The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-12-31
7RHNY0B'S CRUSADE
Citizens Determined to Purify
the State Capital Police
land Excise Commits
sioners in Conflict.

TRENTON, Dec. 81, 1S94.-Ine agita-
ton of the citizens of this place for
cleaner government and less violation
of the Law is taking some definite shape.
The cutlery is against Sunday liquor
selling, and the loose name in which
disorderly houses are now run.
Two departments OF the city govern
ment are in conflict rs to whose duty
it is to report Illegal liquor selling The
police and Excise Commissioners do not
agree as to the disordeily houses that are
selling liquor without I license and to
minors. They admit that It is very easy
to get drinks in houses at any time,
and that there is not much respect for
the age of the customers but it Is not
clear whose duty it is to discover the
facts and, start the prosecution. The
police claim that the excise department
is by law compelled to protect those
who are regularly licensed from those
who are not, while the excise board
charges that these are disorderly houses
pure and simple, thai the police ought to
know where they are and have knowl-
edge of what is going on.
GOING TO THE BOW-WOWS.
City Solicitor Reelstab IS trying to
SGJliG The CdAlIONGISy dtio Va IL q
days render an opinion in which he will
define the duties of the two departments.
This has become necessary because the
citizens who believe that Trenton is
going to the bow-wows have demanded
that something shall be done to keep
saloons within the law and to keep dis
reputable houses from spreading all over
town. Chief of Police McChesney was
to have made a report to the Police
Commissioners last Wednesday night of
the number of disreputable houses in the
town, with the names of the owners,
tenant and the inmates of each. He only
reported progress, explaining to the board
that he had not yet completed the in
curry because he was establishing the
ownership by an examination. of the
records. This, he explains, is necessary
because of the law recently passed which
makes the owner of property occupied
by ~disreputable persons liable to In
dictment by the Grand Jury and punish
able with Imprisonment n fine, he
same as the keeper of a disorderly house.
REFUGE FOR NEW WORKERS.
This fact has become known and 1t
has frightened a number of ~landholders,
who ave served notices to tenants TO
vacate speedily. This is particularly the
case along the notorious "Bowery," where
the worst classes of houses have existed.
statement that the resorts in Trenton
nave fallen into the hands of New York
women who escaped from that city since
the raids began. The citizens are com
will show the Chief that he knows little
or nothing Of what is going on in the
town. There are six houses that are
places filed with New York girls.
Secretary W. A. Venter, of the Young
Mems Christian Association, has gathered
side of the town. and estimates that
there are 600 people engaged in the sa-
loon business n 200 in the disreputable
houses. making 800 people whose work
than sixty clergymen. One bottling es-
Enlistment has sixty-six houses of ILL
repute as customers. 1t is roughly esti-
mated that there are over 100.
ALL-NIGHT HACKS.
The increase has been so per cent. in
the last two years. There are upwards
of forty hacks that do business all night
in making the tour of the "Tenderloin''
district. w. J. Conyery, President of the
Police Commissioners, states that the
board is in earnest and intends to rid the
town of many of these Objectionable
Secretary venter states that laynen
are aroused as we'll as clergymen; hat
there will be a general citizens meeting
will be discussed. Joseph B.. Richard
son, who was at the head of the Law
and Order Society several years ago,
and who managed by a vigorous crusade
to keep all. excise violators in check, is
to be the speaker at the general mems
meeting at Association Hall tomorrow.
He is not a resident of Trenton, but
is still a property owner and business
man. He is more feared by crooked sa-
loon people. than a dozen police, because
when he prosecutes he never stops until
he gets the offender in the State Prison.
He has expressed himself willing tc
Lead a crusade if the prominent lay
men of the city will help him.