New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-10-09
GROG-SHOPS IN POLITICS.
THEIR KEEPERS AIMING TO CONTROL TIE
STATE ASSEMBLY.
GOVERNOR HILL THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF
THE cAMPAIGN-wHAT THEY INTEND
TO DO IF SUCCESSFUL.

TO DO IF SUCCESSFUL.
SrRoM TIE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
Albany, Oct. S.-There is one phase oil the
political campaign this year in this State which
is attracting little attention, and yet ]"
may he recognized hereafter as one that
deserved the closest observation of active poll
ticians. THIS phase is the great activity OF 'he
iiquor-dealcr They resolved to elect an
Assembly which will pass a large number OF ollls
in their interest
Doubtless the reason their campaign has not
been much noticed is that it is not heins con-
Quoted on the brass band principle No mem
her of the State Wine. Ale and beer Deaicrs
Association is blowing buge from the house'ops
to warn the voters of the State what that assocl-
ton is doing The only publicity given to the
Eauor-dealcrs' movement was the holding oil thelr
State Convention here. That WIS only an
apparent nuhlicty; as the important work OF the
association was transacted secretly by the enc
cutive committee Of the order. Ihcre was
boast that the association had grown rapidly tue
last wear That was obvious. The association
meeting was never before attended ny snch n
large number Of delegates. One would really be-
lieve the statement of President Campbell that
the association now has $4,000 retail liquor
dealers in its ranks. The State Convention itself
had as many delegates as ordinarily attend those
OF the Prohibition party
But. as stated. a veil was thrown over the most
important acts of the convention. Information
was refused as to the condition of the bribery
fund of the association. although 1t was intlmateo
that it was large. Nor was any information gwen
about the features Of the amendments to the ex-
else laws which IL was we'll known had been
prcpared before the convention met Yet one
fact could not he concealed, namely. that the
retail lquordcaers intend to use al! their pontcaA
power 70 elect a Democratic Assembly. II possible
and failing that, 10 exact such pledges from NC
pubcans running in close Assembly dlstrlc'e as
will assure the passage of bills relaxing the excise
laws of the State in the interest OF The liquor
sellers Governor Hill, through Edward MURPHY
ir the chairman of the Democratic STATE 'oh-
mittee of course will direct the operations oil Tine
liauor-dealers mainly in the line oil the eee'lon
of Democratic Assemhymen.
As election day approaches, IN" Iiqu'r-"d"is
are becoming more active. Last evening "'N-
crnor Hills newspaper organ here, The ALBANY
Times" disclosed some OF the amendments 7" 'he
excise laws which they intend 70 press before 'Ae
Legislature and to whose support the Equof-oea
ers are now seeking Ia commit IN advance u"
members Of the Assembly. TIE newspaper makes
the important statement that one OF me DIES
Of the LIQUOR dealers fixes the MAXIMUM hcehs"
fee at $3.50 instead Of $3.50 as at present. lha'
is far away from high license. 1t would be
retreat from the high-icense position OF the he
publican party should a Republican Assembly
pass such bill. But the temperance people
must learn that either they or the uquor-dcairrs
will dictate the policy Of the State i'll dealing with
the LIQUOR traffic The liGuor-dcalers have been
aggressive ever since they defeated the Republican
PARTY and its hishcense platform in los-. In
the two years that have passed since that year they
have been yearly before the Legislature, pressing
With all their strength amendments INTENDED Z"
relax the laws against hquor-sNlling. Now, as
stated by THE Albany Times. tie liquor-dea!rrs
are seeking To exact pledges from Candidates for
the Legislature that If elected they VIII vot' f.!
a bill lowering tie maximum license fee Which
can be charged by boards Of excise from $50 L
$3.50.
The Times" also states that the Executive
Committee of the State Wine, Ale and Beer
Dealers Association have prepared an amend
meut to the Civil Damage Act" and that "a
secret circular is to be sent 10 members Of tie
Assembly and all candidates are to be questi"nc;
relative to this before support Is given. I'll"
amendment to the Civil damage Act, it is s,id,
will require the wife OF Il Lkart, TO- instance.
10 warn iQuor-deaers, with written notice, no,
TO sell him liquor. Such al amendment, 1t Is
obvious would virtually abolish the Civil Danla~r
ACT. Another amendment OF the same act gives
liquor-dealcrs more power under the law 10
cover payment for liquors they have sold and for
which they have not received payment
One amendment TO the excise laws Of vast i'm
portance Is dscreetly kept in the hack ground
This Is authorizing the selling Of liquor upon
Sunday afternoon it will be press whether
the Assembly is HepN blican OF Democratic: rs the
liQuor-dealers WI! seek 10 gam PIE igcb hon
Republican AsscmblyLAen AS we'll as Democratic
ones 10 support sucE bill
yr,tilo M .lrp
man from Onondhea County VINO voted against
tie len1Ticks Ils i.-Liccnse DI, has tren rr..onl
ina,eu through tao efforts OF the llnor-oe"lers
and of Democrats VITO packed Republican eau.
cuses in Syracuse. lie can lie relied upon u
repay this Indebtedness George campbell. OF
Syracuse. the PRESIDENT Of tne STATE Vine Ale an
Beer Dealers Association, Informed rhAt body at rs
State convention that out icr the Presence oi
Mr.. Sawmiller in the Excise Committee Of th,
the Assent bly,. MI C,.lpneIi gaze too mucn credit
10 Mr. Sawmillei. There were other nieuIb~rs
Of the liQuor-deal"rs. Tie committee IcportcI
favoraby tie infamous sO-cailed Police Hpi
bill. This bI)l-deieaiei by ihc Republican ma
jority-was draw mainly with the motive o.
permitting the see of liquor upon Sunday ana
between | ana 8 O'Clock IL the hIorn:n.. II pro
h.bted policemen from entering liquor salo"n' an;
asking IOr glass OF liquor upoa SuiaH OF At ot n"i
times when the sale Of Ilqnur is frhid'er. "
policeman who thus osks for iror zoe, 80 Inercy
70 obtain evidence against lHnor-srI'r nc
must buy the liquor now. taste II ana he anl" to
swear il is liquor before he can convict lldor-
seller o.. viot.,Ds the law. Suhs,an,il.l% The
liQuor-dcalers ask the LEGISLATURE to proaibit
policemen from enforcing the excise laws on Sun-
day This Police SPY bill" is another measure
which the liquor dealers ale asking Candidates fo1
the Assembly to promise that they Will supper.
1t must he obI ous from what has bee: sad
that the h1nor-dealc are making an active rdn''
paign Ia break down the riciso laws Of TIC STATE.
that they have welidefncd plans and that thei
will play an influential part in tho fall campaisn
II Democratic Assembly should bc e!ectri there
is no question tia. every one of the bills men
toned will be passed.. And if the Republican,
party ha, only a small majority III the Assembly
the same attempt will he r,ade to pass them
II, on the other hand, the Republican party has
O large ma jority in the Assembly the h4uor-dealers
will know at once that they cannot possibly pass
their measures.