The Newtown bee., 1891-08-21

hcnding the course taken by the prose-
cutting agent in his dealing with the liq-
our saloons in Long Hill; especially the
seizures. The reasons were clearly stat
ed in that article and were the echo of
public sentiment in this village. Three
weeks subsequently, correspondent
from this place styling himself "F'' I'M
dertook to refute the writer's position,
charging him with favoring the traffic
and showed a marvellous dexterity at
hitting everything but the object aimed
at. A reply to "Fo was made in the
BEE, calling his attention more particu-
larly to the failure of the prosecution to
stop or even check the traffic and, at the
same time, disclaiming any disapproval
of the methods employed in accordance
with the spirit and purpose of the law.
But that seems to have been not entirely
satisfactory. Last week, another CORES
pondent, calling himself ''Not F." took
up the cudgel, evidently thinking he was
more able to WELD it. That, however, is
a matter of opinion. Now, at the risk of
repetition, let this champion be asked to
show why such methods of dealing with
the saloons as have been practiced here
several years, if ineffective to restrain
the traffic, should not be disapproved.
That they have failed to stop it was clear
ly shown in former articles. Even the
statements of ''F'' and his hacker con-
firm this. They both repeatedly cOncede
that the traffic is still continued here and
instance various cases of its effects; ev-
erybody in the village knows that liquor
is still sold. What sense is there in de-
Tending costly measures which, after
years of trial, have proved useless. Can
mot F. tell us what good toward stop
ping the traffic all those seizures, each of
which cost the town $50 or 800, have
done. 1t is claimed that the liquors were
seized to furnish evidence of sale. The
tiimsipess of that pretence is patent. In
all of the prosecutions made prior to the
appearance of that first article in the
BEE, the cases were ''fixed up" The
defendants were permitted to plead gull
ty to the charge of keeping place where
it is reputed liquors were sold and the
other charges were nolled. Now, what
did they want of such evidence, when
the plea was guilty. 1t was understood
in advance just how much the fine would
be. Cannot ''F' and "Not F" see the
point. Some time ago, a correspondent
of the BEE, probably one of this pair, as
Stunning to speak with authority, said that
the prosecuting official was going to fol-
low these raids on the Long Hill saloons,
one after another, time and again and
compel them to close up. Indeed; is
that official about to make new depart
ure? Is he going to stop fooling and get
right down to business? There is no
doubt that he can stop the traffic if he
wants to and, if he can stop it now, why
did he not stop it two or three years ago?
The question is not difficult to answer.
conviction for the second violation shall
involve fine of $50 and Imprisonment
for 80 days. Now, why has this penalty
been evaded by allowing the parties pros
ecuted, time after time, to plead guilty
to charge that does not involve that
penalty, and nolleing the charges that
do2 Did that course tend to restrain or
to encourage the traffic? That question
may be easily answered. But we are
done with this discussion. The matter
was not started to court controversy, but
to expose and protest against this man.
ner of dealing with the saloons. This is
a matter which concerns the taxpayers
of Trumbull. If money is to be drawn
from the town treasury, every few weeks,
to be put into the hands of certain set
of officials, without any benefit to the
people, they have a right to be heard and
will not be gagged. Why are not the
cases tried before the local magistrates,
according to the usual practice and the
intent of the law? Ii there is ring here,
it is high time it were broken. There
are several justices of the peace in Trum-
bull as competent to act as the briefiess
lawyers of the adjoining towns. While
they could not be made tools, they would
act and do their duty in all legitimate
measures to suppress the traffic.-IL.