The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-18
WAR UPoN BEER IN CONNECTICUT


Norwich, Dec. 17.-On Nov. 5 electors OF
this town voted that in the ensuing year the sale
OF distilled liquors. ale. and agor beer, should
be n criminal offence. The edict was carried by
very small majority. and was chiefly the fruit
OF the abors Of Il few zealous clergymen and tho
speeches Of hired temperance ref0rmers. Since
tho election tho citizens have been divided by
the sharpcst line into two factions one of which
wages bitter and persistent warfare against
the saloon Keepers and the other gives them its
secret approval. At once aftcrth law went into
effect the liquor dealers ostcnsiby abandoned
the sale Of intoxicating liquors. They dccked
their store fronts with flaming placards with
the words No liquors sold here" got rid OF
spirituous goods and extensively advertised
Schcnck and Intoxicating hop beer"
They banded into n cooperative union" and
drew upon their wealthy sympathizcrs for n
fund TO resist tho prosecutions that wcrc fore
Swallowed. The temperance men also leaguod
together They employed twenty or twenty nve
spies TO lounge in disguise about the promises
OF SUSPECTED parties. The blow long anticipated
10y the liquor men fell ono day little over
week ago. City Attorney Ripley and Capt
Whaley Of the Norwich police role for two days
procuring samples Of tho various beers that
were sold ~ nom intOxicuting. In most Of tho
cns"s the saloon Keepers we're on their guard.
ana give the officers samples that were drawn
from n ulH'fcnt Nlnk thNn the ono mat shouted
genuine lager beer for their customers. In ono
or two cnscs the uususpccing dealer furnished
genuine lager. The samples. were. sent to Prot
Silliman OF Now Haven and analysed. They
yielded about five per cent Of alcohol.
Ncnrly eighty liquor dealers were at once ar
rested and bound over for trial. For two days
the largo room Of the City Court was thronged
by saloon keepers. obtaining and giving bail
bonds; Each party gave bonds for his neigh
Dor. Mr.. Thomas Cummings was the first TO
be- tried. multitude OF witnesses were exam
iinGd on each side. among whom were Prof
Silliman, Prof, y. Dana Hayes. state Chem
list Of Massachusetts. and MIR. True Jones.
u prominent brewer Of Boston. The two pro-
lessons differed rndically in the results Of their
analyses. Prof. SillimHn avcrring that his cN-
pcrlments showed five per cent. Of alcohol
while those Of Prof. Hayes yielded less than
four per cont. Prof. Sllliman admitted that all
his experimental knowledge 81 chemistry had
teen derived from books. while that of Prof
HAYES was gained by practical analyses OF
numb"rlcs- varieties Of liquors daily.
This morning Judge Kellogg rendered an
elaborate decision IN tho ease; Inc evidence
showed that Cummings had sold only hop beer
and cider. The Judge held that ii is Of no i'm
port whatsoever what name tho liquor is sold
under. providing in the judgment Of the Court
thr article contains enough alcohol TO cousti-
tute an intoxicating drink. which was shown.
Judge Kellogg found Cummings guilty and
lined him 500 and costs or prosecution. The
defendant appealed 20 the superior Court.
Tho nu-ltcense law in Connecticut il most
eNu'tng. in that II does not permit druggists to
neral sentiment Of the people II that the
passage Of the law was a gross mistake and
outrage Business has been greatly injured
the country people taking their patronage to
other plncos on which the ouus Of no license
does not rest Against the Rev Hugh Mont
Gomery, n Methodist Clergyman. who was ac-
tive in tho passage OF the law. the feeling II
bitter. He il abused in the street. his meetings
are Interrupted bv gangs Of men and boys and
q few nights ago stones were hurled through
his yestry windows while he was preaching.