Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-08-07
Civil Rights I'm Tats City.
THE CHARGE MADE BY REV. q. H.sshIrH AGAINST Al
AVENUE REsrAURAEr KEEPER


The charge against George W. Bell, the restau.
rant keeper at No 343 Pennsylvania avenue, fol-
violating the criminal section ct the civil rights
act, in refusing to allow Rev. g. H. Smith to eat in
his house, called for trial in the Police Court
this morning. Mr.. C. Carrington appeared for the
defendant and.Mr Irving for the prosecution.
REV. MR. SMITH TELLS HOW HB WAS REFUSED A
MEAI.
Mr.. Smith was called to the stand, and stated
that last Thursday he went to the DEFENDANTS
house, on the Avenue, and asked to be served with
meal. waiter came to him and told him that
sent for the proprietor and repeated his order fol-
meal. The defendant refused1o serve him and
ordered him out of the house. He refused to 90,
at any restaurant, and said his money was as good
as any other mans He then told witness that
there was place across the street to feed -d
'nggers."
On cross-examination BY Mr. Darlington, the
witness stated that he came from Norwich, Conn,
fendant did tell him that 1t Was time to close the
establishment
This closed the evidence for the government
TESTIMONY FOR THE DEFENSE.
young man named Geo II. Martin was called
for the defense, and stated that there was a sep
arate place for entertaining colored people in this
house. On crOss-ex animation he said the colored
people were treattd as well and received the same
food as white people.
Anna d. Martin stated that she was housesaepe.
at the DEFENDANTS house. and the instructions OF
Mr. Bell were to not refuse any colorpd person,
and she never knew OF any colored person to be
refused At the time the cOmnlainant was In the
restaurant he made so much noise that Mr.. Bell
threatened TO call policeman. Mr.. Smith then
said to Mr. Bell: "Il learn you something" and
went out an took the number or the house. Mr..
Bell then rendered the conf claimant his card.
Mr. Henry T. Rivers stated that he was in the
restaurant at the time. and was attracted by the
noise. He heard the color man say you have
refused me on account OF my color
The defendant tOnk the stand and stated that he
oil not refuse the complainant meal because he
was cOlOred, but ordered him away because he
was bOisterOuS and the restaurant was about to
be closed Witness did not make any reply when
ne asked II he was refused because he Was col
Ored, but told him that he could be served across
the street. Mr.. CarrihgtOn here closed his case.
Mr. Irving called David Hnyas. waiter In the
DEFENDANTS restaurant, who said he has received
orders to not serve any colored people in the din
the pantry. Mr.. Smith also stated that he went
by the place afterwards and it Was open for busi-
ness
JUDGE MILLS SAID:
II am not going to waste much tine in giving
my opinion about the case. This is the first case
OF the kind ever brought before this court. There
have been cases before me as q. s. commis-
slonpr, but not cases OF this particular character,
but they never rose to the dignity Of a court.
Mr. Darlington said he had authorities to SUBJ
NIT to the court
Judge Mills said he could not hear the argu-
meDt' to-day, and the Case WAS suspended until
tomorrow. The court said he would hear no
arguments on the facts. but II the c0unsel bad
anything to say about the law he would hear it.
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