The sun., 1896-03-14
RAINES LIQUOR TAX BILL.
NO ONE SERIOUSLY DOUBTS THAT
THE GOVERNOR WILL SION IT.

Ample Time for Filing Bricrs-A Bill
May Pnss Reducing Ale md Beer IL
cense-Raincs says He VIII Oppose 1t.
ALBANY. March l3.-Thc Raines bill. which
passed the Senate on Tuesday and the Assembly
yesterday. was placed on Gov. Morton's desk
this morning. lTo has until March 25 the day
after tho state Convention. TO net upon II. No
seriously doubts that he will affix his sigma.
ture. probably some time next week. 1t Is said
that he wns displeased Mt the arbitrary methods
employed yettcrday In fnrcng the bill through
the Assembly behind locked doors. AID that he
made the comment thnt such means ought not
TO have been necessary with the large Rcpubi-
can majority In that body. The Governor will
give no hearings on the bill. as ho feels that II
they were once begun there would be no end to
them, and, furthermore. that tho fullest and
fairest hearing has already been given to the
opposition. He will act slowly. however. and
give ample time for tho filing Of briefs.
Now that the Raines bill has finally passed both
Houses, there is n revival OF the sentiment for a
special ale and beer license at one-half the reg
ular rate. A measure amending the Raines
bill will probably be introduced, but It is likely
to bo held back until after tho Raines bill is
signed. 1t will contain . provision that the
presence Of spirltuous liauor upon the promises
OF q saloon keeper holding such q license shall
be deemed conclusive evidence Of violation Of
Tue lhWs anu bnal DO IOuOWOO Dy Ln0 lmmoOlRL0
revocation OF his license. The bill is likely
to be introduced in the Senate FIRST and
there is fair prospect CT its pas
sage by that body. Nine city Republicans
voted for this change in the Senate caucus.
Pavey, Coggcshall, g. A. Davis. aud Seibert,
who were not in the caucus, would probably vote
for it. So would Weman. who participated In
the caucus. but stayed home aud refused to vote
for the bill on it's final passage. The fourteen
Democratic Senators added TO these would give
Il total OF 20. leaving margin OF two who might
vote against the bill without its being defeated.
or course. such n hill would be fought by Raines
OF Canandaiuua. and presumably by his con-
freres. Higgins of Olean and Ellsworth OF Lock-
port. Raines has already seen his bill amended |
in SO many directions that no is sick and Sore
mo bill can be passed" ho said to-day,
changing in any respect the provisions of my |
bill. am against any such proposition and |
can got enough votes to beat it,
But although Higgins. Raines and Ellsworth |
are the duly constituted leaders in excise legis-
lation, they are no, the Republican majority by |
any means. This was demonstrated at the eau |
Gus when the city mem bcrs, under the lead Of
White and Wray. turned down the hayseed |
triumvlrate and changed the distribution Of
moneys from half and half to one-third and |
two-thrds by majority OF one vote. Higgins. |
Ranes. and Ellsworth would hardly go to |
tho length OF calling another caucus to defeat |
the supplemental bill. and II tho city members
stand by, il can be passed over their heads. Tho |
most conservative men in tho Senate believe |
that such measure would 80 far to reduce the |
unropularty of their excise legislation. and |
would be good politics in view Of the German
vote.
In the Assembly the sentiment in favor Of |
such a bill s still stronger. Mr.. Aids OF Che
mango. Chairman of the Excise Committee, |
would favor II, as he was persistent in urging |
he in the or na bill r a. all the
believed to favor it. Finally. it is more than |
suspsc,ed that Coy Morton would lend his
Another excise measure which has a still |
Of the iiq nor sellers affected by the decision fthe
Court OF Appeals III the Cairness case. Several |
bills have already been introduced for this pur-
pose. and repeated attempts have been made by |
the Democrats to secure consideration for them.
any such pr"positi"n Vile tho Rain"s ne IS iii was
pending. Chairman Aids. however. Unlimited |
severn. times in connection with these attcmp,s
that when the proper time came he would do |
hS share toward to- passing such nl III tis pr3b,
committee, and that 1t will be reported to the |
Assembly next week. Even Rnines Is magnani
such hill, inasmuch as it would not In any way
affect his own masterpiece,
Mr.. O'Grady gave notice that night sessions |
would be held mext week. on Wednesday and
lNuTstlhg. hS well hS NloIlay. l he purpose or |
this is to clear MP the calendar In prepara-
tiuR for an al journmcnt next week from Friday
till the following Wednesday at Loun. to allow |
the Republican members to attend the state |
Convention.
The Cities Committee OF the Senate reported |
fnvurably to-day nu'rhcr of New York CITY |
bills. including the following:
senator Pages authorizing the Sinking Fund
Commissioners to order the issue OF $4,000 900 |
additional dock bonds. not more than $4,000 |
600 To be issued IN any ono year.
Also authorizing the Dock Commissioners to |
increase the salary OF the Engineer in Chief |
from $4,000 to $4,000 year
Also for the requirement Of property for tho
improvement OF the water front on the Nor,n !
River. between Ttethunc aud Ganscvnnrt streets. |
Senator Forl's authorizing the Park Com |
!Assouers to complete the Rivcrsu" Drive. in |
Guiding the N.nduct crossing, Nincty-sixth |
street. and providing for an issue of bonds not |
exceeding $1,000
Also requiring the Clerk OF the Court Of
Special Sessions to deposit with the Comptrol- |
Ter the amount OF fines collected and to mako |
monthly statements Of the receipts ani expenses |
Of tl.' court.
senator Guys, providing for the determina-
ton of compensation to be paid for laIl taken |
for approaches to the Harlem River Bridge.