Perth Amboy evening news., 1911-01-03
EXCISE CONDITIONS.

We give this letter more promln-
ence than is usual with the com
munications received by the EVEN
ING NEWS because we believe II
should be read by every citizen in
Perth Amboy. We hope it will sci
the people thinking and will be the
means of arousing the citizens OF
this city to actual excise conditions
which confront them.
The EVENING NEWS has had q
great deal to say ON the excise ques-
ton In the past and we expect to
continue harping on the subject until
some needed reforms are brought
about. We believe In talking Perth
Amboy and anything that brings
d%iscredit on the city we will do our
utmost to have abolished or remi-
died. We feel a sense-of shame every
time excise conditions are men
toned outside Perth Amboy, for we
know this city has q decidedly bad
reputation throughout the state. 1t
is a common thing to have this city
referred to as a rum hole.p Stats
tics only help prove the accusation.
We can make no reply.
We wish all the citizens would
show as much interest In these mat
ters as does Mr.. Mulchahey. OF
course, we realize that the writer
of the letter referred to, has him
self been a member of the exise
board and was presiden, that body
SO that he is fully aware Of the con
ditions and knows the difficulties
that confront a member Of that
body when he is trying to do his
duty. The fact that Mr.. Mulchahey
has had this experience makes his
statements all the mor interesting.
We are sure that the people will
be glad to profit by his experience
and any light that he can throw on
the matter will be a valuable assist
ance in the fight to clean up Perth
Amboy in this regard.
There Is no doubt that the great
est hindranee in handling excise af-
fairs Is the mixture with politics.
| We hope that some time, In the not
distant future, q law will be passed
whereby the saloon question will be
eliminated from politics entirely.
As long as the government licenses
these PLACES they will exist. This
1dng SO the selling Of liquor should
be placed on a basis similar TO other
places Of BUSINESS. andn1an Dstfs
granted a license shonid Z
non ft ddFfllg good Behavior, or
as long as he obeys the laws. But
until such times come we must face
conditions as they are and do cur
best to remedy them where needed.
1t is fully admitted that a remedy is
badly needed in Perth Amboy.
MIR. MuIchahey tells of a number
of rumors that he has heard. The
trouble is we are always hearing all
kinds of rumors. Very often the
dishonest men start umor against
those who are doing right In an eff
fort to counterfeit ahy charges that
might be made against those in the
wrong. In these days OF dirty poll
tics 1t is possible, we will regret to
say. to get men to swear to almost
anything as long as they are given
what they want. Another regret
able feature is that even the re-
is~pectable citizen who has direct evil
dence against violators and grafterf
refuse to come forward with the
facts because, as he says, he dislikes
the publicity OF being dragged into
the matter. AS long rs such men
hold such views the crooked work
will go IN, the crooks knowing they
will be protected by the lack Of
courage on the part of the more re.
spectacle element.
One of the rumors Mr.. Mulchahey
has heard is, that not long ago the
editor of the EVENING NEWS was
asked to publish a story that ons OF
more Of the members of the Boart
of Excise had received, or were t.
receive, money for their votes. VIZ
do not hesitate to say that after tn,
Mclaughlin license vas turned dowI
at a recent meeting OF the Board o
<