New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-27
EXCISE LEGISLATION.

EXCISE LEGISLATION.
The suggestion concerning excise legislation
made by Mr. Charles Stewart Smith in letter
TO ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Saxton. which WIS
printed in yesterdays Tribune, Is worthy OF ser-
ous consideration so far as 1t relates to me
co-operaton with the Legislature Of a citizens
committee in devising law which, while general
in its provisions and requirements, snail meet III
n reasonable and wholesome way the peculiar
conditions OF metropolitan life There are DIM
cultics In the way Of appointing or selecting me
members of such committee representing the
legislature in advance Of the meeting OF that
bodv which seem to us insuperable, and we
nrcsume that upon reflection Mr.. smith Will
ooroo with lis as 10 that feature Of his PROPOSE
ton. Nor do we believe any advantage would
he gained by what might seem 10 legislators
Jealous Of their prerogatives, an attempt 10 lore
stall their action in SO important matter. MT.
Smith NAV be right in his prognosticatlon as 10
the flood of excise bills which will be offered, Dut
so far from considering that as something 10
be avoided, it seems TO US the best thlng mat
could happen. For this is a question which mas
been long time under discussion, and during
the last six months has cngroSsed puDhc aueh
ton more largely than any other topic. ii WIS
a leading issue in the late election. AS Mt.
Smith says: THE Republican party is in power
land must take the responsibility or racing these
"nroblems fairly and squarely.' And it must
face them fairly and squarely by giving 1uii
md natent hearing to all sides listening to all
nronositions for their solution. and, after weigh
ing all the arguments taking wise and deliD-
crate action.
While disacrceing with Mr.. Smith In the par
ticu,or referred 10. we are most heartily in ac-
cord with his suggestion that committee of
welknown citizens. N whom the whole com
munity has confidence. should be selected 10
confer with committee of the Legislature 10
be regularly appointed upon the details OF
general excise law And his further suggestion
that such committee should be appointed py
the Chamber Of Commerce, which has already
done such splendid service in the work OF mu-
nicipal reform, seems to us emneHuy WISE
That the legislative committee appointed 10 con-
slider the subject will not only give respectlui
hearing to such a committee, but VIII cordially
welcome counsel and cooperation from such Il
source. does not admit Of a doubt Inc RESPONSE
bility for some legislation which, If not Offering
q final solution of the problem, VIII at least
make tentative effort in that direction, Is upon
the Republican majority in the LEGISLATURE IL
cannot be eyaded without cowardice The party
exhibited the courage Of It's convictions IN meet
inc ono nhase of the question in It's State Con-
vontion. The discussion aroused by that action
makes il more than ever incumbent upon inc
party to meet in the Legislature with the same
boldness the Issue which has been raised there-
by The existing excise laws, we think we are
safe in saying. give entire SATISFACTION 10 none.
That there are wide differences in the RepuD-
lican party upon the subject il would be useless
TO deny But upon one thing all law-aDlolng
citizens agree that is, that whatever laws are
on the statute-book should be enforced and
obcyed, and that 10 class in the community can
rightly claim immunity for them.
Included in the general subject Of excise lesis-
lation Is the question Of Sunday observance.
Ipon that pont-whch was raised, 1t will be
remembered by the distillers and brewers, who
solely for the promotion Of their business in
terests demanded special privileges for the liquor
trade not granted TO or even asked by any other
class-the position Of the Republican party was
distinctly laid down in the State Convention,
and a Republican Legislature is not likely 10
deviate from It. The day Of weekly rest will
be maintained in its essential features "in the
interest of labor and morality The existing
Sunday laws so called, are no doubt imperfect.
Whether or not they may be relaxed in some
particulars, whereby less stringency may be
exercised in the restraint of necessary and
wholesome traffic during certain hours is
question upon which a full hearing should be
had. 1t deserves careful consideration. But
further than this, ii is safe to say, the Legis-
lature will not go 1t will not abrogate the Sun
day laws entirely, nor will it enact the Saloon
Sunday, for which the Tammany and CARGO
champions Of the poor mems clubs clamored
so loudly in the late campaign The result of
the election settled that question. We believe
the Legislature will take UP the whole subject
of the excise and the kindred issues involved in
a shirt Of fairness and moderation, and that its
conclusions will embody legislation which, If
not final solution Of the problem will at least
remove Ii as far as possible from current poll
tics in which it has always exercised most
pernicious influence. And we have no doubt
that Mr. Smiths proposal Of committee Of citi-
zens 10 cooperate with the Legislature will con-
tribute greatly to such result.