The Liquor Tax Law in New York, A Plea for the Opening of Saloons..

1905. A Scarce Analysis of the Unintended Consequences of an Unpopular New York City Liquor Law Jerome, W[illia]m Travers [1859-1934]. The Liquor Tax Law in New York: A Plea for the Opening of Saloons on Sunday. New York and London: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1905. iii, 77 pp. Disbound sewn pamphlet. Moderate toning, light soiling to exterior, some rubbing to extremities, small perforated library stamp (Library of Congress) to title page, library markings to its verso, another stamp and a bit of card pocket residue to its rear free endpaper. A good copy of a scarce title. $250. * Only edition. A loophole in the New York State Liquor Act of 1896, popularly known as the Raines Law after its principal author, Senator John Raines, allowed saloons to operate on Sundays if they offered food and lodging. Over time, these "Raines law hotels" were used mostly by prostitutes and unmarried couples. In 1905 members of the Anti-Saloon League, known as the Committee of Fourteen, launched a campaign to eliminate the Raines law. Their demands are answered in this pamphlet by Jerome, then New York County District attorney and a sincere opponent of corruption. He argues for the repeal of the Raines law, discusses its unintended consequences, and advocates the passage of a law that would allow saloons to serve on Sundays. The Committee forced several of the "Raines Hotels" to close, but other saloons continued to serve on Sundays legally until the enactment of prohibition. OCLC locates 7 copies, none in law libraries. (Inventory #: 82899)