New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-11-25
EXCUSES or THE EXCISE BOARD.
THE GOVERNOR LISTENING TO CHARGES.

WHAT THE COMMISSIONERS SAY IN REPLY-AN-
OTHER HEARING TO TAKE PLACE.
trnosi TIE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT or THE TRtRUSE !
ALBANY. Nov. 24.-Three doleful-lo looking
got of train here from New York at q" ""T
and Walked slowly the steep covered hi 10 inc
granite Capitol There they introduced themselves 10
Governor Hin as william 7. Mitchell john Dc motifs
and Nicholas Haughton. Excise Commissioners OF New
York They said that they had come to ALBANY to reply
TO the charges made against them by Mayor or'ce'
They wore accompanied by Elliot Sanford, consci Oh
the Excise Board by r. 8. Newcombe. counsel Tor DR.
Mitchell and bv Robert T. Deyo counsel for Mr. Motifs
Francis NJ Scott Assistant Corporation Counsel OF Nc"
York. appeared Mayor Graeo's representative MI
Newcombo claimed the charges TO Governor Ill., WHO
or parntly did not know their character ITO saiu tna
they consisted of three divisions OF charges Tue hrst
was against Commissioner Mitchell aone reclling the
facts Of his having written to Police captain fyhu re
questing him give the protection OF the poee 10 IN
unlicensed aaor dealer The second WAS against COM
nIssoners Mitchell aud IIaughton. accusing theh Oh
Issuing licenses TO dsrepn,able places The tDlrd
charecd that Commissioners Morris HauShtoh anu
Mitchell had issued licenses for the sale OF liquor In
auart:ents attached to theatres Mr. NewcoinDe Staten
that Mr. Mitchell rery would say that his letters to
Captain Ryan were written private citizen ana not
as an Excise Commissioner secondly that the act COM
planned OF be committed under HIS former term rs an Elk
else Commissioner and under his present. ana thr
that he die not intend to protect Improperly an uh
licensed liquor seller
"What pro lection coud no give him other than an lu-
nroner nrotectionl" asked Governor I sharply
Mr. Ncwcombe turned rcd then after consttlerntle
suffering replied Disturbances might arise IN 'nee
saloons and having applied for licenses thoy were en-
titled 20 protection Captain RJ was not asked 10 Vio
law but simply give proper protection I" the
men" Governor Hill looked II the point was not made
clear to him. MIR. Ncwcombe pleaded In reply to the
charge that Messrs McnelI and Haughton had licensed
thirteen dsrepuiabe places that 1t was natural to make
some mistakes when In year they had ll,1oo APP
picatons for licenses 10 sell liquor Every one oil the
thirteen places had been licensed only after an Inspector
aud tho captain OF police Of the precinct md tcstol
that a license ought be granted. The captains quoted
as having approved the Issuing OF sIch licenses were
Alexander s. Williams, OF the Twenty ninth Precinct; T.
g. COPELAND. Of tho Ninth; Charles Mcdonnell. oi the
Eighth aud John Brogau. Of the Fthecnth. inc boat
of Excise II also said did wrong In Issuing license
70 Thomas f. Parker. In reply thcy would state tha
$50 gentlemen belonging to tho finest classes nsked
that Parker should DC granted license Mr. ocotl hr
ward stated that thu Lontcmon belonging u Tue hncs
resionranf Ieeer IL thc same icignborhood It
easy 70 make a mistake Instance Mayor Grace com
then himself appointed I'M city Marshal.
What law authorizes TIE removal Of an Excise Com
Commissioner, Mitchell Morris md liaughon looked
disturbed by tho quecion ard NJ Scott replied bt-ky
IL Chsple l73 Oi tie Laws Of 1870. appear here
Ia represent Mayor Grace Of New York. who has pre-
icred the charges AMI who will furnish tue evidence
Mr. peyo In behalf OF sir Morris, said that thc Commits
sinner could not make dcfcucc until Inc learned what
theatres had liquor stores attached 10 thcn which hhd
been licensed by him .
IL Will easy furnish the names o TRch dealers,
said MIR scott aud permit me 10 -ay this state
meu OF the Excise Commissioners that they weTo lGho
rant Of OF certain Places Is surprising
one. II l. get such nfOrmatlOu In regard q"
theatrical licenses would Say that " the Excise ON
mi4siOners gran license 10 man to sell liquor ~
place where the law forbs ito sale O' liquor they invite
disorder cuncrde that thcrS IA nothing In the excise
laws which forlIs tho issuing OF such license, bnt
other statutes prohibit tie prsciice.'.
" The statute Mr.. scott refer, TO- said Mr. Ityo'
simply iurdn- that during the hours OF theatrical on
teri ainments liuuOr shall - sold Ou tbr prcinireH
10 YOU clhm that In the summer tue wnon most
theatres closed That these men couldn't sell InOri
asked Governor Hili.
We only claim a." said Nr. sc0t that there are GER
Tain theatres open all tho wheIo liquor i sold
fhe GoscrnOr here said TINT he would give Rn"ther
hearing the charges rI"-tlAy when further arSu
ment will tr made by tine counsel