The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1892-06-29
THE SALOON AND HOME RULE CUES
TIONS IN NEW JERSEY.


From the Newark Evening Ns,ns. Ind. Democrat.
THE SALOON AND HOME RULE CUES
TIONS IN NEW JERSEY.
On the day that the Court OF Errors and
Appeals rendered a decision which seems
to insure the curtailing II 1t does not point
out the unconstitutionality of the powers
vested in the County Excise Boards, an-
nouncement was made that Governor Alb
bett had put one of those commissions in
charge of Passaic County's soloons. OF
course, this invasion OF local self overu-
ment and home rule was made in the
fashion characteristic of such forays.
Not because they are Prohibitionists,
but because they had grown heartily tired
of saloon domination, abuses and defiance
of law, the people of Passaic City, at an
election 10 which the issues were clearly
drawn and presented, elected as members
of their Excise Board men pledged to
stricter regulation of the saloon interest.
The new commissioners, disregarding, as
il would appear, the fact that a subser-
Went Legislature had passed law EN-
powering the Governor TO step In and sue
cor saloon keepers who might be subject
ed Inconvenience by local authorities, set
about carrying out their conception OF the
wishes OF the people as expressed at their
election. They may have gone beyond
the expeditions OF the voters. They raised
the license fee from $3.50 TO $500. They
refused to accept as signers Of license APP
plications some of the old standbys who
had served the liquor-sellers for many
days. They even proposed the enact
ment of an ordinance requiring all saloon
keepers to remove scr ems and blinds aud
expose their bars TO the view OF those
who passed along the streets. II is fair
to say that 10 some of these measures the
Excise Board went beyond the wishes of
not a few of the men who had helped TO
put 1t in power. II was urged to raise the
fee only TO $500, to shut up Objectionable
places and TO compel those who held H.
censes TO rigidly observe the law. Such
course would have been more moderate
than that really taken, and probably more
nearly In accord with the real sentiment
Of the community. The board chose
more radical measures, and thus ii gave
the Governor better apology for an ex-
cuse for interfering.
But, after all, II Is only an apology for
Board were the chosen representatives, OF
the people OF Passaic, and II they exceed
ed or abused their authority the citizens
OF Passaic were fully competent to correct
their excuses, to deal with them and to
elect their successors.
But that is not the doctrine OF the Col
lasping Autocrat OF All the Jerseys. His
idea, crystalized in legislation by his SER
vitors, is that ii is the proper business of
the Governor to plumber every community
OF the State OF home rule. There can be
no dearer opportunity--surely none is
more cherished-than that which comes
when the cry OF the saloon-keeper ascends
to Trenton. This was one OF those oeca-
sions.
And not from Passaic City alone came
the voice OF lamentation. In Paterson
even in Paterson--the people have been
getting just a little tired OF the old order
The Board OF Aldermen has taken to re-
fusing to grant licenses against which rea-
sonable protests are made. The board
has even yielded to popular demand
that saloons shall not be licensed within
l 800 feet of public park. Surely it is no
wonder that under such grievous oppres-
sion the saloon-keepers should appeal to
the man who has secured the authority to
act as their royal patron and strong deliv-
erer.
But it is possible that IL any of the PEG.
pie of Passaic take enough interest in
this matter TO make fight for local self
government change may come over the
spirit of the dream of those who are happy
because of the appointment Of the County
Excise Board. In the Camden case de-
cided by Court OF Errors and Appeals q
saloon-keeper who had paid $500 for a
| license, sued the city to recover 5000, the
County Excise commission having fixed
the fee at $500. Judge Hugg, sitting 10
| the Circuit Court for Judge Garrison, gave
| judgment for the amount. This decision
| the Court of Errors and Appeals reversed
not stating its grounds for such decision.
10 the case counsel for the city OF Cam.
den directly attacked the constitutionality
Of the County Excise Commission act and
also the constitutionality OF the act giving
the Presiding Judge Of the Common Pleas
Court power to sit and try casses in the
Circuit Court. Perhaps when the opin-
ion of the highest court is filed the Gov.
ernor, so far as the exercise Of authority
under this particular law is concerned,
may go out OF the business of upsetting
home rule.