Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-09
APARTING SHOT
Mr.. Fleming Pays Judge White
a Manly Tribute,
AND STARTS FOR EUROPE.
he Claims His Honor Was Deceived
by Designing Persons,
WHO PULLED WOOL OVER HIS EYES.
Certified Checks for $4,000 in Fees for the
Judges Son n. g.,
AND STARTS FOR EUROPE.
WHO PULLED WOOL OVER HIS EYES.
FOB JOHN COULDN'T LAND THE PLUMS

Joseph R. Fleming. the wholesale drug
gist, and Henry Metzger started for Europe
last evening to stay six months or more.
Before leaving Mr.. Fleming consented to
make a statement about the License Court
and attempt to explain why he was refused
q license. Said he to a reporter:
81 am Disguised and discouraged, and am
going to Europe to see if can't recover my
wonted cheerfulness. I have refused all
along to be interviewed for fear might say
something that would prejudice my case;
but now that it is certain no rehearings will
be granted, wish to make a few statements
about my position, by way of comment.
''It makes me feel very badly to have q
legitimate business, that cost me 500, 900 in
advertising to establish, knocked out at
single blow without any reason; but when
see that same trade in the First ward turned
over 10 two
GERMANS AND AN ITALIAN,
men who never spent a dollar in advertis-
ing, can't help but feel that have not
been accorded justice. was born in the
First ward, 60 years ago, and have always
borne a good reputation; yet foreigners can
come in and reap the benefit of my trade by
law. I regard this feature of the trans
action as an outrage, and it is the one thing
above all others that disgusts me and fills
me with desire to get out of the country
for awhile. When foreigners are favored
at the expense of native-born citizens,
surely something is wrong with the ma
chinery of government.
81 want to put Judge White night before
the community. I have nothing against
him, for believe he did his work con-
scientiously, though he is inconsistent in
some particulars. The man who questions
his probity doesn't know him. Judge
White is incorruptible; in fact never saw
a man who is as careful of his honor; but he
has permitted himself to be imposed upon
by politicians and other designing persons.
MIGHT HAVE HAD $4,000.
''Let me give you this incident to illus
trate the honesty of the Judge: His son
John has been my attorney for a long time,
and, with at least 20 other reputable men, 1
put my application for License in his hands.
was willing to pay him 81 900 to secure it
for me, and saw certified checks that he
was to receive if he could carry the applica-
tions to a successful issue. Now, John
White is a poor man, and if his list had
been granted he was sure Of S25, 600 in fees.
IN addition, no possible objection could be
,.Sse5 to the men on his list, and vet not
one of them was granted license. The re-
suit is the son of the Judge didn't get
cent, while the rest of the legal gang roped
in the plums. 1t never occurred to me be-
fore, but am almost led to believe that the
Judge refused me license so that it could
not be said by anyone that he favored his
own sons clients.
"In this connection wish to say that the
Judge is reported in some of the interviews
as saying that often called at his home. If
this is reported correctly, he is mistaken.
We live near each other as neighbors; but
never called on him, for fear he might think
was working him. I should often have
been glad to have called on him, but kept
away for this reason.
SOME oDIoUS COMPARISONS.
at is strange, indeed, that two men who |
have done time should be granted licenses,
while such reputable men as Tom Sheridan,
Vi buC LoObu 11OuSC, AOAu OClduC1 anu ObuGTe,
in the Diamond were refused. 1 am told |
that a well-known city official is partner of |
one of these fellows, and this doubtless ex-
plains his success. In fact, could tell some |
stories have heard about how licenses were |
secured thatwould raise the hair. How much |
truth there is in these stories do not know. |
"It is current talk that certain people |
receive percentages from some saloons. AS |
proof Of this it is cited to me that since |
these saloons got Licenses new set of bar |
keepers. in the interest of the outsiders,
were put in. But Judge White, under |
stand, has nothing to do with this. He was
imposed on, and if the Judge had had any
idea what was going on the names of these /
OF course, what L have said latterly is the
talk / hear from other people.
Judge White declared that he would |
grant no more licenses; but here is Fallon
in the First ward, who 1 understand was
not in the business before. He was de-
feated for Council. During the canvass
saloon keepers who opposed him were
warned, and 1 notice they have lost their /
licenses. But the defeated Councilman got
there just the same.
A CRIME TO ADVERTISE.
sfOne of the points made against me by B.
G. ChristY was that ad dvertised extensively;
but there is a wholesaler on Federal
street, Allegheny, who did the
same thing, is granted license.
] never knew it was crime to advertise be-
fore, and it is surprising to me that the !
newspapers would allow such q blow at
their business to pass unnotlced. 1t is these
facts and inconsistencies that discourage
me. have always conducted a legitimate
business, and complied with the law. 1
built up trade at great expense, and it is
handed over two Germans and an Italian
'sIn conclusion I want to say how got
into the liquor business. Twelve years ago
people were making plenty of money, spec
ulating in liquor. 1t was all the rage and
finally was induced to invest in lot
soon discovered that could not realize the
cost price on it, and 1 kept it for three
years.
WORSE AND WORSE
''Still the prices did not improve, and 1
was forced to ship it to Europe to avoid the
tax, which was fast consuming
any profits there might be in it. At last 1
concluded to sell it in bottles, and, finding
there was money in the plan, continued
it. / imported the finest liquors from
Europe and brought from California the
best wine. I sold both among the best peo-
pie of the two cities, and in every instance
they got superior article. prided myself
On keeping the best. and guaranteed it.
When a man bought from me he could bank
On what claimed for the liquor. But
along comes Judge White, and verify, my
business here is discontinued; but Tor q year
nu1v I bov.a /