New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-30
HOME RULE FOR CITY DISTRICTS.
Anti-Saloon League Urges Advantages Of Its
Proposed Bill

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR. Much is being said these days on the sub
Jet Of homo rule FOR New-York CITY, but Just WnA'
10 meant r. not wholly clear though II seems 10 Be
"A demand FOR more liberal laws and a LIBERAL. which
evidently means loose and Indifferent. enforcement
OF such laws. This appears TO be the interpTeta-
ton that f. put upon much that Is being SAID on
this question. Nost people. except such as aTs bent
ON sro,Edoinr or are misguided IN some other
way are In doubt 10 the beneficial results OF
this manner OF dealing with questions which must
AFFECT largely not only tho moral and social IKE
Of the city but also It's financial interests, and
appears 20 be rather backward step. giving
way % forces that make for disorder and the de-
Ft~ucton OF the foundations OF security and safety
both Of life and property.
Eut there is A phase OF the subject OF home rule
for Nev-York and all other cities IN the State to
which I wish % call tho attention OF your readers
IN connection with the excise question presented
by the Ne7-Yorl State Anti-Saloon League. II Is
perhaps not generally known that the Raines law
gives towns the privileges OF saying whether tho
Vguor traffic shall shall not be. while IN the
cities no such privilege Is granted. which means.
Of course that no matter how much the residents
OF any district IN the city may desire to be free
from the saloon. they must submit TO It's pres
erce This has Always seemed unfair way OF
dealing with cities though its electors were not
enable Of Judging I'm this matter-a kind OF class
legislation which American citizens hate
and f. not faithful 20 the principles OF true
dsmoc-ary.
ure At Albany a bu which extends tho privilege
OF prohibiting the beverage sale OF liquors 10 cleo
lion districts en- every city I'm the Sale. ms
measure. which is known as the AIloier III,
provides that there shall be vote on the question
gt tho next general election only one proposition
being submitted to the electors not four PROPOSE
tIous. as AT present submitted IN the towns
corporation associations. copartnerehlps or persons
he prohibited from the traffic In liquors as DeNeI
age In District No. -. ,.,-.
In "a majority vote Yes" IN any election district
then the beverage traffic IN liquors or every klnd
must cease I'm that district upon May following
voted No then tho traffic viii 90 on as pcIoies
hut the question may in any case be submitted az
zach subsequent general election n 10 per cent OF
tho voters Of any district petition
Every fair minded man must admit that TINS -
most iust and reasonable method Of dealing with
this question. II is simply saying that blStrict
No Is may prohibit the granting az licenses n us
voters SO elect. while District No. u continue
the business n majority are willing o,
N thus seeking FOR such legislation As shall give
cities well as towns the right to be heard on
This question we are that this measure ought
TO meet with general favor and that Il VIII pass
both houses Is certain n the leading journals or
/ our cities. such The Tribune, which always
moral and social life OF our people, take the
[ question up and make II one Of the issues Of the
day urging the approval OF such progressive move
I meut this upon the men whose office II Is 70
Nav / also request the who read The
Tribune that they write 10 members or the SEN
I ate and Assembly for their district calling their
attention to the proposed bill. urging them to give
/ fl their hearty support thus making them know
that the best people in the State asking for
this advanced legislation on the saloon question?
I NJ. IT. FISHBURN.
Richmond HnI y. Y. March q. 1904