New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-21
SAMPLE CLSE or EXCISE PERSECUTION
THE EXPERIENCE OF JOHN SUTHERLAND. THE
RESTAURANTKEEPER, WITH TAN
MANY OFFICIALS.

The manner I'm which the Excise BOARD aided
by the police make II uncomfortable for those VINO
do not agree with them, politically otherwise. las
been illustrated rcosnty In the OF Jon Suhcr-
land, the well-known restaurant keeper Of NO. %
Liberty-st Mr.. sutherland has done business in
lbcrty-sr for more than thirty years. For scv raj
Years he has been annoyed by Inspector, of The
Excise Department calling on him about the time
his license expired, who would ask him many rrcl p
want and, Mr.. sutherland thought, imperuh nt
questions. They would want TO know how old hc
was, where he born, ETC. Mr.. sutherland com
plained of these questoners and their visits were
stopped Then last year Mr. sutherland lad occas on
to express the opinion that II much easier
for those TO secure license who paid fee 10 the
officials than for those who unwilling 10 do
this.
All these things apparently were treasured up
by the Excise Department people. On May Mr..
Sutherland's license expired. As Is the custom he
applied some time before that for renewal OF ms
license. On May he received postal card from
Mr.. Bishop, the clerk Of the Excise Board, which
r. I'd as follows
Your application for a renewal Of license Is APP
proved by the Board Of Excise and the certificate Will
be issued soon the forms made necessary by the
new Excise law are prepared and executed. lOu
should call without delay at the office Of the Board
and present this card 10 the clcrl..
Not less than six times have | or my cashier, >
said Mr. Sutherland yesterday. called at the Office
Of the Excise Board and tried 10 get that license
| went up accompanied by my bondsncn and with "A
check in my pocket ready TO pay, but every time /
put off with one excuse and another But |
told that the postal card from Mr.. bishop all
/ needed TO continue to do business unmolesed
after my license expired and before | got Tie new
license on "wednesday last however. Il police de
tective came here and told me that / was breaking
the law by selling liquor without Il license. showed
him the postal card and he said 1t no good.
Then he wont away, and at G:lO O'Clock another
detective came in, called for glass Of beer drank
ii and then arrested my barkeepcr. | understand
that the police Informed from the Excise
Boards rooms that doing business without
license. Well, put to much trouble pos
sble In procuring 800 ball for my barkeepcr They
refused To accept me as surety and had TO get "A
friend. The next day my man was before Judge
Duffy in the TOmbs There he had 10 furnish new
bonds for 800 bound to another
Now my place Is always closed sunday, and
after trying in vain to get my license. through no
fault Of my own, and having been told that the
postal card was sufficient to relieve me, yor can see
what a petty prosecution IL all As an instance
OF how differently ! was treated from the run Of
Tamnany saloon keepers. | will quote What Judge
Duffy said about another brought before him.
| quote this from a morning newspaper:
" .Discharged' said Judge Duffy yesterday In the
Tombs to saloon-kecper Henry welbrook. Of No.
"a Churcl-st. Il think your arrest wa- an outrige.
What do the Excise Commissioners mean, anyway !!
When application Is made for "A renewal Of license
the sa0Onkeeper is told 10 wait until the clerks can
attend to 1t at their own sweet WILL and that IN the
not be interfered with. The Is scarcely out
of the building when notice Is prepared Tor ule
captain Of police in s which e Sa Ge Is Tbe aa
arrest Is made. Pm getting Disguised with TINS
sort Of BUSINESS
Mr.. sutherland's longdcayed license was received
Yesterday.