The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-03-25
The Temperance Question in New York.

The Temperance Question in New York.
Tho temperance organizations which are
working for the better regulation of the liquor
traffic in New York, may be assured that
the great majority ofthe people OF this city
are In favor Of temperance. 1t is a mistake
to suppose that the rum interest has ON its
side the popular sympathy in any quarter Of
New York.
But the temperance societies, now so active
e. for new legislation concerning the sale OF
liquor make n mistake in supposing that
merely by imposing high licenses thcy will do
very much toward removing all the evils Of
the traffic. 1t Is doubtful II in that way they
would lessen the amount Of spirits consumed
The ends gained. and they are we'll worth
gaining, would be vastly larger revenue to
the city from liquor saloons and the shutting
up OF unlicensed places. fliquor licenses are
fixed at $500 or $1,000, those who pay them
will sec to it that there are no unlicensed
bars in their ncighborhood. They will COM
pei the enforcement of the law in self-protec-
ton. The number of liquor saloons will
therefore be greatly reduced; but the sales
Of liquor will be quito as large, probably. as
now.
Mr.. ROBERT GRAHAM, the Secretary OF the
day evening, that out OF the twenty-four
Aldermen eleven "were or had been direct
liquor sellers, and that not one OF them had
paid more than s75 for his licensc;" and that
the influence OF the society would DO used to
secure such representation In the city Govern
ment that one-half OF the Board OF Aldermen
should not be connected with tho liquor in
terests. That Is a commendable end to work
nd nttIN vnt hat oil Nho 10
OF the city. with the exception OF the rum
dealers and their comparatively small i'm
mediate following, would rejoice IL the effort
should DO successful Thoy do not enjoy
seeing the local party machinery so largely
under the control OF keepers Of gin mills.
They do not believe that because the selling
OF liquor by tho glass is one OF the most
money-making departments Of retail bust
ness, 1t should be the easiest avenue to politi-
cal power, and that the liquor dealer should DO
protected, wheedled. deferred to. and feared
by every branch OF the city Government.
But what better method Of regulating
the sale Of liquor than that OF high
licenses has been suggested? That plan has
the manifest advantage Of greatly increas-
Ing the city revenues. by which the peo-
pie would be large gamers In the reduc-
tion OF taxes; and high license is much
more likely to DO collected than small one,
for, as we have said. 1t would be for the In
terest OF the licensed dealers to shut up the
unlicensed places. By compelling its en-
fOrcement they would protect themselves.
Great care, however, should be taken to
avoid killing tho lager beer saloons. High
licenses should be applicable to the sale OF dis
titled liquors only. On the east side OF
the city, in the nelghborhoods where the
Germans are most numerous, there arc
great numbers Of large and small beer
shops. They arc uniformly very quiet
places, and are the social centres OF
the region. They certainly are not hotbeds
OF crime, for the station house situated
In tho eastern region We're they are per-
haps most frequent Is noted for sending in
reports ut night of no arrests or an excep-
tionally small number OF them. Tho neigh
borhood Is remarkably crowded, even for
New York. 1t ia clear that the lager beer
saloons should be charged only tho most
moderate rates OF license
This liquor question, indeed, is very COM
plicated one In New York. and only those who
thoroughly understand tho city In oil its
parts and oil Its constituents are fitted to
deal with 1t practically and wisely. There Ia
unquestionably q very widespread demand
for such opportunities for social intercourse
~ the drinking saloon affords. No rcformer
can afford to forget that. Tho drinking ~.