New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-14

the liquOr-tax law Is their pest caru uh"
are playing this hand" with all their strength
Buffalo has one of the largest German popula-
tons Of any city in the United States, and the
beer saloons are therefore numerous Self-inter-
est, the Democratic managers argue, will in
duce the liquor dealers to support the Demo-
cratic candidates for Senators and Assembly
men: since they would have to pay less for the
license to sell liquor under local excise board
then they would II the Raines Liquor Tax law is
kept on the statute books and the State tax is
maintained But many liquor dealers. on the
other hand favor the retention Of the Ranes
LIQUOR Tax law, because its high tax has re-
duced the number Of saloons, and therefore OF
their competitors.
THE SALOON OUT OF POLITICS.
Added to this the abolition of the local Board
Of Excise has taken the saloon "out Of politics"
unless It chooses to take part in political move
ments. Formerly the excise boards adopted
coercive tactics, and forced the saloon into
politics AS consequence the saloonkeeper,
much against his will in many cases, was
forced to electioneer for various candidates and
was assessed large sums Of money by Demo-
cratic committees With the creation of State
Excise Board. located far away in Albany, this
intimidation Of liquor dealers by local politicians
almost disappeared. and the liquor dealers have
no desire to restore IT,
An attack upon the Raines Liquor Tax law
IS therefore a two-edged weapon which cuts
good many Democratic fingers when they at
tempt to handle It.
The Senate District which is especially at
tackled by Senator Murphy and his agents Is
the XLvIIIth. which is composed Of the Fourth,
Fifth. Seventh Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh.
Twelfth. Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Sixteenth
wards Of Buffalo. 1t is what is known as the
East Side District" and embraces territory
covered with the homes Of the workingmen OF
Buffalo. 1t Is also filled with factories and
warehouses It is the home o. the poorer men
OF the city, but a large proportion of these men
own their own homes, and as taxpayers are
deeply interested in all questions OF taxation
When originally carved out by the Republican
majority of the Constitutional Convention it
was believed that this district would elect a
Democrat as its Senator, but at the first cleo
ton in 1895, Simon Seibert was elected, and he
has since represented the district. Mr. Seibert
had represented an Assembly District Of the
Senate District for two years previously and
had made a legislative record which pleased his
constituents Az sales agent for Becks Brew
cry one Of the largest in the city of Buffalo.
he also had acquired large number of personal
friends On election night in 1895. therefore.
politicians generally were not surprised that he
had carried the district by vote of 1880 to
S4i9 given his Democratic opponent. He thus
had q 101 plurality-a large one considering the
fact that the district was arranged so as TO be
a Democratic one.
MIR. SEIBERT AGAIN A CANDIDATE.
This year Mr. Seibert is once more a candi-
date. but with larger acquaintance in the
no Of hax la,A
hard for three years to please his constituents.
The Democrats have resolved this year to carry
the district beyond all question, and have nomi-
mated Samuel J. Ramperger, who is a sales
agent for Schussler's Brewery much smaller
brewery than Beck's. The contest between the
two candidates for Senator. to the amusement
of Buffalo, has become a struggle apparently
between two breweries. The managers of both
of them happen to be Democrats; but that does
not matter William Simon, manager OF the
Schussler Brewery, is member Of the Demo-
cratic State Committee from the XLVIith
Senate District. George c. Ginther prominent
business and Democrat is manager OF
Beck's Brewery Mr.. Ginther. however is hotly
supporting Senator Sebert for reelection.
The excise question naturally is warmly de-
bated In the Senate District Lately a great
deal Of attention has been paid to the evidence
Theodore Roosevelt gave as q GOllCe COmmlS
sioner before q committee Of the State Senate
In 1896 in regard to the practical working OF
the Kaines Liquor Tax law. Following are the
extracts from Colonel Roosevelts testimony
which have excited the most general interest:
Q.-what Is your connection with the Police
Department OF the city OF New York? Al am
president Of the Board OF Police.
Q.-How long have you been president? A.
Since May @. 1880
Q-When you took your position what did you
find the condition OF affairs to be In regard to
the enforcement OF the then excise law? Al
found that II was fery partially and, az have
reason to believe. corruptly enforced
Q.-You at once began TO devote a large por-
ton OF your attention To the enforcement OF
that act? A-Not at once; II you wish | Will
submit
ROOsEvELTS ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW.
Q.-Exactly your own explanation will prob
ably be the best Accompanies were made TO
me that so-and-So was allowed to sell on Sun
day, while his neighbor was shut w. and used