New-York tribune., 1878-02-20
TIE EXCISE BILL.

Albany. Feb. 19-When bills affecting
New-York City being debated and an rreconclaoe
difference of opinion s revealed among the representa-
tyes OF that city, regarding the nature OF Its s ana the
true remedies for them the country members delight TO
say 10 the Now Workers: ." II you would only unite on
something to be done for your CITY, would gladly vote
for the bill" This taunt has not been expressed
during the debates over Mr.. Days Excise Bill which
applies only to NewYork city. Apparently The twenty
one members from Eew-York, in the Assembly, are
unanimous in their support Of that BILL Every member
from the city that has thus far spoken upon it has
spoken in its favor. Dir. Astor made his maiden
speech for its passage to-day. Naturally he has been
regarded with curiosity ny other members ana
with Mr.. wadsw0rth. OF Livingston County, mas Deeh
considered as perhaps leader of attempt on the part
of the cultured people of wealth in the state 10 OBTAIN
better representation in the Legislature win Mr.
Wadsworth however, he has hitherto been one of the
silent members of the Assembly, and also attentive
10 its duties Hamilton Fish, jT. the other Representa-
tive of the old families of the State has beooe such
dexterous swimmer IN the legislative pool as to be no
longer regarded amateur Mr. AstOr had the goou
fortune to follow in debate Mr. John l. Gilbert
of Franklin County very attractive So eaher Mr. Gil
bert had held the close attention Of the Assembly III
speech Of over half hour i'll which he put forward 'e
views Of extreme temperance men, and mad eloqueh'H
appealed to his fellow members not to pass the New
York bill Mr. Astor Immediately followed with FRANK
avowa of his intention to vote for the bill, OF his hoS
tity m the present severe Excise law account or thc
injustice aud corruption 1t caused in New-iorR' anu III
conclusion avowed that no desDOtic government OF
Europe would dare to pass such law as TIE present
Excise Law.
His manner Of speaking easy, and apparently nc
was not Mt all disturbed in mind by his novel position
Oeeupyiug scat in the Assembly Chamber close by the
speakels desk he instantly perceived upon rising 10
begin his speech and instantly every members eye was
tpon hi,u Moses quickly huShed, ana n shchcc
only broken by Mr. AstOrs voice followed BE spoke
h. in a
vet seemingly without raising his voice much above It's
natural tone. His voice clear, and Its tones were
agreeably modulated. He made gestures. and stood
leaning against the desk behind his own with his ehar In
front OF him.
Mr. Giibert-The Court of Appeals has made an uuan-
imous decision respecting the powers OF the Boards Of
Excise to grant licenses The law is perfectly clear now
We are tod that the not enforced and that we are
living under Spartan and Purt9nca rule TIC fact that
DC enforced Secondly Ee very ise' 4at @ 'e rus9
o. SrOnr .i law We ought to Uphold those Who try to up
hold be law Who are the witnesses regarding the law
Is npt General Rathbone, Of this city. competent Wit
nessl liz says mat tie law can be enforced. In PROOF
League he called the attention of the Mayor aud Com
mon Councl to the non-eDforcement of the law. The
enforced That is the result of the vigorous action OF
one man II the law can he enforced IN ely A OF OF
100000. The nun traffic is Waste of men, OF honor
nj
bic. If we could Introduce temperance among the
people we should nave Ron no Ieea eeafaginsnt ~ In an
economical as well as moral point OF View we ought
to have temperance Does not ia| resaiD otler crimes
aud would moi severe excise law check lntemperance
They talk about moral suaslon undertake 10 say
that no man this floor can lend his aid to relaxing TIE
laws against inemperance whose own character VIII not
eventually be cedhe worse fOi the ac<On ILefe -
moral law behind the legal to which We should pay
eternal destiny may depend upon Cllr acuOns mere
dred years ago when public opinion more
lax t6an now, inukeepers only Were permitted
10 sell lqnor to oc drank OF tue premises art assS
TO adopt more tolerant policy MISUNDERSTANDING the
conscience and will OF the people nave neen "f2asGu 70
prevent The free sale OF intoxicating liquors. ihte Is
actual limit IN the proposed law as ~ the persons
supply OF liquor has great dcal to do with the
Gs"Ihe IN tbe avenues venue in New-York tempt young
men to drink There are three classes OF drinkers one
mined TO drink but which, when tempted gives way
to temptation aud third class that has reYGr been
eas the third class IL the part OF wisdom to
hold what safeguards have, ana work for better Ia
ture The safety OF the people is the supreme law. We
should multiply the safeguards against lntehpcranct
and not tear them down l believe that there is sui,
fcent number OF representatives OF the morality aud
culture OF the state here 70 defeat this BILL
Mr. Astor said The district in the City Of Eew-York
which have the represent is so much affected
by the wrongs and abuses and the operations of the
listing Excise law and it deeply interested in any
measure that tends TO amendment Of that law,
that think it my duty to say something upon the
to say-and want II distinctly understood that do no,
do mean 10 say that we desire to such amend
OF the present law as shall do away with all mean
ingess and obsolete language, aud that while preserving
iudcous stIngency. desire TO have an Excise law
that be administered justly and properly. That
OF 1857 found TO operate favorably throughout
the state3I mean thronghoIt the country d'trieSs va
City Of NewYork VIC are considering at present is an
aDsurdty, and I rs made means OF Opesslon IDeleNe
New.York toward what il known as the Maine
LIQUOR Law" and which has always been regarded by
auce and fsnatcism combined The CITY OF New-York
requires that any excise law should begin by regarding
cumstauces whatever justify the persecution OF those
wh1 engage & IN it. r ter rnat cones y eg q%Gco
and reasonable limitations sOas TO guard against abuse
and that to to be the main question that IS
now before us certainly consider that the bill which
is now before this committee is susceptible OF very
s65 sn'Tc inserted n 1 s hseFe draft Of f"' %SG
/ was sorry to see stricken out. 1t was
an amendment that tended 10 that substit
zion of light native wines, such thOse when re-
ceive from California in place of liquor wish that the
bill had gone one step further IN thai direction ana aad
exempted lager beer from its provisions II IS misfor
aay or Is us we p2oduSs NO g nes
in this section OF The United States Lager
that use OF it, if II resulted N limitation in the
Of whiskey, as am sure IT wouid would pe aAy greet
great question. this great problem OF the excise whieh
we have before Us, sil not DC disposed OF 10y
islation always defeats itself. hope, aud !
earnestly beg, on behalf of tho constituency which
represent, that tbe e1lslig Ekcise Ia" may pc oueu
for the City OF New-York The law 1t stands IS law
that would be tolerated III any country III Europe
and is Law that coul not DO enforced III country
in Europe. po matter how despotic its government
might be.
MI Grady-The people OF New-York City ask for nod-
caon OF the Excise law and the Governor OF the State
has called the attention OF the Legislature to it, The
Court Of Appeals caI has decided that the meaning
of the present Jaw is NOT clear. There many good
features in this bill The bill does not mean free rum
GIVE bad and lhcn Kill IT, say It's opponents
claim that IL bill offered with wise purpose ana
in the interest law and order. The erect or the
attempt the law has been to bring all law INTO
80. ,I,oIar anlnr nrn