New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-09-20
NINE THOUSAND RUM SHOPS.
LICENSES Issu b INDIscRIMINATELy

LICENSES ISSl - lNDiothiMiNhibb>
A TALK WIN DR. CkosBY-PLAIN WORDS AD"oi
THE EXCISE DEPARTMENT.
.What are the present difficulties in the way of
enforcing the Excise law in New-York r asked
TRIBUNE reporter of the Rev. DR.. Howard Crosby
President Of the Society for the Prevention Oh
Crime
The Excise law cannot be enforced IN this city,
repied Dr. Crosby. "while the Excise Commission
els break il by licensing as hotels every common
bar-room Unless the COMMISSIONS 3 can be stopped
from breaking the law free Is the order Of the
day In New-York. They are the only root OF the
evil. The Commissioners stand in the way oil en-
forcing the law which the people have insisted
upon and which four legislatures in succession have
refused to alter Right in the teeth OF TINS express
sion of The popular will two men assert their right
to do as they pease-Ricbard j. Morrison and Philip
Merke. The other Excise Commissioner, George
W. Morton has persstently refused to sign the cor
rupt licenses
why do you call them corrupt licenses r.
because they are law-breakIng"
ION what ground do you attempt to explain the
action Of the Excise COMMISSIONER
THE only motives that can possibly be attributed
to them are low or base. They either desire free
rum and its consequences throughout our city, or
they expect some person al benefit by of their
the Excise Commissioners for doing this Same thing
were convicted and thrust ont of office, and new
Board appointed, who faithfully observed the law
in IFS letter and IN its spirit In this city, on the
contrary a Jury acquitted the Excise Commission
ers when the evidence was overwhelming that they
had licensed as a hotel notorious resort of thieves
and prostitutes, against licensing which the police
captain of the precinct had protested ms place
had not single convenience OF hotel"
"Do the police perform their duty in carrying
out the provisions of the Excise lawp
There isn't bit of trouble with the police as
regards enforcing the law. l consider them ready
to enforce it whenever the way is opened for them
to do SOL mean by that, whenever the evidence Of
policemen will be taken in the courts. policeman
who arrests man now because he him break
ing tho Excise law is rcprimanded by the police
justice and the prisoner is released with apology.
There is a general idea in police courts that police
testimony don't amount to anything, as policeman
can only speak from what he infers from the out
side of u saloon; he is not permitted to enter it,"
what opposition has the society met in the
prosecution of its work y
"The first opposition came from ex-Mayor Ely
When tine police uad shut up tight all the rum
holes for n few days in December 1877. Mr.. Ely
came out and preferred charges against them. That
encouraged the rumsellers and they reOpened their
shops. The police were then with us heartily, and
they want us to succeed, for it would relieve
them of many burdens The next difficulty was the
tamperng with legislation. thereby making people
doubtful whether the law would be continued. An
attempt was strenuousy made to change the law,
but it was reasserted four times. The third OBJ
stacIe and the great one has been the move of the
Excise Commissioners. by which they assert their
authority TO make a hotel Of every bar In the city
81 hot 1,-ftl,
regard 10 the character of the man who keeps it,
Twill you suggest any remedy for this state of
afiairsp
Excise Commissioners who openly DEFY the law.
Philip McTKle IS weak man, and don't amount 10
much He is nothing but tho taIl OF the dog, and
Richard j. Morrison Is the dog that wags IT, have
no hesitation. therefore In putting the whole blame
of the wretchcd coniiou OF the city IL the matter
of rum-shops on the head of one man, namely !
Morrison. 1t is well 10 know where the blame prop
erly belongs, thai the people act accordingly
The decision OF justice kiibrctn against the Excise
Commissioners, and the testimony taken on Their |
trial last year, should DO read by all our citizens.
After such IA reading they certainly would |
not be willing that those men should oc- |
cupy any place OF authority III the COM |
mlnIty again. | had hoped tat Mayor Cooper |
at The beginning OF hts administration would have !
removed the Excise Commissioners, and | put go !
afidavits In his hands, on any one OF which he |
could have dismissed them. But he has utterly |
failed do anything in the premises Ib"re are over
5000 rum-shOps III this city sellng llqu"r Illegally,
and yuU so protected are they by their licenses tnat
untii Won strike down the Excise Commissioners |
Won cannot strike them. The society has hundreds
of cases III the courts pending trial in regard 10
breaking the Sunday law, selling liquor TO minors,
etc"
Have the efforts of the society been rendered |
abortye by the pardOnng out of offenders convicted
of breaking the Excise law I"
"Ex Governor Robinson pardOned ont four such |
men, and IN one before the prisoner got to jail
u ,,ordon met him. Governor Cornell however, mas
NOT mIerfertd. There was James Lynch. of the
Fifteenth Ward, for instance, who fined S23
lar refusing to Get license, and the second time he
was arrested Judge Gildersleeye sent him To the
Pcn,tentiary As he had some political influence,
II Robinson had been Governor Lynch wouldn't |
nave gone to the P,nItentlary, but Governor Cor
neil don't act that way"
What practical benefit has the Society for the
Prevention OF Crime effected ~ excise matters /"
1t has informed the public mind. brought out
pubic opinion and increased the determination oi
The people tow anl "a moral status In the community.
ii has received the commentator Ot our highest
and best officers, judicial and executive III the city,
while only the low and vicious public officers have
ever opposed us in any way. The D!sttct-Attorney |
ha, always assisted us III our wOrA very heartily |
and very thoroughly. and l think public opinion |
will before long break down the Excise Commits |
siuucrs AID | hope to see them IN prison. Pubic |
opinion IN regard to them growing stronger every
day and will soon assert Itself. The Excise Com |
uIssIoners feel secure account of their acquttal
i'm December last, but their turn Will yet come"