New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-11-17
LIQUOR DEALERS DISCONCERTED.
IMPRISONED FOR VIOLATING THE LAW.
JUDGE CowING's sURPRsE-REFUsING TO ACCEPT
FINES-BAIL FORFEITED.

JUDGE CowING's sURPRIsE-REFUsING TO ACCEP1
FINES-BAIL FORFEITED.
Well-dressed liquor dealers who were under in
dictment but were out on bail crowded Part ii; o.
the Court of General Sessions yesterday. Fifty-fyt
cases of violation of the Excise laws were on the
calendar. Besides the liquor dealers many we'll
known lawyers and prominent politicians were, In
the court room. The first case not finished
before the faces of the liquor sellers and their
friends assumed respondent expression. Assist
ant District Attorney Brady announced that no
calendar must be tried unless plea of guilty was
entered. Judge COwing said that he would grant
no adjOurnments without the consent of the Dis
trCt-Attorney.
Jeremiah A. Murphy jr., of No. % Oliver-st., was
called on to plead to an indictment: His counsel
had consulted Mr.. Brady and was Informed that #
rs his clients offence was his first one he would
aeG acc ling PLEADED guilty Judge C9wng then
light sentences that were net regarded by the
liquor dealers. They were content, he said, to pay
2 small fine and then renew the offence He was
determined hereafter to see that such penalties
were enforced rs would cause the law to be 0beyed
as much rs other laws were. There was no reason
why the Excise law should not be strictly enforced
Hereafter, he concluded, he would not be content
with inflicting fines, but would impose a sentence
Of imprisonment. lie proceeded to sentence
Murphy to thirty days imprisonment The counsel
for the defendant then told of the understanding
with Dir. Brady, and Murphy was allowed to with
draw his plea of guilty and the sentence was re-
yoked. A plea of not guilty was then entered Ex-
in.the courtroom and startled by the severity of
the sentence that was first imposed He said that
his sons license had been applied for and was about
to be issued when he was arrested.
"Billy" McGOry, the keeper Of n notorious
resort in Hcster-st., then called on to plead.
He pleaded not guilty and his trial was ordered,
but Colonel Spencer his counsel read letter from
Professor DOremus. The latter will be witness
for the defence and will attempt to prove the nom
intoxicating quality of the liquors dealt out by
MCGlOry's barkeeper Mr. DOremus being absent
from the city on a lecturing tour the was adj
jOurned with the consent of the Assistant District
Attorney.
James Conway, of No. 1872 Hester-st., pleaded
guilty and was sentenced by Judge COwing to sixty
days Imprisonment in tho city prison and John
Brady, of No. 2l7 MOtt-st., and Joseph ElieTbrOck
of No. IS Delancey-st., who also pleaded guilty
were each sentenced to thirty days imprisonment.
BY the time these sentences were imposed the
of the decision of the Judge had spread to the
corridors and aroused the greatest excitement
among the many friends Of tho liquor dealers gath
cred outside Inside the courtroom the counsel
labored with unusual energy 10 their clients
from imprisonment. Every device was resOrtcd to,
but several convictions had. Tie result of
Judge Cowings action was seen when other cases
were called. Several of the defendants failed to
answer and their bonds declared to DO for
feited Tho Court adjourned with large num-
Der Of cases still on the calendar.
Danie. Strosser, of No. 450 Greenwich-st., VIII
lam Stiner of No. 339 Eighth ST.. and Edward
Burtsell Of No. 2SS Ninth-avc., who pleaded guilty
of selling liquor to minors were sentenced to pay
fines of 80 each.