Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-07-18
First Trial Under the New Liquor Law in Alba
ny---Ch arooaling the Iniormer---Considersble

! Excitement.
| From ate At5any Register, July II.
The case of the people, C. D. Williams com
| plainant, against William Landon, for selling
| liquor in violation of the prohibitory statue.
came up before Justice Cole yesterday after
| noon. Sometime previous to the hour of trial
the police court room was filed with spectators.
At the appearance of Mr.. Landon and coun-
| sci they were greeted with cheers and bitter
sneering cries of ssWilliams,' - Carson &c.
The Justice, however, Immediately quelled
the confusion, by ordering the arrest OF any
person making any noise whatever.
The case being called, Messrs. Werner and
De Forest appeared as counsel for complain
ant and John K. Porter, Esq, for defendant.
A lengthy argument Was had upon the OBJ
lection of the defendants counsel, that the
complaint was informal in not setting forth
facts, but simply stating what was the informa-
tion and belief of the complainant.
The defendants counsel claimed that an ac-
cusation had not been brought in legal form,
and therefore the defendant should be dis
charged. Objection aIse made to the want
of specification that the liquor claimed to
have been sold was not imported liquor.
The counsel for complainant, Mr.. Werner,
insisted, in reply, that under the statute it was
only necessary, for the purpose of issuing a
summons, TO compel the attendance of witness
ses, that the complaint alleged upon informa-
tion and belief; and the Justice had recogni-
zed the complaint as sufficient to authorize the
issuing of a summons, and the testimony of
the witnesses had warranted the arrest Of the
defendant.
After elaborate debate. Justice Cole deci-
ded the summons to have been sufficient to
warrant the issue of mandatory process to
compel the attendance, and sustain the pro-
ceedings thus far.
The compliments counsel the n desired to
file a new complaint.
To this the defendants counsel objected.
The Court ruled that the trial should pro-
ceed under the original complaint.
Mr. Werner (complainant's counseD then
stated that he desired time to examine the
law, that he might fully settle in his own mind
whether the new complaint was admissible
If it could not be admitted, he should advise
the staying of farther proceedings as certain
specifications had been omitted in the first
complaint, which he desired to appear in the
complaint, if it was to be carried to the Court
of Appeals.
After consultation, the case was then, by
consent of both parties, put over till Thurs
day afternoon at 3 O'Clock.
The crowd then began to leave the court
room under considerable excitement.
Mr.. G. P. Williams, the complainant, at
tempted to pass out into the street, but as he
reached the head of the stairs, he was seized
by number Of persons and violently hauled
down the stairs upon the platform half way
between the two floors, where he fell or was
prostrated, unable to rise.
His hat was knocked off, and then bag of
powdered charcoal, previously prepared and
brought to the Office, was emptied over him,
covering him from head to foot, penetrating
every seam of his garments, and filling his
ewes ears and hair. He was then assailed by
the ieers and taunts of those who assisted in
or witnessed his treatment with cries of q He
is drunk ss he is drunk The only officer
in attendance made his way to the stairs as
soon as possible, but too late TO secure the ar
rest of any one engaged in the outrage. In
deed, the multitude cried % hundred did it, -
and seemed prepared to defend any one indi-
vidual from the charge.