The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-01
THE RAINEs LAW.
A Statement By the Author, senator John
Wainea.

A Statement By tho Author, Senator John
llainee.
To THE EDITOR OF I'll sUN-Sfr. The Netc
York Tribune Of May 20 reports the following
resolutions as having been adopted unanimous
ly at a mass meeting Of the Independence Hall
Democracy" held at Cooper Union Hall, May
20, 1897:
We oppose the Raines Liquor law and its amend.
ments rs unwise. unnecessary, oppressive, and in
violation Of Democratic principles; we oppose them
as being an invasion Of the personal rights of cih-
Gems In tho cosmopolitan city OF New York, and
as q serious obstacle TO independence In political
action; we oppose them a. urJust. because. under
their operation. the CITY Of Ne,o Yorh pays es,o00..
900 totoard State tdres and receives IN return less
than 100000 a pear. tho rate OF tax discriminating
against this city and in favor of the rural counties;
we oppose all such measures designed 20 interfere
with the ~lcgitimat, business and established customs
OF the people. because. by reason Of the impossibility
OF their honest and equal enforcement and the artt-
fee, subterfuGe. and corruptions which they cause.
all laws and legal regulations are brought into con.
tempt
Ihave no desire to make q "holy show" Of tho
Independence Hall Democracy" whoever they
may be, or Of Mr.. Julius Hamburger, who sup
ported tho resolutions in what is said to have
been an eloquent speech, but do desire to call
attention to the statement as to taxes, and to
give the following from the official figures for
the current year.
Practically we now have tho financial results
Of the Liquor Tax law for this year, as future
receipts will about balance the rebates and OK
penses.
The total amount collected in the city Of Now
York from May /, 1897, to June %. 1897, for
liquor tax certificates is S5, 317, 637.45.
Paid two-thirds to City Treasury ........s %, 54b. oo1. os
Paid one'third to State Treasury. 792. oAb.s 80
This one-third paid to the State Is the amount
which causes the great anxiety on tho part Of
our friends and which they think Is unjust
toward tho city Of New York. Let them rest
easy. During the same time there was collected
in the entire State S12, 527. ss1.2s. one-third
Of this to the State Treasury 10 S4,175,-
9Go.43. This amount is applied to the
reduction OF State taxation. New York city
pays 46.3s2 per cent. Of tho entire State tax;
consequently her share Of this reduction 10
Sl,926, 1893. 96; and as she has paid In but
$1,772,545.s2 she receives $le4, IA moro
than she pays in. Thus New York city not
only gets the benefit Of tho total amount
collected in the city for liquor tax certificates,
$5,317,637.45. but tho further sum tof which I
fear she is supposed to rob the rural counties) Of
S164,34s.14, a total benefit to taxpayers of New
York city of 5,4s1. es5.59.
When We remember that in 1895, tho last year
under the old Excise Board, of which Mr.. Har-
burger was q distinguished member. Now York
city received from liquor licenses 81, 200. $50,
less amount for collection, 1874. 29o.27, or
q net sum Of only 81. $50. 23s.73. it would
seem as though the man who thinks New
York city is being robbed for the benefit of tho
country or is not largely benefited by the Liquor
Tax law should paste these figures in his hat
for future reference. J. RANEA
CANANDAIaUA, juno 20.