New-York tribune., 1901-12-03
JEROME'S EXCISE BILL.
HE IS OPPOSED TO A REFERENDUM
FIRST IN ROCHESTER. HE PROVIDES
FOR SUNDAY OPENING.


Justice Jerome has drafted a Sunday opening
bill which he will tender in the legislature for
introduction the first week Of its session In
January. The justice has been engaged on
this piece of legislation for several weeks Last
night he announced to some OF his friends tha'
he had practically finished his task When seen
last night the District Attorney-elect dechneo
to give the exact provisions of the measure
but admitted that he had the legislation in the
shape that he wanted it. He added that he in
tended to make public the details of the bill on
December II at a meeting of the Chamber of
Commerce of the city of Rochester
The fact that came to light last night regard
ing the Jerome bill which will in all proba-
bility excite the most discussion. not only in
this city, but throughout the upstate districts,
is that the Justice does not favor referendum
On the contrary, his bill will have the legis-
lature itself legalize the public sale of liquor on
certain hours Sunday.
When seen last night at the City Club by
Tribune reporter, Justice Jerome said:
Yes, it is true that have studied this ques-
ton out and have drawn up a bill which 1 be-
lieve meets the problem as it ought to be met,
and what Is more as 1t only can be met
Does your bill provide for local option?" was
asked.
1T does not" was the emphatic reply. "A ref
erendum bill is kind Of bill. In the first
place, what are Senators and Assemblymen
up there In Albany for if it is not to represent
the people. If. then. they do represent the peo-
pie why should they make laws on the condi-
ton that they first must be submitted to the
people? No. The legislature must take the re-
sponsibiIity. and the whole responsibility. upon
itself"
But do you not think that bill without
referendum clause which provides for open Sun
day saloons on certain hours would be over
whelmingy defeated by the upstate Republl-
can vote?' asked the reporter.
1T may look that way was the answer,
but I do not think so. For instance, take the
votes from the cities of New-York, Buffalo
Rochester. Syracuse and Albany. and you have
a majority in either branch of the legislature
For instance. New-York is entitled to 90 votes
in the Assembly, Erie County 8. Monroe County.
with the citv of Rochester. 4: Onondaga, with
the city of Syracuse, 4, and Albany County,
with the city of Albany, f. This gives total
0r 80 & votes ma II, n nS What Us more wben
the rest which way the tide is going they
will hurry up TO get on the top of the wave
and to go along with it
why do you make the details of your bill
public to the city of Rochester when it concerns
the city of New-York?" was asked.
For the very reason the reply that
need the vote of the upstate and second
class cities. l believe that when the application
and provisions or TINS Dill are rnaue known 10
the people of Rochester. and thus to the inhab-
itants of her sister cities, of this hue and
cry which has been raised north of the Harlem
River against a liberalization of the Sunday
laws will subside."
DO you intend to take an active part in the
support of this measure at Albany?
Il most certainly do" replied the Justice with
great earnestness. Il have gone into this fight
to win and I do not intend 10 stop with any
half way business. 1 feel that the people are
behind in this question. and for that reason
I don't why they should not succeed
Although Justice Jerome declined to give the
details of his bill last night it was learned that
It provides for saloons opening their side doors
for certain hours on Sunday: that it abolishes
the so-called Raines law hotel and extends 10
the second class cities of the State as wei as
the first class cities New-York and Buffalo