New-York tribune., 1885-09-17
+ yFw EXCISE MEASURE.

The Prohbitonists of Ncw-lork have been
holding convention at which Governor and
other state officers were nominated. IL " also
their intention to present candidates for the
Senate and Ass -mbly in all the districts. The
political activity of these people is directed to a
single end. They are in politics solely for the
promotion of the cause Of temperance. But
that they are defeating their own aim, that inS
stead of advancing they az positively retardl"g
Tie reform they have at heart, is sincerely be-
leyed by clcar-hcadcd men. Our Prohibition
friends rcsoutcly decline to adapt means To
ends. Forgetting that in reform, as in asricuit-
arc the law is first the blade then thf car, aitcr
that tho full corn in the ear, they demand the
full corn in the car before the blade is well
grown. Whatever real progress the temperance
cause has made in this State has come through
tie Republican party. The Democracy, on the
other hand, has been the sure and constant
reliance Of the rum power. Ignoring these
salient facts, the Prohibitionists with fatil
aruor are engaged this fall as they were last in
efforts which mean in result. whatever they may
mean in conception, hindrance to Republicans
and temperance and help TO Democrats and the
liquor dealers.
In marked and refreshing contrast with
the maadroit work of the Prohibtionists
are the cxertlons OF the sensible friends of
temperance who have drafted uniform excise
law for this state. The bill in question. which
has just been sent ont in pamphlet form by
Howard Crosby and Robert Graham, represent
ing The Church Temperance Society, is founded
upon the law Of 1857. This law was passed by
Il Republican Legislature and the Democrats
l.. .t..l 70 40, Inn
have been prevented from doing so by Republi
can votes. The society found, however, that
the measure had become so Overlaid by amend
Inents that il was difficult to state its precise
significance. The main features of the new
bill, which is to bb introduced! in the next
Legislature, are eight in number As outlined
by Messrs Crosby and Graham these arc:
l. A broad distinction between distilled ana fer
nented liquors. the lcense fee Tor the former being
81 900. for the latter. 800.
q Disaualifying convcts from holding lIccnses.
g. The disqualification Of PREMISES Tor year, on
conviction revocation OF liconsc.
4 Tho publication Of name and address OF applicant
least one week before a license Is granted.
s. Prohibiting sale OF lqucr to minors, under penalty
OF revocation hf License
6. Prohibiting sale Of liquor on board excursion boats
and In tenement houses.
T. Requiring licensees to keep the interior OF their
premises open to view.
8. Care has been taken that provision Of this bill
shall iniritRe upon affect tho Civil Damage act" or
the Local option law.
1t will be pretty generally admitted that
these are wise and wholesome provisions. In
commenting upon them the society says "We
shave sought TO deal with this question as
apractical men, not as doctrinaircs we believe
aabsolute prohibition an impossibllity i'll great
settles and that the only effective means by
@which reduction os saloons in cities can be
SELECTED is by the method of high license"
The PrOhibitionists, proceeding on the theory
that no bread is better than half or two thirds
of loaf. decline to support the high-license
policy. But it is evident that it is a policy
which is rapidly growing in favor with the