New-York tribune., 1878-01-21
ANTHONY CoNsTocK Al NEW.CANAAN.
Ms ACCOUNT OF Hts CONDUCT II PROJECTING Tiif
WITNESSES II TIE LIQUOR CAsFS.


WITNESSES - TIE LIQUOR CAsFS.
To the razor Of the TrtbHnc.
SIR: On my return from Boston find my
self tc subject Of comment of the Icasartcst char
ctrr In connection with trials of rII-.llrrs in
stanford Norwalk aud New Canaan. In justice 10 nv
self and more especially the cause represent, desire
YOU TO publish the facts ask this in the spirit o fair
uc3s Many from reading the articles published, viii
THINK have done an unranly act, more have gone
iato other matters Neither. Is true La reference 10
stamford ana Noryya!lt. have had nothing do. and
Meyer heard of the men employed detectives until
today when see them annonneci rs "Authony Com
stocks detectives"
In reference TO New-Cana The simple facts .cse:
yo,r-Canaan IL my native town. some of It's brst
citizens came TO asking Inc 20 recommend some one
~ them 80 capable and reliable, 10 he employed by
them O. enfoice the laws against the sale of liquors
f,rbidden by law. | recommended ]. 4. BrittOn He
took another man with Linn witness. These
two yonng men did their work well, securing
annie evidence 10 convict each Of the parties arrested
Wednesday night the 9th inst. received Telegram
from BrittOn that the mob were threatening his lfe.
and c feared personal violence h uoi been 10 Hew-
Canaan more than a year was worn Ou' from con
slant duty. and desired chmlig" ON the l0'h went
10 E,w-Ganaan with him. Ihe wlthc's produced
overwhelming evidence ot gnit of the men arrested.
Tlsir coansel tor dofendnnt) was terribly chaerncd at
poor success with the witnesses on croAsex xtnlni-
ton The crowd WAS exasperated ! speak oi the
prisoners friends
NoT comes tic point in question, and I call especial
while the Court session, just after lrlton had
left witness stand constable came up and while the
witness was within eight feet Of the justice arrested
him and called the Courts attention toi. The District
Attorney protested that was nlaTiu and In contempt
OF court. This tho supreme moment FOR counsel for
defence He sprang TO his feet, and In loud aud
excited manner, with flying IN air above his
head called on the crowd 10 secure their man. The
Courf paid no respect 10 single word uttered by the
District Attorney or elf said not word to any
officer or citizen protect the witness but hurriedly
gathering up his tAugs, ru+htd out or thc crowd At
the beck aud call council for defence. the crowd
charged over benches aud seats, and with shouts of
"kil hm" hung him - Lynch him!' " throw him
down .re!" etc, sought To get mt the witness.
Two annstahles near by, and yet not one word
said by them (Or any ci'izen) nor single hand
Iuised D. shield these two yOng men IRON personal
violence from angry mob =aid 10 the officer "a
take his prisoner upon the platform aud protect him"
saving che In your custody, let lay hands
him. l sprang the platform between the mob and
tho oflcer and prisoner, and ordered the mob back
saving they had threatened 10 Kill and should
now approach these young men or lay hands upon
them and they should not either 40 long AS was able to
prevent II.
! The above are simple facts BY them ready to
stand fall. The facts 10 yOuched for by the Die
trct Attorney and the decent men present Indeed the
District Attorney approved and WAS KIND Enough To say
that turned the tide and prevented the witnesses
personal violence I have lived TOO long In NewCaaaan
| not to know the roughs who composed tue mob They
very brave when IN crowd but like whipped curs
! when alone. I did what l felt was u sim