New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-10
"A SATURNALIA OF VICE"
STATE SENATOR sTRANAIIAN ARGUES FOR THE
REVOCATION OF THE GRAMERCY
CLUB LICENSE

REVOCATION OF THE GRAMERCY
CLUB LICENSE.
State Senator ~ n. stranahan, Royal r. Scott
Of Canandaigua attorney to the State Commits
sioner Of Excise, and Alfred r. Page. attorney to
the Deputy Commissioner Of Excise in this city,
appeared before Justice Russell, In the Supreme
Court, yesterday and asked for the revocation OF
the liquor tax certificate held by the Gramercy
Club at Sixth-ave- and Thrtieth-st.
The grounds which the motion was based are
that the license obtained by false representa-
lions. that the club conducted in improper
manner and resort for disordery women.
and that liquor sold at prohibited hours and
to persons not members of the club
The application originally made to Justice
Beekman who referred the to Edward d.
O'Brien. as referee to take testimony TO the
manner in which the club was conducted The
testimony taken before the referee was submitted
to Justice Russell by Senator Stranahan, who said
that Mr. OBrien presented no report on the issues
TO your Honor" said Senator Stranahan for the
reyocaon Of this ceractte Thirtyve witnesses
I'VE OF them testified that during last month they
hsa by n of ZIP a%s been openly solicited
tina, hs record spus Is very h +eeor a. and we feel
before. the court in this hot weather. 1t is the
most hagrant violation Of all decency have ever
1T seems that the certificate OF Incorporation
upon which this license was obtained was that Of
~
b. Corey for $50 Corey got number Of his ser
wants together one, evening. They held meeting
and blossomed to the public as the Gramercy Club.
Over fifteen thousand tickets Of admission-other.
wise cards of membership-have been issued. at 10
cents each, the only condition being that the per-
sons receiving them should, when purchasing
drinks. declare themselves members of this
called social club.
This is the first appica ton of this kind made
under the Liquor Tax law in this State. II is
brought by the State Commissioner Of Excise
himself, for the purpose Of testing this question
Of clubs which involves public scandal and a
Of he In
This is not social club. recognized by this
law. 1t was perfect saturnalia Of vice on Sun
days well as weekdays"
p H. LOTUS. for the club argued that the aver
ment that the liquor-tax certificate was obtained
on false representation must fail.
Justice Russell said he inclined to agree
with counsel on this point.
Mr. LOTUS further argued that. as. the wit
nesses who had testified before the referee were
excise agents and police who had obtained cards
Of membership by fraudulent other representa-
tions. their evidence should not be held suffi-
said that Edward b. Corey. the secretary Of the
Gramercy Club had been arrested. indicted and
tried before Recorder Cor .on charge of running
a disorderly house. THE jury disagreed said
counsel. land the foreman has since Informed me
that on the first ballot they stood II to for an
acquittal. and 10 to the last ballot taken.
When the jury stood In this criminal case I
hardly think Your Honor will revoke the license
of this club on similar testimony"
Justice Russell asked counsel on both sides TO
submit briefs. and reserved his decision