New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-14
ALL FOR EXCISE REFORM.
TRENTON THOROUGHLY AROUSED OVER
THE LIQUOR QUESTION


RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PRESENT EXCISE
BOARDS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AP-
PARENTLY SURE OF CARRYING
THEIR PoINT-REPUBLCAN
ALDERMANIc TICKET
WILL WIN.
Trenton. April 10 (Specia)-The local political bat
tie which takes place tomorrow took somewhat
sensational turn to-day when the city Excise Board
refused to meet to consider the renewal OF dozen
or more licenses which will expire tomorrow. This
action will necesstate the closing OF twelve saloons
The fight Is a triangular one and the Excise Board
Is the bone of contention. There are also eeven
Aldermen and an Aderman-at-Large to be elected
Both the old political parties have put forth their
regular excise tickets. but under the leadership OF
the Rev. A. W. Wlshart, Of the Central Baptist
Church, all the Christian churches in the city have
Joined a movement under the title Of the Citizens
Reform, and have nominated an entirely independ-
ent Excise Board. consisting OF two Republicans
and Democrat. Strange to say. sporting people
tonight laying bets of SO to s. on the success
OF the reform excise ticket.
The leaders of the cd parties are paying abso-
utely no attention to their party excise ucKet ana
Republicans and Democrats are known TO have con-
trbuted literally toward the expense OF the re-
form movement. Both parties appear surprisingly
anxious unload the responsibility for the doings
Of the Excise Board.
Trenton has a population Of less than $1,000. yet
she has 3s4 saloons. one saloon to every J." men,
women and children in the city. Two members OF the
present Excise Board candidates FOR rejection
and their refusal to meet to-day, which was the
day for the regular monthly meeting is said to have
been actuated by desire to be revenged upon the
New-Jersey Liquor-Dealers' Association. OF which
Andrew Cahill is the local president.
The Liquor Dealers Association recently COM
PEELED the Excise Board to revoke the license OF
several foreigners. raising the point that no license
could be granted TO any person not citizen OF the
United States. The association Is accused by the
Excise Board with desiring the election OF the re-
form ticket Last night President Cahill ATTENDED
the Central Baptist Church TO hear the Rev. Dr
Wisharts sermon on the need Of excise reform and
several other liquor dealers have taken an unusually
lively interest In the hustling young minister In
nearly every church in the city the subject OF ex
tan ticket" Is discussed everywhere to-day. ana
nearly all the old politicians are tonight conced-
ing a victory TO the church people Unlike any
other movement inaugurated by the cnurch peopIe
Excise League announces in circular TO each voter
that 1t does not ask for any mans vote ior pro-
hibtion for temperance. The re1ormers
say that they recognize the fact that the caPitai
they will ask OF the Reform Excise Board eiecteo
is that the be strictly enforced relative to sunday
selling the selling 10 minors, and the licensing OF
the low grog-shops the outskirts OF the CITY IL
is said that II the reformers are successful they
will increase the license from $50 70 soO ana re-
duce the number Of saloons about 800
OF the twelve Aldermen 10 be elected. the kepup,
licans expect to elect the Alderman-at-Large and
seven of their ward nominees. The Democrats have
little or no heart in the campaign and openly ex-
press their indifference.