New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-05
PRICE THREE CENTS.
DOWN ON HIGH LICENSE
THE LIQUOR DEALERS ADOPTING A Plat
FORM.
PRAIsING GOVERNOR HILL AS THE RUM
SELLERS FRIEND-DI sTRUsr EXPRESSED
OF THE REPUBLICAN, PARTY.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE IRIBuSE.i

pirate at the State Convention Of the liquor.
dealers here to-day than the badges. which bore
on their face good portrait Of David h. HILL
with the words in golden letters beneath IL:
Seventh Annual Convention of the Wine, Liquor
and Beer Dealers of the State of New-iork
This badge, of course was worn over the heart
II may be remarked that the life Of the associa-
tion began in the year that Democratic Adj
ministratio1 came into power at Albany. and
that five of the seven years of its existence have
been contemporaneous with the years of adj
ministration of Governor Hill. The con,e enton.
which was held in Maennercbor Hall in this city,
was under the control from the start of Governor
Hills friends.
Early in the day Mannerchor Hall WAS filled
with the delegates. 1t was evidently far larger
convention than that of last year. and justified tho
boast of the leaders of the association that in the
last year. owing TO the fight high license. its
membership had increased TO 5000. The han
WIS prettily decorated with flags. Among the flags
was that Of Great Britain. a delicate compliment,
perhaps, to the British syndicate which has pur.
chased the big breweres of Rochester. When
members became thirsty they wandered down
stairs, where a bar did big business all day. IL
was noticeable, however that the officers Of the
association, the most intelligent in the body,
slaled their thirst only with water Mr.. kearns
raped for order about noon, when there were
800 delegates present lie delivered short
speech, beginning in such way that every one
for second thought that he going to intro
duce clergyman. He said:
g Let us return thanks to the Giver of all good
for the many fruitful blessings bestowed on ds
since our last convention
Some persons thought that this was an in
vocation TO the Almighty, while others without
irreverence considered it a reference TO Governor
Hill and his constant defence of the liquor in
terests. Mr.. Kearns on concluding his
speech, introduced Mayor Parsons, of this city,
who formally welcomed the convention. Here is
an extract from his speech:
II am not unmindful of the fact that this is
convention OF the most important character The
business in which you are engaged has been tho
subject of legislation both in this country and in
Europe for upward of 200 years. The purposes Of
this legislation, having reference to good govern-
ment alone, rightfully interest all of citizens
irrespective of their calling or occupation.
J., as the chief magistrate of this city,
may perhaps take the liberty to suggest that it is
eminently proper for you in your deliberations
to advocate such measures as will aid in MAIN
tanning good order and sobriety everywhere. The
present and increasing agitation in favor Of egis
lation calculated to diminish the evils of intem-
perance is subject which should attract your
careful and studious attention Your course on
that question should be directed by wisdom and
good Judgment; not by prejudice or passion Leave
fanaticsm to the fanatics. Remember in your
deliberations that you not only delegates to
the Liquor Dealers Convention, but that you are
also loyal citizens of this glorious Commonwealth,
the Empire State
The annual report of the officers of the associI
ton was then read. In this report their efforts
to prevent the passage of any laws restricting the
liouor traffic were given in detail. They stated
that mongrel substitute for the Excise Commits
sion bill was passed by the Republican Legis-
lature but that it was vetoed by "our friend
David b. Hill So, also, they were grateful to
Mr. Hill for vetong the Curtis High-License bill
and the Vedder State and County Tax bill. The
Vedder bill was another attempt to further in
crease the already onerous burdens on our trade,
passed by both houses, vetoed by the Governor
The statement of Mr. Hills action in vetoing every
bill that threatened to check liquorsellng was
received with fervent enthusiasm and loud and
long cheers The officers further stated that al
their request Denis O'Brien, of Watertown, the
former Democratic Attorney General, had drawn ur
an amendment to the Civil Damage Act, which, il
it had become law, would have been OF great
benefit to the liquor trade. However. the Re
publican Legislature refused to pass it, 1t should
be stated that Denis OBrien is now candidate
for the Democratic nomination for Judge Of the
Court of Appeals, and, OF course, has the backing
of the liquor interests.
Max d. Stern also presented report IN the
form of letter addressed to, Pres-
dent Kearns in which he 6e%aed ting ting
refused to pass the bill in the interest of the
liquor dealers, which had somehow received the
approval of the Excise Committee Mr.. Stern
also reioiced that our courageous Governor
vetoed the Excise Commission bill upon dis
covering that the Republicans had converted it
into moderate High License law The most In
terestng feature of Mr.. Sterns letter was his
advocacy of the opening Of saloons on Sunday. In
his opinion no excise bill can ever be enforced
that does not make some provision for allowing
large majority of the public 10 be supplied
under certain conditions and during certain hours
on Sunday.
The platform was the first thing on the pro.
gramme, and the committee was prompt In re-
porting it. Here it is:
The Wine, Liquor and Beer Dealers Association Of
the State OF NewYok in convention assembled IN Roohes-
ter September A. 1889. ndo1ss the policy Of regulation
and the policy OF prohibition, general and local
We ndoFse such regulations not intended 10 accom-
psh prohibition indirectly, but eliminate as much OF
the evils sultng from the abuse OF liquor as Is possible
TO bo done by law.
Resolved That we are opposed that attempt 70
regulate which by high license to discriminate be-
tween the rich and the poor, or against one loeaiiy'
Resolved, That willing to pay reaSonso's
license that yields such 10 the state as our
Industry can bear with justice those engaged In Il;
but are opposed to TO grind such enormous
brunch Of business as VIII ciVe respohsoe
men from the trade and destroy our property
Resolved That character and conduct as exhibited In
the naetical management Of the liquor business and de-
termlned by proof in court are the only Just tests
restriction.
Resolved That we favor law which dsqualihes from
-aee,ng ucense In our State all persons who have been
convicted OF felony. who have been confined In any
State prison or pententary.
pesoIved That We favor for six working days.
authorzing the sale OF liquor from m to a. m. ~
NAV be nxed by the local authorities which shall Be
granted all persons not disquanea oy ts preceding
restrictions at not exceeding the present rates
Resolved That all regulations OF the trafc for hours
h ,han ahovc stated be left 20 each locality and
~ ,o,, IN recommend such regulations o