New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-21
No. IS Broadway, New-York
A TAMMANY MAN ON REFORM.
MR. RoOsEvELTs WORK COMMENDED AND TIL
personal LIBERTY CRY SHOWN
TO RE A SNARE

MR. ROOSENELTS WORK COMMENDED AMI lhE
personal LIBERTY" CRY SHOWN
TO BE A SNARE.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir. I notice an excellent editorial in The Tribune
q, the 18th inst on 'Plattism." II is sound and
filled with pungent facts. Thomas c. Plat Is un-
doubtedly an interruptions political knave' ready to
barter principle for personal ambition and aggran-
dzement.
This brings me TO the question Of reform. ana one
phase of IT, refer 10 the unremitting diligence OF
the president of the Police Board Theodore Roose-
welt, in closing according to law the saloons on the
Sabbath day. This gentleman deserves the highest
commentator for his fearless execution OF the
statutes which pertain open saloons on the Sab
bath He has been made the target OF the fouest
abuse ever hurled upon any man who ever hVed IN
this city but he will the day that he VIII be
one OF the most respected men In this metropolis
As Tammany Democrat of the simon-pure type
think can do Mr.. Roosevelt entire justice in this
matter
The workingmen have been constantly ag!tatng
the eght-hour system which is good one. and there
are those among them who 90 not wish that the
thousands who engaged in the retail liquor
trade in this city shall get any rest from their
,abors at all. Consistency. thou art jewel! But
let us add right here that there is no danger on
this head-the popular mind is being drawn more
and more during these panicky tines 10 the con-
sidera ton Of the proprety OF the liquor business on
any day In the week In due course of time there
will be a boodless conflict that will settle another
great question OF National reform, but 1t Will not
in this generation.
The immediate purpose Of this article Is 70 sound
the tocsn of warning TO Tammany brethren in
regard to this matter Of Sabbath opening OF the
saloons. Tammapy is occupying an untenabe 20,
sit!on this question. which Is strongly condemned
within our own ranks. True Democratic doctrine
enunciates the fact that the people are the gov
eminent. and that the majority rules; now. by tar
the greater majority favor civil rest day. and TINS
element Is backed by the clergy who defend the
Sabbath day divine institution. There is a GER
exiirpation OF the Sabbath. Why. II they had thelr
own way (but the people of ork Will not let
them have it, they would turn one day OF the week
into day of drunkenness and rioting
This brings me TO the consideration Of the differ
ence between personal liberty and criminal license.
The former is the rational exercise OF ones own
fringng upon the rights OF our neighbors; the
criminal license is for the stronger TO RUE over the
weaker without Justice or mercy. The personal ib-
erty" Sabbath-opening people would. II they mad
peop.e. they would turn the Sabbath into per
feet bedam; and then the Sabbath would be an
nulled altogether, and the working people would
week by the greedy capitalists-they would receive
no connniseration from either God man. This IS
the kind of personal liberty they have in store for
their dupes If 1t not for the more intelligent
portion of the people
As for our Tammany brethren. they had better
member last fall We thought that were
so.idly intrenched that we couldn't be defeated but
many then work for true personal liberty. and main
tain government for the people by the people"
Let Mr. Roosevelt still continue TO enforce the law
We have good reason 10 remember the liquor people;
they stabbed Tammany in the back last fall: II Is
a long road that has no turn. GREELEY
New-York Sept IL. 1882