New-York tribune., 1879-05-27
THE EXCISE LAW.

CARD FROM THE REV DR.. HOWARD Crosby
HOW THE PROVISIONS OF GOOD LAW ARE
AvOIpRD-TRE REMEDY.
To Me Edftor or The Trtbuns.
SIR: Erst-The present Excise law has been in
sisted upon bythree Legislatures since It's inter
pretation by the Court of Appeals. This emphasis
by the Legislature IS the stronger, III rs much as
every effort by the enemies Of the law has been
made TO abroRate it.
Second The law has been called middle by
those who dsliked it, but it is perfectly clear. 1t
allows only hotels TO sell liquors lother than ale and
beer to be drunkon the premises
Thyd-Its object is to prevent public tippling
places where rioting and crime have their fertile
source. The hotel-keeper having other and higher
interests than the selling of liquor, will conserve
those by keeping his bar orderly.
FoWth-The obstacles to the enforcement of the
law these ~. The giving Of hotel licenses to
those who do not keep hotels. For tins the Excise
Commissioners are responsible. o. The failure Of
the police TO arrest open offenders the plea that
police testimony is not Of any weight in the courts
3.) The small punishment SAY S25 finel to which
the convicted offender rs sentenced by the courts
Egih-Lhe first obstacle can be overcome only by
the punishment and removal Of the law-breaking
Commissioners. They are now under prosecution
The second can be overcome by the courts using as
much common sense in excise matters they do in
tbefts and burglaries, and not requiring actual
tasting Of the liquor by witness. man with his
sign Whistles over his door selling something
which the customer calls whskey in his demand.
should be counted by courts selling whskey,
without cOmuelling a witness TO taste the liquor
himself (which tasting a policeman very properly
cannot dol. The third can be overcome by our
judges Tesolutey sending every offender 10 prison,
as they have the option To do by the law. II iItty
of these law breakers sent 10 prison the rest
would speedily close their doors and find a more
honest eInDloyment.
Sirtb-We now look TO now Excise Commissioners
and the courts to see this law enforced Any fall
ure to enforce the law is official culDability.
SeUcpH-Ihe Society for the Prevention OF Crime
has as rs object the promotion of the enforcement
OF the laws that affect morals, especially this Ex
else law, touching the principal root Of crime IN
this city. None of its managers receive any COM
peusation for their labor5. It's funds ara mainly
used directly in the detection and prosecution OF
law-breakers.
Ejghh-The importance Of this work Of law-en-
forcing appeals 10 every citizen Of every religious
and political creed. The peace, good ORDER and
morality Of the city objects Important enough
10 make us forget all Our differences ~ other re-
spectS. and unite in the maintenance OF our cltys
highest welfare.
Mnh-The main facts winch citizens should now
note are that the thousands of places which have
the word hotel" over the door are not hotels, chat
our Excise Commissioners only guilty OF this de-
hance OF law and insult upon their citZens.
and that with these Excise Commissioners the So
cety Tor the Prevention of Crime Is now dealing.
Let all hew-IOrkers watch the progress or the
prosecution and take note OF any SHIFTS or delays
that may BE- offered.
IeRfh-Publc opinion is right and strong. II only
needs TO De expressed. New-Iorkers DO not believe
IN q liberty that breaks law, but they look 10 the
Howard CROSBY.
No l16 East Niacieeata-sL, Aeu-TOrk, May 20,
1879.