The sun., 1879-05-27
THE RET. DR. CRoSBr's TIEW.
The Excise Law OF the City of New York
aud the Liquor Tranc.

l. The present Excise law has been insisted
upon by three Legislatures since its interpreta-
tion by the Court of Appeals. This emphasis
by the Legislature is the stronger inasmuch as
every effort OF the enemies OF the law has been
made 10 abrogato II.
2. The law has been called "muddie" by
those who disliked it, but it is perfectly clear.
II allows only hotels to sell llduor iother than
ale and becrl 10 be drunk on the promises.
.. Its ObIect is to prevent public tipping places
where rioting and crime have their lortile
higher interests than the selling Of liquor. will
Conserve those by keeping his bar orderly.
T. The obstacles 10 the enforcement OF tho law
a. The giving Of hotel licenses to those who
do not keep hotels. For this tho Excise Com
N ssioners are esponsibo.
t2.l The failure OF the police to arrest omen
offenders. on the plea that police testimony Is
not Of any weight in tho courts,
49, The small punishment tsay f25 nnel to
which tho convicted offender is sentenced by
the courts,
3. The first obstacle can be overcome only
by the punishment and removal OF the l.w
breaklng Commissioners. They are now under
prosecution.
The second cnn be overcome by tho courts
using as much common sense in excise matters
as they do in thelts and burglarirs, and not re-
Quiring an actual tasting OF tho liquor by wit
ness; mHn. with his sign WHISTLES over
ms door, selling something which the customer
calls whiskey in his demand should be- convicted
hy courts ns selling whiskey. without compel
ling n witness TO taste the liquor himself (which
tast lng u policeman worry properly cannot dol.
Tho third can be overcome by our Judges res
olutcly sending every offender to prison. ns
they have the option To do by the law. II atty
OF these lnw-breHkers were sent to pr son. the
rest would speedily close their doors and nnd a
more honest employment
@. We now LOOK TO new Excise Commission
erS ana the courts 10 see this law cnfOrcad.
Any failure 10 enforce the law is ofllcial culpa-
bity.
7. The Society for tho Prevention Of Crime
has rs It's object the promotion OF the enforce
ment OF the laws that AFFECT morals especially
this Excise LAW ns touching the principal root
OF crime IN this city. Nome of its managers re-
cetve any compensation for their lahors. Its
funds nre mainly used directly in the detection
and prosecution OF law breakers
4. The importance Of this work OF law en-
forcing appeals 10 every citizen Of every reli-
gious and political creed. The peace good or
der. and morality Of the city are objects inn
portAnt enough TO make us forget all our dif-
ferences IN other Respects. and unto in the
mRinicnhnce oi our city's highest welfare.
y. The main iacts which ctlZens should now
have the word hotel" over the door are NOT
hotels, that our Excise Commissioners only are
guilty ol this defiance OF law and insult uuon
their fellow citizens and that with those Excise
commissioners ths Society for tho Prevention
ot Crime is now dealing. Let all New Workers
watch the progress Of tho prosecution, and take
note Of any shifts or delays that may be- offered
10. Public oVihion is risht and strong. IL
only needs 10 be expressed. New Workers do
not believe In u liberty that brcnks law but they
look TO the officers OF law 10 enforc" law.
,,, ,- HOWARD CROSBY.
il6 East Nineteenth street May 2j