New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-05-05
DISCUSSING EXCISE LAWS.
THE REPORT OF MR. JAYS COMMITTEE.

ApDREssEs BY GENERAL FISK, DR. hooSA AN
orrsns AT A MEETING AT sTEINwAY HALL
AN ALDERMAN INDIGNANT
mass meeting was held last night in SteiDwal
Wall which was the sequel of the meeting held il
che same place on February &C. called by the Churcl
geoperance Society. The purpose OF the meeting
was the consideration OF the report Of the Citizens
Committee appointed at the former meeting. and o
come collateral subjects. such the appointment o
Excise Commissioners, the confirming power of th
Board of Aldermen, and a new Excis
bill. The meeting was not so large q
the first The audience numbered 500 o
600 persons, of whom the great majority
were men. Some Of the statistics that have beer
gathered by the Church Temperance Society wer
circulated in the audience and served to point th
arguments which later were made from the plat
form. One table was headed g Food versus Liquor
and showed that the butchers bakers and grocer
in New-YOrk plumber 1926 while the liquor Her
number 1905. Another paragraph contained a
list OF the members Of the Board OF Aldermen,
which showed that thirteen Of the twenty-four were
either quor-sellers ex-liquor sellers In the re-
naming eleven was one clearinghouse keeper, which
LED the writer of the circular 10 observe: What a
small quantity of bread to an intosrabls quantity
OF sackw
The meeting was called to order at O'Clock by
John JAW chairman of the committee. who called
Wager Swayne to the chair. AT that time. there
were present on the platform besides the men men-
toned. ex-Judge Charles A. Peabody. ex-Judge
William H. Arnoux, Dr. ID. b. ST. John Roosa. DR..
Andrew H. Smith, tie Rev. Dr. s. Ireneus Prime,
the Rev. w. NJ. Atterbury. w. H. Wells. the Rev.
George j. Mingens J. c. Walcott. William Mex
Gatchell Joseph /. Bicknel William A. Duncan,
c. c. Peck Robert Graham. the Rev. j. K. Dayen-
port. and DR.. Strong.
THE REPORT OF Mr. JAY.
Mr.. Swayne TOOK charge Of the proceedings of the
meeting after very brief state ment OF the purpose
for which it had been called He commended the
committee for the faitbfulness with which il had
worked and called Mr.. Jay to read its report.
Mr. Jaw IN his report, mentioned the visits of the
committee to the Senate Committee on Cities at
Albany, Mayor Grace, District-Att0rney Mckeon
aud the Police and Excise Commi ssioners, and of
the letters sent to these mon with their answers all
OF which have been published. In conclusion be
spoke as follows:
The committee In submitting this report Of their &C
ton may perhaps properly remark that Y their arg1
failed to oro1noe as much effect as they desired they
that their interviews with high officials and com
causes the imperfect administration OF the excise
laws have also tended to engage In some degree at
the administration Of these lava and upon
large responsibility for the nnumeraoe evils and the
municipal disgrace which must inevitably result from
tie subsection of the public interests 70 the combined
force o. ;si and PSan Sd es committee
not always accorded 10 those who come to Investigate
have rendered them. your represent ativcs
OF sympathy AID promises OF assistance which
have air aiy fulfilled D part These promises have
been followed by lbon OF vigor in the and
punishment of offenders. including one who has long
whose imprisonment greeted by the public Of
happy augury for the futnrc and has produced whole
some fear on the class TO which he belongs.
Tue thoron-h knowledge possessed s,y our city
officials OF tie excise may naturally Induce desire 70
recognize the rsonaoleness OF the effort 10 abte them
None knows better tban these officials the extent
which The liquor question connected WITH ana gives
to our city politics. None. probably, 10 more con-
presen TED by our city. The marked by It's prc-em
neIce 10 morality education and philanthropy, and in
phases and highest excellence or modern progress
the other marked ~ the excise as nov Ia
and political corruption In the municipal government
by di,feg51a OF tne OF IGe StTeet ana t3e
and peculaon, which swell the taxes, which the
gladly Welcomed whatever good they have met their
inyesugauons; never rejecting 1t because u was |
Burke, when he said that The smaIness Of the Juan
tity IN circulation only heigatens its value"
their conerrn noes, and the TACT wi appear yet more
that the only officials who approved the existing mum
her of licenses demanded by the needs Of the city,
the Excise commissioners, whose opinions sOme
points EXPIRE sed Ia conference aud in their letters,
have seemed u reflect In slight degree the interests
IN that direction is clear on the facts tbat Excise
Commissioner can b. appointed without the cOnhrna-
dealers have secured the control Of that Board by tho
erection OF a majority Of nem9ers who are connected
motive o. their appointment and win tie desires and
evils Of ar sS be en1 by a sy
laws which 90 not secure the appointment
character and independence. who SHOULD no.
be subjected by the manner II their appointment TO
interest or that tLey were Officially bound to project
The entire question viii demand CON
which t been proposeI To complete with the advice
81 tursts and exp rs throughout the stae IN time for
The people 70 underSt md IT'S general principles In
advance oil the autumn2 eleciiOns ana to learn the
repSsen Them e as b %o 10
seems not unworthy Of consideration thai the eGers Of
age, ask conference WITH committee OF tue leading
brewers and distiIlers OF the city, among whom are
With view Of learning how Jar they are ready 10
,o-operate with the popular movement for reioro Of
,fhcials wnO not supposed 70 sympathize
vita tue temperance movement has shown con
Snotov IA PexiSit decent and reuated as
,ty honest tainc and repul alton" In cOnclusio
committee may say that u would seem, especially
rom the av0rng OF the Press during the progress
work. that tie movement is one whIca viewed
y all classes wi,n increasing interest, that fits broad
rinclpcs accepted It's julcous methods approved
nd wGie pat ntly awaiting the results " the pre-
niIDary inquiries essential 70 effective aeuoa, ana wei
iii looking frward to the Time When with an eiiieen
aud icy al.ocers t. enforce IT, all offences connected
nth the excise b. arrested by the simple order In
'Licn all military tacucs arc said 10 be embodied ::
Forward and strike"
MR.. NIXON NOT VERY EXPLICIT.
The reading OF the report frequently inter-
npted with applause. After he had finished 1T MIR.
ay read the following letter. received about an
our before the meeting began from the District
tIorney:
on. JOHN JAY Chairman. (
DEAR nave the honor to acknowledge the re-
,pt of the series OF questions propOuDded to by
BUR cOmiuittee. Your communication covering the
iestions left at office late the aftern
tuesday, the 1st nst and did reach my hands until
morning. then have been diligently Gu
aged attempt to procure from tue records of this
lice the Information which would satisfy the commit .
e. with the result shown by my replies 10 tile Inter
gatoTies. 8
very much regret that the shOrtness OF the time be-
geen the recept OF your communication and the day
xed for your meeng 10 which 1t proposed my reply