The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-03-17
Platt on the Raines Bill.


Ex-senator Platt the real parent OF
| the Raines bill has been moved by ad-
verse criticism to enter the arena In
that interesting measures defense
What he says is also interesting. New
York" he remarks, "has long preserved
an unenviable notoriety among her sis
ter states for the number of her sa-
looms. We have staggered along with
one drinking place to $50 people, while
our more sensible neighbors in other
states have only one saloon to 317 peo-
pie. 1t Is not denied that the places
where liquor Is sold will be reduced at
least 40 per cent, or that between 5000
and 10000 will go out of existence at
once. Is it necessary to point out the
immediate great reduction of poverty
and crime which is certain to follow
such ylsn nllegislation?I TO which the
Prohibitionist will no doubt add that
the reduction ought to be made COM
plete by wiping out all the saloons.
Again: 1.-THE bill will furnish instant
IcllSl ~ thc VI tHV StotV.
The states share of the income from
the bill will no. be less than $3.50 200.
and the share of the different towns
and counties will not be less than $5,o0O.-
900. The hard truth is. the measure
raises the money to pay one-third of
the states entire expenses every year,
and it Is believed by those who ought to
know that its reduction of local taxes
will be nearly the same, thus taking off
two-thirds of .he burden of the tax
payers in the different localities"
Concerning its political effect, the eX-
senator says: THE bill does as much
to take the liquor business out of poll
ties as 1t is possible for legislation to do.
1t substitutes one responsible authority
which covers the whole state for the
hundreds of petty excise boards which
have thus far existed. It wipes out
forever in New York Tammany Halls
power over the liquor sellers, and re-
leases them from its control over their
purses. 1t makes it impossible for any
political organization to harass the
liquor interest. and this does more to
purify the politics of the great cities
and large towns than any measure ever
enacted in the state. And 1t does all
this for about $l500OO a year. or about
the same amount :he board OF excise
costs New York city alone"
Finally, Mr.. Plat says:
The Raines bill makes the liquor deal
er Il self respecting. citizen. So long as
he observes the law his vested rights
cannot be- infringed. He need not worry
over Tammany HaIrs exactions in NcS
York or the demands Of the head OF tho
ring in Troy. From the day the bill be-
comes u law he walks forth Il free man.
and after he has discharged his oblga-
tionS to the state no one can make him
afraid. IT Is in the very widest and best
sense a bill to secure the liberty Of the
subject Like all wise and beneficial Leg
islatiOn, this law cannot be made to serve
as u respector of persons. 1t cannot be
used for Or against any political party or
for or against any individual whether
that individual be poor or rich. Ii liz the
most distinct advance to a higher plane OF
government In state affairs and In local
affairs as well, that New York has eyer
known. 1t serves the very highest inter-
est Of true temperance reform, while II Is
In no sense Il sumptuary law. II inter-
feres with no mans eating, and il does
not strive 10 regulate any mans dr!gk-
ing. 1t Is bill to reduce the amount OF
poverty and crime throughout the state.
and to greatly increase In, sum of human
happiness among its citizens. 1t IN no
fashion whatever intrrferc5 with the in,
nocent amusements Of the people. whilH
II enheavorS to carefully preserve the
welfare of every citizen against those who
would engage I'm the liquor business with
"a reckless and criminal disregard of tn.
rights of others. az well az OF the best
interests OF the state at GarGc
This defense is an ingenious one. We
frankly confess that we should like to
have Mr.. Platt's statements put to the
test. Almost anything would be an i'm
provement on the present excise sys-
TEN in New York state.