New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-12-22
THE EXCISE BOARD AND THE POLICE.

Mr. Hartman. the Chief Clerk of the Board of Ex-
clso' informed reporter OF HE Tribune day y.
Two ago that about 40 complaints of VIOLATIONS OF
the Sunday liquor law had been sent to the Board
by the police within year. In the same period
ABOUT lorty licenses had been revoked. Many CON.
plants had been dismissed because they were not
made right For instance, dealer would 10
CHARGED with selling liquor on Sunday, ana Wnen
Inc case came to trial The policeman could only say
the place was opon on that day. The Comull ssion-
ers did not think It vas just to summon dealer
10 answer one complaint and f6en revoke MS ilcchse
on different complaint. policeman Wouid oiten
teatiiV That he made an Improper complaint py
ordcF or captain or sergeant. In other cases the
testimony was ~ conflicting thai tho Commission
ers were unable TO decide whether the law had been
violated by tho dealer. Occasionally dealer
wonlu OBTAIN stay OF proceedings until his lcenso
Lad expired.
Commissioner Mitchell said that if the Excise
Boarh followed the plan suggested by Police Com
missioner Matthews-to rcfrse licenses to all deal
ers who mad de duors back dUors to their liquor,
stores,-there would not be single place licensed
III the CITY. Even the large hotels would have 10
so without licenses for they all had several doors 10
tue bar-rooms. 1t was not fair, lac Thought, 10
withhold from q poor dealer wha6 was granted
freely to Itch ono. Heretofore. Mr.. Mitchell said
the Excise Board mad not considered II Violation
OF the law for dealer 10 sell soda water or 0tner
beverages. not intoxicating on Sunday Under
the new Penal Code. however, the action OF the
Board probably would be Giterent The counsel
Ui the Board Is preparing an opin0 Oh lho subject.
Commissioner Hart said that the Board desired To
act Justly ahd fairly. Policemen who appeared as
witnesses before the Board we've examined cureiully
because 1t was not desired that any unjust decision
SHOULD be rem, Tered. Policemen sometimes nsne
charges against the proprietois of liquor stores
because these prOpretOrs did not give Liquors and
cigars to til I'm Tree of charge. MT. Hart also said
thai there were many lquOrstUres IN tue city
which had been without licenses Tor long time.
Although the police hal been infOrme about these
places, liquors were being sold freely in them on
Sundays AMI weekdays. He showed TO the re-
porter list OF about one hundred liquor-st"res
which have been kept open without licenses LOT
months. copies OF this list have been S. mt to tho
police frequently. Among the places IN the list are
several low coIfeert saloons 10 the Bowery. nclId-
ing The one run by Owney Geoghegau, NJ NO.
1O5 Bowery. Ge0gnegan was refused a hcense two
wears ago and yet no police navenot been able to
keep him from violating the law openly: Another
place is McGlory hail IN lieserst. which has not
been licensed by the present Board OF EAcisr. At
No. 107 Chathan-st.. and ut No. 2O7 West thirty
fyurth-st are other liquor dens which have been
run for many mouths III violation OF the law
Superintendent WallIng said That the proprlotors
OF the places referred to by Mr. Hart had been ar,
rested many times and held to bail, but they had
not been tried aud he police grew tired OF making
arrests to purpose. II the DIstrlct-AttorneV
would bring Geoghegan and 0her offenders ia
trial, he SAID, there would soon be no unlicensed
huuor-stOreS i'll the city.