Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1888-11-16
RAID ON LIQUOR DEALERS
yiOlators of the Liquor Law BIado to suf-
fer-City Solicitor Turner Makes a Weak
Attack on the Press.


morning to hear the cases Of various
liquor men accused of violating the liquor
laws Among the audience there was a
large representation of the liquor dealers
of the city Within the rail table had
been especially prepared for the report
ers. The mayor had secured two detec-
tives from Philadelphia 10 work up the
cases, not caring to allow the policemen
to do the work General credit was
awarded the mayor for the excellent work
done
The first case called was Edward o.
Taylor, proprietor of the Delaware House.
He was accused Of selling liquor to
George r. Hoffman, on Sunday, Novem
Der II. Through his counsel, j. Frank
Biggs, Esq. he pleaded guilty and was fined
$50 and costs. The Mayor said this was
the worst place in the city for violating
the Sunday law.
John w. Farra was fined $50 and costs
BE entering q plea of guilty.
Hannah White, the proprietress Of
the Commercial House, No. 107 East
Water street was next arraigned
on two charges, one Of selling liquor
without license, and of keeping a house
Of i'll fame To the first charge she
pleaded not guilty To the second she
RlNN4tQ EulAAN anu WAS illtM NbV anu
costs. On the charge of selling liquor
without license George r. Hoffman ties
titled that he met Mrs. White in the Nov
city Theatre She introduced herself TO
him, and said she kept the place next
door aud had some girls there. She in
vited him to call over, which he subse
quently did. About II 30 p. m. on No.
vember Q, he met Mrs White and her
sister and the three went up to the bar
and called for drinks he paying for IL. A
woman back of the bar waited on them.
Mrs. White denied being the proprietress
Of the place, but the court found differ
emily and fined her $50 and costs.
Four cases We're next presented against
| William Whitcraft for selling without
o license at No, POP East Front street
He was accused Of selling without license
on November s. 9, 10 and II He pleaded
| guilty for the first date and not guilty
for the other three w T. Lyman, ESQ.
appeared for the accused In this case
Hoffman testified to calling at the place
on the dates named and obtaining liquor
each time. He was waited on each time
by the bar tender or Mr.. Briefly, but
never by Mr.. Whitcraft The place bore
the name of Briefly and Whitcraft" on
the outside and Mr. Brieley was exercis-
ing the right Of proprietorship.
Chief or Police Swiggett testified to
being in the place and seeing all the
necessary implements of bar room
there.
Mr. Lyman then raised the point Of
law that nothing could be charged against
his client. That this was a criminal
action and under the law a man is not
responsible for the criminal acts of his
agents. The house was not charged with
the violation. William Whitcraft was
charged and it was necessary for the
state to fasten the crime upon Whitcraft,
and if it did not he could not be fined.
Z The city solicitor held that Whitcraft was
presumed to know everything that was
happening about the place.
The court reserved its decision unit
, Monday morning when argument will b.
heard from Mr.. Lyman. Whitcraft wa.
held in $500 bail until that time
During the hearing of these cases Cit
Solicitor Turner made faint attack upoI
the press that resulted in ignominou
: defeat. Through the kindness Of tn
= court and the mayor q table had beei
arranged for the reporters. The solicito
1 was occupying space all over that portio
: Of the hall allotted him and other mem
bers of the bar while he was examining
witnesses. He did not have enough
S however, and he attempted to push tn
!. reporters table further back To thi
a they objected vigorously Finding tn
power Of the press" too strong tn
I solicitor appealed to the court. He sal
. solemnly:
: May it please the court the reporter
5 are occupying so much space here tina
we have not room to turn around.
Ind Do . -,
tor and counsel will stand up while exam
ing witnesses, as tits customary for at
u torneys to do, he viii find plenty Of room
for himself"
a Mr.. Lyman apologized for not shown
i, a proper respect to the court by nc
a standing, while the city solicitor sui
sided.
William d. Martin, proprietor Of th
!, Dickinson House, N. w. corner of From
- and Walnut streets, pleaded not guilt
y to the charge Of selling without hcens
on November
2 Detective Hoffman testified to purchai
h ing whiskey from Martins bar tende
y He was refused several times afterwar
e by Martin himself. Martin addressed I'll
court and claimed that If his bar tendt
G. sold the stuff it was without his know
1T ledge and against his orders The ecu
re said; we find you guilty, and as W
a have been before ON this charge, IL
a court fines 500 and costs
James NJ. Barton. the proprietor Of Il
I. Novelty Theatre, was charged with Sc
i ling without a license five times. Il
=. "a was asked if he had an attorney. i
q replied that he had not and selecte
y Walter II Hayes, Esq. Mr.. Hayes a
- - eepted, but Mayor Harrington expresse
" a strong indignation that Mr. Hay
should act as counsel for such
place as Barton's after denouncir
it to him. The mayor was
- strong in his foundations that it al
gered Mr.. Hayes, and he said to the cour
MY motives have been impunged
III accepting the position of counsel in th
he case and desire with leave Of the cou
to withdraw" The mayor immediate
IN said: II meant no reflection upon M
no. Hayes whatever and was only surprise
that friend Of mine would defend til
place"
Judge Ball said-''Mr Hayes has pc
- feet right to defend this case, il he
= sires, and his motives should not be que
- toned He stands very high at the 81
~ and no one can cast arefection upon hiT
.. | hope he will not withdraw"
~ Il desire to withdraw, however" sal
81 Mr.. Hayes.
~ Judge Ball-''You are given permissiC
10 to do so.
n n Barton made an effort to obtain coul
n j i