Raines law Raines law The Raines law, authored by John Raines, was passed on March 23, 1896, by the New York State Legislature. It was nominally a liquor tax, but its intention was to curb the consumption of alcohol by imposing regulations. Among other provisions, it prohibited the sale of alcoholic beverages on Sunday except in hotels. Most men worked a six-day week, and Sunday was the only full day for drinking at saloons. Under the law, however, hotels were allowed to serve liquor on Sunday, to guests only, if it was served during a meal or in the bedrooms of the
John Raines Raines set up a law practice in Geneva, New York. During the American Civil War, Raines formed and served as captain of Company G, 85th New York Volunteer Infantry and served in both the Army of the Potomac and the Army of North Carolina. He was a member of the New York State Assembly (Ontario Co.) in 1881, 1882 and 1885; and of the New York State Senate (28th D.) from 1886 to 1889, sitting in the 109th, 110th, 111th and 112th New York State Legislatures. In addition he was President of the Board of Education for the Canandaigua school