Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-01-26


almost as reported An exception may be made
as TO the wool clause After tight they may
compromise on this by putting coarse wools only
on the Tree list, II they can gain some decided ad
vantage by so doing. They appear, however. to
think that they win not have to make any change
In the bill in this respect
JOHN BROsNAN's LICENSE.
Judge Smell Hears the Testimony I'm the
Case To-day.
The celebrated case OF John Brosnan the saloon
keeper, was called In the Police Court at noon to-
day. Mr. Brosnan was charged with selling liquor
without license. A license was issued to him
and 1t was afterward revoked by advice OF the at
torney OF the District. This is the case to which
tragic interest was added by the sudden death OF
Capt. Backford just after he had an interview with
the Commissioners and when he was on his way
from the Commissioners Office to obtain a paper
which It was claimed would withdraw a signature
from Mr.. Brosnan'S papers and deprive him Of the
necessary majority OF residents in his neighborhood
The license was granted and subsequently revoked,
Mr Riddle having given an opinion that, as fact,
Mr. BrOSnan did not at the time nave the consent
OF the majority OF his neighbors, Notwithstanding
the papers on their face showed that he had. Mr.
BroSnan came into court this morning carrying
under his arm the license issued to him December
8. which ne had handsomely framed. He was ac-
companied by Mr.. Cahtu. bis attorney. Commits
Riddle, attorney for the District The usual pre-
liminary forms were admitted. Mr. Cahil had a
plea OF not guilty entered.
COMMISSIONERS WEBB ON THE STAND.
Mr.. Webb was first called to the stand and, un-
der examination by Mr.. Cahi told the story OF the
issuing OF the license. He told how protest from
Mr.. Reisinger, which stood In the way OF granting
the license, had been destroyed in the assessors
once by Mr.. Relsinger himself, thus leaving the
record clear On the evening or the Sth OF Decem-
Der Mr.. Cahlll called on witness and demanded
that the license be issued. After Mr. CahilIs visit
postponed until 10 O'Clock the next morning to
permit him TO complete papers which he said
would satisfy the commissioners that the license
should be refused. On the following morning Capt
BlackfOrd called and was much excited He asked
for an hour longer. and left the ofce. Capt Black.
ford not returning, the license was issued.
ATTORNEY RIDDLES STATEMENT.
Mr.. Riddle, In an address to the court, admitted
that up to the time OF the issuing OF license, ap-
parently, the law was complied with. While, how.
ever. all conditions Justifying the granting OF the
license, under the statute, were seemingly pres
ent, In fact and N law a very Important condI-
show that the younger ReisinEer had oral or ver.
bal authority to withdraw his fathers name; that
paper was drawn on the evening OF December g.,
name; that It was placed In the hands OF Capt
Blackford, and he repaired with IL to the
Office OF the Commissioners the following morn
ing and asked for an hour In which to perfect the
paper. Meanwhile arrangements were made for
the execution OF power Of attorney by the elder
kelSlnger 10 Ills son. III was executed soon after
10 O'Clock the morning OF the 9th. before Mr..
Walker, notary public, and was ready there for
Capt. Backford TO call Tor It. 1t was whte on the
way there that capt Blackford was smitten with
death He had In his possession the written
statement by the son Withdrawing Mr. Reising-
er's name from Brosnans application, but he had
not the power OF attorney.
TESTIMONY OF HENRY RErsrNGER
Mr.. Henry Reisinger was called by Mr.. Riddle
and testified that on the morning OF the 9th, the
day Capt Blackford died, his father. John G. Rel
singer, told witness about 20 minutes after 9
O'Clock that witness could withdraw his name.
past O'Clock and signed the paper Withdrawing
his fathers name. Then he went with Capt
Blackford to have the power OF attorney drawn.
BlackfOrd went TO the commissioners Office and
told witness when his father had executed the pa
per to bring 1t to his Capt. BlackfOrd's) house
Witness did as told, and went to Capt. Blackfords
house with the paper. He waited there Ior some
lime but as Capt BlackfOrd did not come witness
gave the paper TO Mrs. Blackford to give TO her
retnrn that T way. he saw them carrSinr W Cant ~
BlackfOrd's body into the house. II was then
about nalf past TO- Mr.. Cahill, IN his cross-exam-
nation followed Mr.. ReiSinger over his travels on
the morping OF the 9th In order to fix closely the
exact time OF the different occurrences
OTHER TESTIMONY.
Mr.. John N. Walker, the notary public before
whom the power Of attorney was executed and
Miss Florence Bail, who witnessed Mr.. Reisingeris
signature were also called. Their testimony
showed that the paper was executed about quar-
ter past 10.
Miss BAN, young lady, who wore neat looking
examined by Mr.. Cahlli said she did not hear the
paper read to Mr.. Reisinger; did not see Mr. Refs
signature TO me- said the witness.
"When?" asked Mr.. Cahill
yesterday" said the witness.
The witness wanted TO make further state
menL, but Mr.. Cahill objected very emphatically.
1--WE have particular reasons for It." said Mr.. Ca
hiiL .Ihis lady ana others M have shown @ zeal IN
"You don't know anything about #" said Miss
Ball II haven't shown any zeal at all"
The court let MISS Ban make her statement.
She said she knew what the paper was when she
was called to sign it, and the notary told her that
ness Amanda Burch, signed II under similar Cir
cumstances. This witness Is absent from the
city.
Blackfords house, testified to taking paper from
the pocket of his coat after be was brought home
and she thought was the signed Sy
She thought iG was about haIf-past 10 when the
body was brought to the house.
the paper was brought to Miss Florence Ball in his
presence after Capt Blackford's death by Mamie
Burnett. Miss Ball, he said, was the lady who,
father to Withdraw his signature. This closed
NJ william hE Lowry and aicnael Horan were called
died about l0:10 O'Clock on First street.
near Indiana avenue as he was going north, or
from the Commissioners Offlce.
This closed the testimony and 1t was decided TO
postpone the argument until next Thursday.
The Free Bridge.
10 BIZ OPENED FOR TRAVEL IN THREE WEEKS FROM
DATE If THE WEATHER Is GOOD.
The time for the completion Of the Aqueduct
bridge expired yesterday. but the bridge is not yet
open to the public Col. Hams stated TO q STAR
reporter this morning that the contractor has
promised that with fair weather he viii have the
bridge open for the crossing OF teams In three
weeks. All there Is TO be done Is the laying OF q
few floor.pianks and the erecting OF the through
span across the canal on the north end, and there
IS every reason TO believe that tt will be done
within the time stated, II the weather permits.
There Is at present q high wind sweeping down
the river which renders tt impossible Tor the work.
men TO 20 out on the bridge. II Is possible, OF
course, TO annul the cC ntract on account OF nom
but Col h aims says that such action
would merely delay the work for SIX months or
more, without any good results. He thinks it
cheaper to lot the present contractors 60 on, as
they are now showing great zeal, although there
Interior Department Changes.
The following o1icial changes have been made
In the Department of the Interior: General Land
once appointment, Mrs. Nertic A. Cheeks OF