told them OF
the and asked II II would be tho proper
thing TO It to the Chamberlain. Their opin.
that the licenses represent This money had
not vet been issued It would De advisable 10 retain
III Ongtfa nat n IN
to DO returned IN case the applications were refused
The money was retaued, but subsequently taken ior
deposit TO the Germania Exchange Bank BY Murphy.
Not dollar Of excise money eyer went through my
hands, and in reference TO the Governors general
guilty not alone OF negligence, out even OF naien-
ton TO the duties imposed upon me here Though
democrat the same a. Murphy, was not on the
best Of terms with him, and he and Sir. Patterson AZ
they made majority OF tue Board, could nave thtnks
their way. am really glad 10 be relieved OF Inc
duties have been performing, because they were
thankess and unsatisaotory ~ the lass degree. and
without egotsm will say that If had not remained
~ the Board though was my Intention some .ame
all the excise money-$lS00OO-in place Of the
amount he Took II Was my constant anxiety
the hands Of the Excise Commissioners;
not that had the slightest suspicion OF Murphy,
whom looked upon as an honest man, II only from
tho TACT that he had the reputation OF beng worth
considerable mcana did not resign, because. Know
ing was innocent, determined the Governor should
have the opportunity OF making al Investigation, aud
look upon his decision In the case As being quite as
much vlndication, II not more SO, than censufe Of
MEL
Mr. Morton spoke without any trace Of feeling, and
seemed 10 feel relieved at The prospect OF re-
firing from his Official station.
NO APPoiNTMkAT FOR THE PRESENT IN hoRroN's PLACE
Mayor Ely SAID yesterday that be should send IN No
nomination Tor Excise Commissioner IN place OF Mr.
Morton for several weeks TO come. Hc thinks Two
discharge all The duties OF The bureau Tor the
present when there Is little doing, and that the
politicians might well take II easy the Interim.
The Excise bureau granted a score or SO Of licenses
yesterday but nothing like the rush Of applications
that marked tho weeks OF ins; mouth occurred or Is
anticipated until some new liquor law Is passed