New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-03-09
ASKING THE MAYORS ASSISTANCE.

WHAT MR. EDSON SAYS ABOUT NOMlNAIlNO EA-
CIsE COMMISSIONERS.
committee appointed al the recent meeting of
the Church Temperance Society held in Steinway
Hall called upon Mayor Edison yesterday to secure
his assistance in reducing the number OF liquor
shops in the city. John Jay, chairman of the
committee, was present. and also the following
memi ers: C.. A. Peabody, the Rev. DR.. Crosby, the
Rev. Dr. b. +. De Costa. the Rev. DIR. 5. !. Prime,
r. Fulton Cutting, T. b. Coddington. Henry f..
Pellew General Swayne, Robert Graham, the Rev.
Dr. ii. G.. Potter and ex-Judge Arnoux. The
terms of Excise Commissioners Mitchell, Hart and
Friedsam expire May l. and one OF the objects OF
the committee was to urge upon the Mayor the
necessity Of dominating as their successors OF
undisputed Integrity and high moral character.
/ he commit tee has prepared bill which will be in
troduced IN the Legislature TO limit the number of
retail liquor-shops. The assistance of Mayor Ed
son in getting this bill through the Legislature
sought.
Mr. Jay said that the committeeman did not
come as the advocates of total abstinence. Their
purpose was to reform the excise system and limit
the number of liquor-shOps in the city. which at
present far exceeded what might be called the
legitimate demand. 1t was the power of the
Board Of Excise TO giant license to sell liquor
to every stOrekeeper in the city That ought not to
be permitted. Within sixty days the Mayor would
be called upon to appoint new Board of EAcise,
and the committee requested That only such men
would be nominated AZ we're known 10 be OF high
moral character and integrity.
Dr. Crosby reclted few of the many grievances
which The people of this city have against the Ex-
else Board and the rum-Sh0ps. The attempt to
lring about total abstinence, he SAID had failed,
and an effort TO be made 70 lessen the evils
of the traffic by reducing the number OF qur shops
in the city. lhis evil had assumed Alarming pro-
portions, and il was in the power oil the Mayor to
do something tOwarl lesseniug this growing owl
1t was fOr this purpose that the committee called
upon the Mayor
Mr.. Graham said that the enormous proportions
to which the liquor traffic nad grown IN this city
were well known Toe records OF the Board Of Ex-
showed that there are J075 licensed liquor
shops IN TINS city, while II was admitted that there
are 1000 unlicensed shops open. There are 1875
stores IN which food is solg-2 749 less than the
number OF liquor shops. If the number Of rum
holes continued to increase III such wholesale man
ner 1t would result IL untold hardship, depravity
and crime.
MT. PelIew aud Mr. Cutting appeared rs property
owners. They stated att had 10 offered large
suns IN rents iOr properly winch tney owned IN dii
teTeDt parts OF the city which wanted Tor liquor
shops but they had refused rent t or such pur-
poses. Property owners suffered largely IRON in
creased taxation, due TO the main enahce Of prisons
and asylnins when made necessary by the in
crease ia the use of intoxicating liquors.
Mayor Edison IN replying 10 the committee stated
that ne had given the matter good deal of consid-
GRAFTON and would do all III his power 10 abate tho
evil. Long before assumed the duties of Mayor,