New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-23
MAY SIGN THE BILL TO-DAY.
RELIEF THAT THE GOVERNOR WILL
MAKE THE RAINES MEASURE LAW.

TO SEEK APPROVAL FROM THE STATE coNVEN-
r1oN-A SUPPLEMENTARY BILL TO DESTROY
THE ONLY MERIT OF TIE ORIGINAL ACT
Tp1 TELEGRAPH THE TRIBuHr'
Albany. March 22-It Is the common behei Oh
the members of the Legislature in Albany TO-
might that Governor Morton Will sign the RANT
Siouor Tax bin tomorrow morning. That
action nv the Governor. If IT is taken, will IN
doubtedly have as Of it's motives the print
ing of the news of his decision in to-morro"
afternoons newspapers In New-York CITY ana
TINS bring il before the eyes OF the delegates
To the Republican State Convention II Is APP
parenty the purpose of Mr.. Morton 10 HE VIII"
the Secretary Of State. II he signs the DID, d"
elaborate memorandum stating MS REASONS io'
approval of the measure. If he should veto '"e
measure on the other hand, he would write a
veto message and file it with some ofhcer OF Tue
State Senate In which the bill originated. bu'
from the fact that there Is no necessity u"uei
the commands Of the Constitution 10 HE such
q veto message with any officer OF the senate
hefore Wednesday next, 1t can naturally be IN
ferred that the Governors statement to-"ofro"
will be one approving the bill and not dsap-
proving 1t.
II Mr. Morton signs the bill tomorrow ana
makes public a memorandum approving IT, the
Committee on Platform Of the Republican stare
Convention will have an abundance OF time IN
which TO read the memorandum and draw up
plank expressing the conventions opinion OF
the Governors action There can be no oouot
that Mr.. Morton has rather hurried MS occasion
or the bill for the purpose OF enlightening the
managers Of the convention as to the rate OF
the measure. And there can be no uouo'
that Thomas c.. Plat. If Mr.. Morton approves
the bill. will direct that fervid eulogy Dc
drawn up by the Committee on Resolutions Oh
the convention praising the Governor LOT put
ting his signature to the Raines Dill MT. fia't'
with sixty excise appointments in sight, anu Ills
whiskey machine fully established by MT. MOT
ton's act. could scarcely fail to surpass himself
In eloquence in pattng Mr. Morton on the oaoA
for his decision in favor OF the Dill
There have been rumors here again all uay
that Mr. Morton in his memorandum on the
Raines bill will recommend the passage OF
sunplemental bill lowering by one-half the tax
upon ale and beer. Such a provision would
lower the tax on ale and beer dealers IN New
York to $500; In Brooklyn to 1925; In Buraio,
Rochester Syracuse. Utica, Troy and AL
bany to $3.50 and in Poughkeepsie and oth9r
minor cities to SITS Such an amendment Wouiu
deprive the Ranes Liquor Tax bill OF Whatever
merit 1t now has in imposing somewhat high
tax on the liquor-dealers. MT MOTION IL he
signs the BILL will do so under plea that al
though it creates vast and OBNOXIOUS poht'-
cal machine, it nevertheless may reduce the
number of saloons A reduction In the tax on
the ale and beer dealers would destroy this
argument 1t would also run counter TO the
Governors own recommendation In his last an
nual message to the Legislature. In that mes
sage he said:
The question of regulating the sale Of fntoxfcants
will come before you for action ana II rs @
that many different measures Will be ofered lot
Your consideration. / regard 1t as my duty to
recommend such legislation will measurably re-
duce the number of places in which in5oxicatlng
beverages shall be sold Throughout the State Sta
t;scs show that there Is larger number OF saloons
in this State, in proportion to population than IN
any other whose statistics are available. fuO n,
opinion does not occur in the desirabiiity OF sucl
distinction for our State. 1t is CHARGED that the
present excise law Is measure favorable 70 lne
fuuor Interests only. that private properly Is no.
protected from the aggrcssions OF saloon nnueE.
and that violators Of the law have compara,Ne
Immunity from the penalties which IT preso Id IS;
The latest complete returns of population ana OF
retail licensed drinking places In eight States sho"