New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-26
RAINES LAW AMENDMENTS.
PROTEST BY THE INDEPENDENCE HALL
DEMOCRACY - SPEECHES BY MESSRS.

PROTEST BY THE INDEPENDENCE HALL
DEMOCRACY SPEECHES BY MEsSRs.
ACKERT, HAMBURGER AND HARVIER.
A protest against the Raines law amendments
was made last evening at mass-meeting which
filled the large hall of Cooper Union to Overlooking.
The meeting called by the independence Han
Democracy. in which julius Hamburger. the former
Excise Commissioner and Ernest Harvier. the
Commissioner of the Park Avenue Improvement,
leaders 1t was apparent that the larger part
of the audience came from the East SIDE ana
the sentiment of the audience plainly was In favor
of a more liberal excise law than the one now In
force.
Ex-Judge Alfred T. Ackert presided at the meet
ing and in a preliminary address declared: I'VE
believe in home rule and no trust combinations
and in laws made by our own citizens to suit the
wishes of our own people. We condemn the excise
legislation Of last winter because II was uh-
Democratic liberal and unjust. There has been
created by these laws what is seemingly hotel
trust. in violation of the rights of others and in
violation Of Democratic principles And liberty
loving people will remain quiet until these I'M
just laws reformed, altered or abolished IN
such manner as shall be judged most conducive to
the welfare and happiness of tho whole people.
The resolutions which had been prepared for the
meeting were passed almost unanimously. declaring
in part follows:
We oppose the Ralnes Liquor law and Its amend,
ments as gn%e we oppose them
as being an invasion Of the personal rights OF
citizens in the cosmopolitan city OF New YORK, ana
as a serious obstac to Independence In pontlcal
action; we oppose them as unjust because u ,
toward State taxes and receives in return less than
$4,000 a year. the rate of tax discriminating
against this city and in favor OF the rural counties;
we oppose all such measures designed TO interfere
with the legitimate business and established GUS
toms of the people, because by reason of the i'm
possibility of their honest and equal enforcement
and the artilce, subterfuge and corruptons which
they cause. all laws and legal regulations are
brought into contempt
Fx-Commissloner Hamburger, who had many
friends in the audience, made speech in which he
declared that the Raines law was the most OPP
pressive, obnoxious and Ubiquitous measure ever
passed by the Legislature. He argued in favor OF
more individual liberty for the people OF the city,
and declared that what he called the vested
rights of the quor-deaers ought not 10 be taken
away from them. He attacked President Moss OF
the Police Board for going into Club" and
getting admitted 10 membership under an assumed
name saving that the action of Mr. Moss was that
Of a SPY, and that such man ought not TO be the
general o a police force of four thousand men He
also predicted a Tammany victory in the coming
municipal fight II the opponents or Tammany IA
vored the Raines law.
There were several other speakers. Commits
sicner Harvi.r declared that the Independent Dem
ocrats Will support ticket favoring the action
of the Legislature the liquor tax law, but II n
ticket is nominated on local issues exclusively. and
unoer such conditions as invite the support or all
independent citizens. was the case In 1894 Wnen
Mr. Strong was elected, they have not yielded any
Of their views TO Tammany Hall and the system OF
politics which ii represents in New-York Il nave
been fighting Tammany since l have had vote.
said Commissioner Harver last night, "and hope
TO be fighting Tammany this year again-and In
successful company"