The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-08
How the Attempted Suppression Of the Liquor
Traffic Works Down East
SERIOUS AND FUNNY EPISODES.
Tricks Adopted to EVade
the New Law.
THE GOOD 1T DOES.

this morning. and with chatterins teeth. begged for
glass of brandy. The remarks of the shiverng travel
Ter. as he went OIL to his bed not exactly fitted
for cars polite. Such scenes have been Of common oc
currence In this lively little town during the past
month-that is since the introduction of the prohibit
tory Liquor law. Under the Local Option act the
people of New London at the last election, voted to
grant licenses to sell Intoxicating liquors during
the ensuing year. As the old licenses expired on the
LIST of November the new system has now been in
operation than month. and pretty fair view
of it's effects can BIO obtained The temperance people
have kept strict watch upon the liquor dealers and
have commenced several prosecutions, but in
thus far has penalty been imposed the defendants
have severay appealed to the higher State courts.
where the questions still pending. Two saloons
which formerly were among the most lively in the
place have closed their DOORS but myriad others in
some mysterious way appear to still thrive. The
ctys income reduced about SIS by the stoppage
ofthe licenses but the traffic has assuredy not ceased
Strangers certainly cannot get liquor but the way in
which drinking residents obtain their favoritc bev-
erages may be gathered from what follows.
PERIpATErIc BALLROOM
Watch these two walking down the street.
They stop to speak to rough looking fellow who
wears big, heavy overcoat. rapid glance up and
down the horoughfare them that the coast is
pocket of the big coat the fellow produces a fiat
bottle and o small glass and hands them to the two
pedestrians Then he stands in front of them spread
ing his big coat ont either SIDE to hide them
from the view OF any passer-by. There is gluggty-
glug-glugl behind this living screen for moment,
the bottle and glass are returned to their hiding
place. little financial transaction takes place. the
two pedestrians 80 their way rejoicing and the
perambulatory bar is closed until another thirsty
wayfarer chances along.
TAINTED BREATH DANGEROUS
The authorities know that this sort Of thing done
and they exert themselves to catch the Offenders In
the town of Norwich, where the traffic in liquor was
abolished long since. there is more sold from
these pocket pistols than in New London. 1t is not
safe for man whose breath is tainted with strong
drink to inquire his way from policeman or a zeal
Gus liquor abolitionist. As soon such person
catches Whit of the hated beverage he proceeds to
search the pockets Of the inquirer and, should flask
be found it is at confscated and the offender if
ne be one who is suspected of selling rum, is locked
up and duly arragned and fined. 'sThe reputation
clause in the law permits the authorities to search
the premises of any upon affidavit of
three citizens being made to the effect that they
pect the presence Of liquor therein. Any intoxcat-
ing drink found in such q search is Mt once confs-
Gated The result of this is rather funny. OF
who is known to the proprietors cannot get
drink. But for fear of such search indicated
they afraid to keep any considerable quantity on
hand and where they used to have it in barrels they
content themselves with bottles. 1t is said that
the temperance people pay spy regular salary of $l2
week to scent out where rum is kept; and conse-
quently the dealers are very cautious. stranger
who enters barroom is assured that nothing is sold
there but soda water and Schenck beer beverage
said to be not intoxicating and which is exempted
from the operation of the law.
EFFECT OF WINK.
II the customer orders Schenck beer with wink
he is served with a foaning beverage which would
pass in New York under the OF lager. But that
IL the strongest drink the unknown tippler OBJ
tain. Now let one who Is known enter He at once
passes into the back room. There ho probably finds
few kindred souls around table, The door is
carefully fastened, and from cupboard the proprie
glasses. and then the guests in the sweet enjoyment
Of stolen fruit" gup down with satisfaction such
were offered openly over counter.
BOTTLES AND DEMIJoHNs.
1t is the general opinion that there is really
liquor consumed in the town now than there was
before the introduction Of the law The sale of
nat bottles in town is something wonderful, and in
dicates that the jolly old fellow who used to drop
into barroom now carries
A little bottle by his side
To drink when he's adry.
The druggists, too are doing an unprecedented
business in patent medicines of the kind known as
"bitters" and 'schnapps' and ..tonics mostly
compounded or the poorest whiskey, disguised with
navoring extracts. 1t would that in proportion
the sale of black bottles increases the demand for
larger receptacles decreases. How much am Of
fered for tY cried the auctioneer ut u sale in the
public square to-day as he held up fine big demi-
John, with two wicker handles. The crowd which
mad been bidding with spirit for other articles at
once became silent They eyed the article-which
would probably hold four five gallons-with sort
OF mournful. pensive interest. as one might gaze
upon q memento of some haf-forgotten love of his
youth. Not "a bidl What's the good of it2" NUT
tered bystander; I'VE amt got nuthn to put into
IT. After much persuasion weak minded man
induced to tako It for ten cents. as receptacle he
said for vinegar.
NEW CLUB ROOMS
The young fellows about town, however drink
probably more than they did before and this is
how they do it:-some OF the men who found their
hesitation transformed their establishments into
''club rooms This easily done. 1t was merely
the matter Of sticking out u new sign and locking
the front door, Then each OF the patrons upon paw.
ment of n fixed surn-ranging from ten cents 10 81
IN different instances--was declared member of
the club, supplied with key to the door and
thus found himself in better situation than ever to
get drunk as he was guaranteed greater privacy and
the society OF his own associates,
In all OF these ways there liz No much liquor con
sumed that many who voted against the license sys-
tom now regret their action, and there ia pretty
general impression that ut the next election the
majority will vote in favor of permitting licenses
again. The sentiment here seems to be more liberal
than at Norwich so strictly has the traffic been
guarded against In tho latter town that many whose
interests were in that business have sold their
property and removed to other sections where the
prejudice against their calling is not strong.
Several of these have gone far away as Kansas.
NOTABLE PROSECUTION.
One resident of Norwich who Is worth several hun
dred thousands OF dollars undertook to continue the
sale Of liquor In two saloons which he managed. He
owned and drove fast horses and was always on the
road with them. One of his barkeepers after
another was arrested and punished. but the propric
tor filled their places aud continued the traffic. lie
yibratcd continually between the Two saloons be.
hind thoroughbred animal and all efforts to catch
nun proved for time unavailing One day hc found
the road before him blocked 10y line of policemen
20 stand with their uplifcd clubs. He WAS Obliged
20 step down and out anu walk to the court, whilo
his carriage was driven on to tho police station
Forty Thousand dollars bail offered. but de-
clinc anu he was tried, fined and sentenced to six
months Imprisonment.
TIE GOOD SIDE LAW.
Ihcrc are or course two sides to the question and
one or them IL, perhaps. exhibited In the records of
police OF this town for the month during which the
Prohibitory law has been in operation. The ..force'
c0nsists OF captain, sergeant and five patroncn.