Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-13
Mr.. Hill May Make Capital of the
Excise Question.
TRYING TO REUNITE TIE DEMOCRACY
Appealing to Those Who Think
Their Liberties Invaded.
THE EFFECT ELSEWHERE

Senator Hill. In his letters criticising the
rigid enforcement of the excise laws in New
York city, has probably sounded the key
note Of the democratic campaign in the
empire state this year. His calculations
seem to be based on an examination Of the
old order of things. The city for years
dominated the politics Of the state. When
ever the democratic vote between Harlem
bridge and the battery was heavy the de-
mocracy carried the day; when light, the
republicans carried the day. The demo-
cratic vote In the city last year was the
hghtest on record, and the result was the
largest republican majority in the state on
= record. The republican strongholds above
Harlem bridge, encouraged by the demo-
cratic apathy and disaffection below the
bridge. turned out in force at the polls and
swept everything before them.
A RnllyinE Cry.
Mr.. Hill is seeking not only to reunite
the democratic factions in the city, but to
give to the reunited party winning rally
ing cry. And this cry is his charge that
the republicans are converting the city into
an old Puritan settlement. He does not
attempt to reason out the responsibility
much beyond the fact that the republicans
are in power, and are giving the directions
that are being executed. Mayor Strong is
q republican and Mr.. Roosevelt is a re-
publican, and on those two officials, ac
cording to Mr.. Hill, hang all the law and
the orders. The Senator is evidently count
ing on big protest at the polls against
the Sunday closing now being insisted
rpcn. The rank and file. who are most
affected by 1t, are expected to turn out to
a man and repudiate it, while the mayor
and his friends will be left in the lurch.
Experienced politicians concede that Mr..
Hill is moving on line that may bring
him temporary success. A great town like
New York is, as a rule, easily aroused on
any question respecting what is known as
personal liberty. The large majority Of the
voters are workingmen, whose leisure is
rights. If the Senator can persuade these
men that the mayors policy Is aimed at
them and principally affects them, he will
have host at his back In the coming cam
And with the metropolis aroused again on
his side, success in the state, he thinks, will
be assured.
The Eject Outside New York.
But how would such a winning in New
York this year affect the natiol al situation
next year? Mr.. FILL would have tosstand
before the country On the character of his
victory. If he wins as the champion of
free indulgence on Sunday at home, will
not that affect his fortunes In all rural
communities, and with those inhabitants Of
the cities leaning to the other side OF the
question? What would it avail him as a
residential candidate to gain the whole of
New York on an issue certain to bring him
into antagonism with all advocates of Sum
day Observance? He could not escape the
extreme construction that would be put by
his opponents upon his victory. If he bill
let's the republicans as Puritans on the
liquor question, he necessarily incurs for
himself and his friends the accusation of
being in favor of liquor. In fact, he is al
ready charged. on the strength merely of
his utterances up to date. Of seeking to
rally the liquor interests all over the coun-
try to the support Of the democratic party
In the race OF next year.
The liquor question is one that the poll
ticians. as a rule, fight way shy of. They
handle 1t with the care that goes with dyn-
amite. On the one side are the enormous
distilling and brewing interests, generous
as campaign contributors, and on the other
the churches and the rural voters, strong
In numbers and moral influence. Whenever
1t Is possible, the politicians walk around
delicate excise questions. Mr.. ,Iill is an ex-
ception to the rule. He insists that the
question in New York shall be fought out
at the polls. Will he make the question as
prominent in Congress next winter when
the proposition comes up to impose an ad-
ditional tax on beer?