New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-19
TIE ryCTSE COMMISSION BILL


It may be taken for granted that Governor
Hill will sign the bill constituting conlllns-
sion to revise the excise laws OF the state
and report to the next Legislature. Inc ldea
originated with the Excise Commissioners Vi
this city, and was promptly seized upon oS
Governor Hill, who thought he saw the oppor-
tunity not only to get the credit Oh doins
something in the direction OF temperance re-
form without offending his friends, the liquor
dealers, but to put a Stumbling-block IN the
vav Of the High License bill He did not
dare. of course to let this appear openly as
his object, and so inserted in the message pro-
posing revision his now famous suggestion
that the Commission bill need not interfere
with other excise measures before the Legs
lature-a remark which he coolly ignored when
he came to write his High License veto.
But however shamelessly the Governor may
have falsfed his position in this matter, ne
is committed by his message so far that he
must sign the Commission bill. In 1act, ne
is probably anxious to do so. lie VIII try 10
use the bill to put himself in more respect
able attitude toward the subject than he mas
occupied since his last veto. This was received
with such universal disgust that even the Gov
ernor. though he is thick-skinned politician
must find his present position before the pubic
somewhat disagreeable. We shall, doubtless,
then see attached 10 the law one OF Mr.. Hi
sophistical arguments going to show that ne
is the exemplar and apostle of Temperance
Reform.
The revision will be public benefit. The
so-called general excise law, an imperfect
measure was passed thirty-one years ago, and
and contradictory legislation that, as the New
York Excise Commissioners SAID, even the
student becomes lost and dismayed in an effort
to reach coherent analysis of these laws,
notwithstanding many judicial determinations
running through the past thirty years." Inc
| Governors, beginning with Mr. ROblnson ten
! years ago, have repeatedly urged revision
upon the ground that the citizen was entitled
! to know what the law was upon subject so
important, and that he could not know in It's
present state The justice of this is apparent
But something more will be looked for from
the Commission than to reconcile differences
between existing laws. II will be expected to
improve and reform the law. Governor Hill
recognized this when he said, in his message,
there is an expectant demand for some i'm
proyement in the Excise law" There is no
reason why the bill to be reported should not
contain distinctively High License feature
and we hope it will be found that majority
of the Commission favors this course. Inc
Rev. Dr. Howard Crosby is one OF the leaders
in the High License movement and MIR. Rol-
Inns and Frederick w. Kruse can be counted
with him on that side EX-Congressman
James S. Smart is a well-known Republican,
and if he stands with his party on this ques-
ton, will range himself with them. Mr.
Gallus Thoman is described as a man of ability,
who favors further restriction of the liquor
traffic, but being in the employ of the brewers,
he will doubtless wish to make things as easy
for beer as possible. Max ID. Stern is a liquor
dealer, and Denis O'Brien, the former Attorney
General, will probably be controlled by Gov
ernor Hill. If he signs the bill, the election
of officers must follow within ten days. The
choice of the secretary, who will be the work
ing officer, will probably show what we have
to expect of the Commission.