The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-29
VIOLATING THE SUNDAYLAW
The Saloon-Keepers Station Sentinels at
Their Back Doors and Keep Open.
Only Four Arrests Made, but Commissioner
Downing Declares that Means Will
Be Found to Enforce the Law.

There was a partial observance of the Sunday
law yesterday, but it was confined to the better
class of saloons with one or two exceptions. 1t
is claimed by the police that they paid particu-
lar attention to their instructions, but found a
difficulty in detecting any violations on account of,
the saloon-keepers being protected by sentines.
At the corner of West and Maryland sire cts
Patrolman Hines managed to secure what he
thought was sufficient evidence to warra Mt the
arrest of William O'Reilly. This occurred early
in the day. O'Reilly gave bond, and had the
distinction Of being the only one of his class TO
suffer in this way.
In the evening James F. johnson, of Frank
lin, came out of saloon near the Union Depot
and, crossing the street TO where merchant po-
liceman Martin Powers stood. complained that q
saloon-keeper had sold him liquor and he wanted
him arrested. AS johnson showed the effects Of
the beverage that cheers and intoxicates, the
officer sent him to the station-house in the patrol
wagon to be held for drunkenness. The saloon
keeper did not keep his victim company, and
johnson says he will stay here until the next
grand jury meets and have his revenge through
an indictment.
& While but one arrest appeared on the slate for
q violation of the Sunday law there were several
for intoxication IF we could only take the
saloon sentinels off the street." said an expert
enced officer, "we would have no trouble in
making arrests; but at our approach the senti-
nes give the warning, and. although there may
be several persons In a saloon, there is nothing
upon which we can make case"
"The trouble is in getting evidence" remarked
another officer. "Some time ago / saw the
liquor sold and drunk after IL o'clock. / made
the arrest and the buyer promised to help the
prosecution. An hour afterwards / saw him on
the street, reeling drunk, and lest should lose
him arrested. The next morning my witness
was fined for his offense, but when we put him
on the stand to testify against the man who sold
him liquor--which at one time saw him drink
he refused to corroborate my testimony But
the saloon-keeper was fined and the usual ap-
peal followed. do not know what became of
the case after it got to the Criminal Court"
I'm regard to the iquor-law," said Police
Commissioner Downing, yesterday, there ia to
be no reading between the lines of what Mr..
Murphy told the patrolmen the other night. II
the oon-keepers seek to outwit us
be adopted that cannot fail to bring them to
terms. Neither Mr.. Murphy nor myself have
any political ends to serve We intend the
force shall serve the people as a whole not the
interest of any particular party. There is to be
no favoritism in arrestne violators of the
alike, and if the officers arrest the small dealers
and let the big ones pass without molestation
they will hear from the board"
AT late hour last night William Lester, bar
keeper for John Huegele, was arrested by Patrol
man Charles Travis. The prisoner gave the re-
oured bond. Sim Coy, who was it is presumed,
ready to supply customers during the day, at
night turned out the gas and closed the blinds.
He for once concluded that discretion is the bet
ter part of valor.