New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-06-30

lON'-kEMPNER DECLARES THE PEG
PIE PREFER POLITICAL SHARKS
TO PURITANIcAL REFORM
BIGoTs"-A LIVELY
WORD BATTLE.
There was no doubt left on the minds of the
Sunday liquor-selling element yesterday that
Mayor Strong has decided to enforce the Excise
laws of the State. and that on Sundays and be-
tween l and a. m. every other day here
after during the rest of the year. at least no
vinous NAL, spirtuous liquors are to be dis
pensed in New-York City in violation Of law if
there is power in the city government to prevent
it, A declaration TO this effect was made by the
Mayor yesterday in the presence Of several hun
dred members of German societies. who. adj
vocates of a "libs ial sunday" had called upon
him by appointment TO urge more lenent
struction Of the law.
But the Mayor. backed BY President Roose-
Welt of the Board Of Police Commissioners
fused 10 bulge from the position that the law
was upon the statute books and must be en-
forced. The law in question was passed by
Tammany Democratic Legislature. manipulated
by Richard Croker sitting IN the East Four
feminist. wigwam. and signed by Tam
many Democratic Governor Roswell L. Flower
Before the enactment of the law at the session of
Hall pretended that it meant to listen 10 the
appeal Of the liquor element for modification
of the Excise laws. These to be changed
that the sale of wine. beer and other liquor was
to be allowed during part of Sunday, and all
night licenses for liquor shops were 10 be per-
mitted. But the Tammany leaders. who had
been using the Excise laws to compel the liquor
dealers 10 do their bidding aided by the black
mailing police officials. who were growing opu-
lent on the blood money which these laws
bled them to extort. joined hands at Albany and
throttled the notifications asked for by the
iquor-dealers associations. The only concession
made was the all-night licenses not one Of which
was ever granted Tammany Hall and the Dem
ocratic party Of the State therefore response
BILE for whatever :he liquor element finds amiss
in the law which the Mayor was asked yester-
day to set aside.
Not since Mayor ST. eng entered upon his Of
cial duties has he seen so angry gathering in
his office The Mayor himself was unperturbed
when the delegations from the German Reform
Union ard the United Societies for Liberal sun
day Laws swarned into his office just before IL
a. m to protest against the strict enforcement Of
the law He received them graciously and
everything ran smoothly until Otto Kempner
Internal Revenue Collector Edward Crosse and
Sheriff Hansen began saying hard things about
reform and the present Administration. Then
the Mayors wrath stirred within him, and 1t
was an undisguised fact that he was mad clean
through" He did not mince words, but told
those present that he Gid not fear a political
death and that he meant to close every saloon in
New-York. Before the Mayor grew angry he
said that he was In favor OF the quiet German
peer.earden. He said that he believed in their
morality and that ne would take his wife to
them But, as the law permitted Of no discrm-
nation he could not make exceptions.
The discussion was begun by Collector Crosse.
who asked the Mayor quietly If he could not have
the law enforced less severely. The Mayor
leaned against his desk and replied: Il tell you.
boys as long as the law is on the statute books
II has to be enforced There Is no getting over
that fact. Now, you know the best way TO get
rid Of an obnoxious law is to enforce IL. ana
when the Legislature meets. why II can De re-
pealed. / believe in a quiet drinking resort
where man can take MS family. but it is be-
yond me TO say you must close this place ana
leave that open, which is what you practically
ask me 10 do. Then, again. even saloonkeepers
want Sunday for rest. 1t may be an ignomnous
failure our attempt to enforce the law Dut II
cannot be said that We did not try
Then Sheriff Tamsen made a proposition He
said: Mr. Mayor. while you are about II you
should stop the streetcars and close the stores
That is what the law means.
Al this point President Roosevelt entered and
rushing through the crowd with an impetus that
scattered the visitors right and left took UP
place close to the Mayor. This reinforcement Oh
one positive ally plainly welcome TO Mayor
Strong Without noticing Mr.. Tamsens PROPOSE
ton. he said:
81 am going to enforce the law. but when the
Legislature meets will be ready to help you get
the law changed
What are we TO do from now until January
~ asked Sheriff Hansen
Keep the Sabbath" replied the Mayor. III
may be the most unpopular act OF my me- "u'
am going 10 enforce the law.
Mr.. Crosse looked wild AT this and said that the
oresent administration was becoming despotc ana
rs,,g drastic measures and that the course was
,r,,ol,,ic He prophesed that next election the
nenple would rise up and sweep from power lle
nariv To which the Commissioner ana the Nay,
belonged He SAID ihat . II t wss p To- be en-.
rorced President Roosevelt would not DC
Commissioner Of Police ana Mayor ia tba1
.n,,IS not he in the Mayors chair. lie salu 'i'i'
PRECEDENT Roosevelt, running the rlsh Vi oei.'e
consigned to political oblivion; that IL was
and that IL was a tyrarnical use Oh ao''''
power. ,. .,o,n.d forward and said
ION. lust let me answer that argument. ne r ndS
defined the issues and Will meet thei' 'f"''
a" "1nid on" said Otto Kempner, who had KEEP.
,,,e-rmnting MIR Crosse; II want cnahce u
speak," a.id tho Mavor.
..To want 70 be heard now" walled III.
Ksmnner: 4 want President Roosevelt 10 answer
my arguments" p.os,a.n, Roosevelt. his
.v.s cleaning through his gold spectac'eS'
THE MAYOR GROWS TIRED.
y.r made a long harangue and quo'ed
= -. Hs.vor,a nre-election letters and speeches
90. construed 10 desire more liberal laws
~. Nicer locked at his watch and intimated 10
x..,nnar that he had other business to see TO-
~ oo, ., 81 want TO tell YOU Mr. May.
~ tbat we hold you responsible for the fa,iure %
- - fog,s,ature 10 act on this matter. ~, Ia no