The midland journal., 1889-12-20
A Slap in the Face.

Washington. H. B. Moulton made careful
re-examination Of all the facts, and publish
es the following letter embracing them in
last weeks Voice:
''In the matter Of Vice President Morton's
hotel, The Shoreham,' situated at the cor
ner of 18th and H streets In this city, Ger
tain things are incontrovertible facts.
81. Mr.. Morton owns the property.
''2. Mr.. Morton furnished the hotel
throughout.
''3. The hotel has barroom license.
81. 1t has high-art bar called buffet.
50. All and any kinds of liquors aie
served with meals.
"6. The csfe, dining room and drinking
saloon consists of one ing room on the base
ment floor on the H street front. perhaps 40
long by depth Of perhaps so feet. This
long room consists of three parts, formed
by the arches in the construction of the
building. The two eastern portions or sec
lions are fitted up and used for the purpose
of serving meals, the tables being covered
with damask table cloths, plates, csstors,
water. bottles, etc. The western part or
section is fitted up with several uncovered
tables, cigar case, an oyster establishment,
short bar, and buffet for bottles, decan.
ters, etc.
"When first visited this room-I think
about Oct q or 25,-at the time Of the first
report in relation TO it, the buffet was we'll
stocked with glasses, decanters and other
articles indispensable TO the liquor traffic.
But when 1 visited the room short time
thereafter with your correspondent, all OF
the glassware. decanters, ETC., had heen re
moved. This was after it had become nois.
ed abroad about the barroom license.
"You will remember that in the begin.
ming of this controversy no one denied that
it was Mr.. Morton's hotel and enterprise,
and his private secretary in letter sent all
over the country not only conceded that
but denied the existence of bar, and in
deed went so far as to say that the Vice.
President 'had no thought Of permitting
any part of the hotel TO be used as a bar
But since then the existence of a barroom
license and of the bar have been established
The friends of the Vice-President seek to
AVOID the responsibility by placing il on his
manager, Mr.. Keenan,.
"Now the facts IN relation 10 that are
these: have examined our land records.
and find that Mr.. Morton owns the property
and has not leased or rented it to human
being. The hotel is what is commonly
called an apartment house or flats. Mr..
Morton has furnished the house and has
several employees to conduct that business,
among whom is his manager, Mr.. Keenan,,
who has entire charge of the whole building
and all of its apartment, and to whom-or
to one of the clerks in the building-all
persons desiring accommodations apply; and
Messrs. Beall, Brown s. Co. have nothing
more TO do with il than the editor Of The
Voice has.
"Again know, for / have Witnessed it
that the finest brands of liquors are not only
served with meals, but are served in the
western section. or drinking and cigar por-
ton OF the room, without meals, and they
will supply them 10 any gentleman going in
at any hour of the day or night, The wait
ers make no mystery about it. 1t is the
business of that room. haye seen bottles
of liquors furnished gentlemen in that room
without smeals, and l have seen them sit
there and drink it. The walters offered to
supply me with liquor, but being Prohi-
bitionist, l could only ask if I could get
liquors, and they promptly replied in the
affirmative.
SIN the matter of the interview had few
days ago with Mr.. Brown of the firm of
Beale, Brown & Co., in which it is reported
that Mr.. Brown said that Mr.. Morton had
nothing to do with the bar or hotel, except
10 collect his rent, have only to call atten-
tion to what have hereinbefore said, aud
to add that called upon SAID firm lately in
relation TO matter Of business, and after l
had concluded it called Mr.. Beale's at
teniion to the Morton bar. He said they
would not be interviewed, but asserted that
there was no bar at the hotel, but did not
pretend that Mr.. keenan, was anything else,
or bore any relation to said hotel and busi-
ness, other than that of manager for Mr..
Morton.
Snow, Mr.. Editor, 1 have tried 70 cover
the principal points of inquiry in relation TO
this matter, and to explain them fairly; and
you, sir, aud the people who read the Voice,
may rely upon the entire accuracy of what
have stated. No one regrets more than l
that SO distinguished an officer of our Gov
ernment as Mr.. Morton should be party
to the liquor traffic; but wheu he makes such
a selection and choice, the loyal citizenship o
of the Republic should know it.
III. B. MoULToN.
"Washington, D. c. Dec. T."
There is no getting away from
such a careful statement as this.
The Vice. President of the United
States deliberately slaps every tenn
parance organization, from the least
to the greatest, in the face, and takes
his stand firmly on the side of whis-
key-so firmly as to become a yir-
tual retail dealer in the liquor bust
ness. All of the leading Republican