Bridgeton pioneer., 1891-10-29
THE CLOSE OF COURT.
SENTENCES OF THOSE CON-
-a-5a VICTED. ...
Charles Payne Convicted OF Keep.
Ing II DIsOrderIy House.

Wednesday afternoon. Witness after
witness was examined, and the pro-
ceedings in detail appear in the fol-
loving reports. 3@>
james Downs was the first witness
after noon. Ia answer to theProsecutor
he S lid be was we'll acquainted with
Charles Payne, aud his place OF resi-
dence. He had frequently got beer of
Payne directly, aud paid him for it.
He said he paid the money directly,
never seeing the box heretofore men
toned hut once. He was one of the
party that had procured beer in sill
yer pitcher, and paid for one round of
drinks thai night. Upon this occasion
he paid Charles Payne, and at other
times had seen others, whom he named,
purchase and pay for beer at Payne's
house. He declared be knew nothing
Of club there.
John Simmons said that frequently
he had purchased beer from Payne and
paid for it at the rate of ten cents per
bottle. He paid Payne for beer, di-
rectly at one time. Other times he
left money lying about on the table.
He did this in the presence of Payne.
AT one time he had taken drink of
whiskey from a bottle on the table,
and left ten cents on the table in pay
ment for II. Payne was present in the
room at the time. By Payne's direc-
tion upon one occasion he had placed
money under book. Simmons said
he did not belong to club and knew
nothing of such an organization.
With this witness the state rested it's
case, and Hon. T. w. Trenchard for
| the defendant opened the case for the
defense.
The defendant Charles w. Payne
then took the stand, and was examined
by Mr.. Trenchard. He said that he
lived on Buck street, in Millville. He
| has wife, two daughters, a nephew
and randdaughter in his family. For
the last twelve or fifteen years he has
been interested In politics, and was in
principle Republican, although he
said that he might be termed mug
wump. The defendant was then tell
ing when he had jumped his ticket,
when the Court stopped the question
ing in detail saying that if there was
personal feeling existing as claimed, it
could be determined by asking ques.
tions directly concerning it. He said
that upon three occasions he had
voted his ticket, and engineered hard
feelings with the Austins and James
Downs. He had never crossed swords
with John Simmons. Ever since the
Moyorlity fight two years since there
has been bad blood, and the Austins
and Mr.. Payne did not speak as they
passed by. Mr.. Payne said a club
was organized at his house early in
1889 with about eighteen members,
and the club is still In existence. The
first meeting, as we'll as all subseq lent
meetings were held at his house. The
purpose of the club was to have a
place for political and social gather
Jugs. Payne said that Osmond Nc
Laughlin was elected President of the
club, and he, himself Secretary and
Treasurer. Joseph Hinderhoffer was
elected Janitor. The club rented a
portion of the basement and the din
ing room for 81 per month, and 81 per
month for the janitor. The business
of the club was conducted in this wise.
A bank or box was arranged in which
all members should contribute such
sums as they saw fit and at night it
was to be taken out by Payne and
used for the purchase of beer for the
club. Whenever there was a surplus
the club members had lunch. The
beer was purchased of Betz s. Co.
Philadelphia, until April, 1891 The
| club averaged seven kegs per week.
The beer was racked off into bottles.
Payne sad he had no individual CON
troll over the money contributed by
the members. The beer always came
directed to 20. P. Club, care of
Charles Payne"
The witness declared that he never
sold drop Of intoxicating liquor while
he lived in the ward, and never au-
thorized anybody to do it for him.
Austin, Simmons and Downs had been
at his house two years ago this fall
during the Assembly campaign of 1889.
Payne positively denied selling the
party mentioned by the States wit
ness, any beer, declaring he never &C
cepted one penny for beer drank at
his house. AS far as he knew, every
penny paid for beer, directly or indi-
rectly, went into the box. Payne said
that when formed, the club had adopt
ed rules, which unfortunately had been
destroyed by his granddaughter some