The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-31
IN REPLY TO DIR. CROSBY.
Mr.. Leeser's Observations on the Excise Law
and Cognnte Topics.

and CognRte Topics.
To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN SIR: I. The
present Excise law has not been repealed for
reasons which are too obvious TO need repeat
ing. Those persons who have aided in hinder
ing true reforms in this important matter are
not to be congratulated upon their unsavory
associations. No effort has been made during
the past session by the Wine and Spirit Trade
to repeal the law. They did not even take the
trouble TO go to Albany to reply to the empty
rhetoric OF the temperance fanatics. so that
the latter had tho pleasure Of fighting their
windmills with none to gainsay them.
2. The Rev Howard Crosby. ID. d.. who had
given the subject some attention. informed the
public in 1877 that the law Of 1857 was never
understood till the spring OF 1875. When It re-
lulres nineteen years TO properly interpret a
law. muddle' seems n mild word for IT, The
question of what constitutes hotel " seems TO
be- still open.
3. The object Of the law is to license places
vent the sne It would be n prohibitory law.
4. The Excise Commissioners have carried
out its provisions in accordance with their hon
est convictions as TO what IL means and what is
for the best interest Of the community. The
| Police Comm issioners have administered the
| law when their better Judgment has been al
| lowed to work. in accordance with the dictates
Of common sense and they will probably con-
| tinue so to do. The courts also will probably
| continue TO act in the same way.
8. The question OF the correctness OF the
/
mains to be decided ludicially. II fifty Of the
present licensed dealers We're imprisoned and
| their property conflscatcd for the crime OF
obeying the law ne II IS cNpoundcd 10 them 10y the
constituted authorities, sixty unlicensed deal
| ers OF u far worse class would take their place
| Immediately There are many places in this
| city now. all known 10 the police. whore liquor 10
| sold without license.
| 6. The new Excise Commiss toner's will proba-
| bly, follow In the footsteps OF their illustrious
| predecessors and the failure to enforce the law
| will doubtless continue until II is repealed.
| Z. The Vino and Spirit Traders Society has
| for its object tho promotion OF sensible and
| temperate habits OF drinking among the Amer
| lean people. and the aiding OF the Government
to put into the Treasury the $4,000 900 paid
managers receive any compensation for their
| labors Its funds are mainly used directly in
| the detection and prosecution OF law breakers.
| 3. The importance Of this excise question can
| hardly be exaggerated. The peace. good order
| and morality OF our city are very dear to all OF
serious attempt were made TO enforce the law
| according to the dctation OF n handful of per
sons least fitted to Judge OF the needs Of our pop
| ulation.
9. The real facts OF the case are that the Ex-
| else Comm issoners have interfered and en-
| forced tho law in the only way IN which it can
be enforced and, II they ARE punished for doing
| their duty honestly according 10 their best abil-
ity the world will still move Just 1t continued
| to do after another society had punished Gali-
| leo for making the assertion that il did so.
| 10. Public opinion Is right and strong. As II
has been expressed. II stands something like
100 To against the Society for the Prevention
| OF Crime, New Workers are practical folk. and
| little likely TO permit their peace 10 30 in peri
because OF the wild theories Of few close
CHARLES NICK. LEosER.
"a EAST THIRTY STREET.