The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-29
THE LIQUOR BUSINESS.
Review OF the Action mud Allegations Of tho
Kev. DIR. Crosby.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir: The
card OF the Rev. DR.. Crosby in THE sun on the
Excise law OF the city OF New York deserves
passing notice. 1t was my fortune to be pres
ent at the meeting Of the Legislative Commit
tee on Internal Affairs at Albany to listen to
arguments from various parties in relation to
tho matter OF excise. There was large at
tendance from different parts OF the State,
which showed the interest felt in this matter.
and the duty lshirked by the Lcgislature) Of
meeting and satisfying the public demand for
IN excise law clear and we'll defined in its pro-
visions and sanctioned by public sentiment.
There was n strong delegation OF ladies pres
ent. representing n society known ms the
woman's Christian Association, and three or
four Of them made capital speeches on tho
moral inspect Of the liquor trafic. but ignoring
its legal features altogether.
An antaeonism among the opponents Of the
liquor traffic was developed very early in the
discussion. which showed want OF concert
among themselves and their inability 20 ngroe
upon any well-diCested plan for regulating a
traffic OF the magnitude and importance Of tho
traffic in liquors In the city and state OF New
The Rev. DR.. Crosby led in the discussion.
and his address was confined mainly to two
ideas: First that uniform law should prevail
throughout the State; and second that tho
present law should not be interferod with,
which confines the sale Of liquors at retail
strictly to hotels, having NJ least three beds. and
having facilities for furnishing warm meals to
guests.
He was questioned very closely by Messrs.
1nngbien, StrahHn. and Holnhan. who showed
that legally. as defined by the courts, IA hotel
was required 10 furnish quarters and food for
horses Ms we'll as men and that in that view.
strictly and legally speaking there were few or
no hotels now in tho city OF New York. although
thousands exist and arc licensed under TINT
name. and are 30 recognized by Crosby and his
society
MIR. Oliver Cotter followed with n speech nd
vocating the retention OF the present law for the
rural districts. but stating IN reply to n uues-
ton by Mr.. Langbien, thatt would require tho
entire force Of the War Department 70 ENFORCE
It in New York and Brooklyn" while Crosby
had insisted that the law was easy OF eXecu-
ton by the ordinary machinery Of law and
police" Both these men soon saw the untOr-
tunate antagonism developed between their
Speeches were af;erward made before the Com
mttee by Messrs Strahnn LanRbein, HOahan,
TallmAdge. and Ogden showing desire TO meet
which should properly regulate the enormous
traffic in liquors and bring IL under legislative
control. IL was distinctly asserted by all these
members. and in emphatic terms by Mr.. Ogden.
that the three. bed hotel system now required in
New York and Brooklyn. instead OF restricting
the traffic In liquor. added to II still more fear
ful vice. and the logic OF this was TINT the Soci-
ETY. for the Prevention OF Crime, instead OF pre-
venting crime. was adding TO II worse forms OF
vice, and was actually doing much to debauch
public morals.
The Rev. Dir. Crosby alleged in his address
TINT his society had during the past Year closed
l.739 whiskcy saloons in New YORK city stating
the number with great exactness. His state
ment vas fatly challenged by Mr.. Lanebein.
who asked him to name n single one, which un-
fortunately he could not do. Is,