The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-05-07
ENTERPRISING MERCHANTS.
Interesting Trial of Raphael for
Obstructing the Sidewalk.
Policemen Tell Of the Magnificent, Gorgeous
Display in the Show Window Of
Popular Merchants.

OIedt was the interest taken among the
spectators in Department 2 of the Police
Court yesterday afternoon during the trial
OIL j. w. Raphael, the popular merchant,
charged with causing Kearny street to be
obstructed. The specific charge against
him was causing the street to be INSTRUCTED
In front OF Raphaeps immense clothing and
gents furnishing emporium at 9, II. 10 and
10 Kearny street. 1t took some time to
select jury OF twelve citizens to try the
case. after which tho Prosecuting Attorney
told how he expected to convict the defend
ant under section $40 Of the Penal Code
we expect to prove" said he, tina t
the DEFENDANTS one of the firm of RaDhaeps,
pToprletors OF cl0thing-store; that on
March 10th last the firm gave an elaborate,
gorgeous exhibition in their show-windOws :;
that this exhibition caused large crowd to
assemble on the sidewalk in front of 8. IL,
Is and 10 kearny street, and that the spec
tatofs remained there long while and
obstructed the free use of the sidewalk"
Police Officer j. j. Burnett related the
circumstances of Mr.. RaphaePs arrest.
''On the night of March 10. at 6;15 O'CLOCK"
he said, Il saw large crowd assembled in
front OF the store, watching performance
in show-window. The window was fitted
up rs drawing-room, and man sat there
In full dress. lie was visited by many per-
sons, who came in various costumes. AT
that time the sidewalk was passabe for
about three feet along the outer edge. L
stepped in and told Mr.. Wolf, the manager,
that lie ought to do something TO stop the
obstruction Of the sidewalk. He said the
firm was merely displaying ffteen-dollar
suits. At 1880 O'Clock the crowd completely
blocked the sidewalk. L spoke to j. w.
Raphael about il, and he said he was merely
displaying bis goods.
A GREAT CROWD.
- daA 6a eli liz hot
people passing had to walk into the street.
Several drivers OF vehicles also pulled up TO
watch the windows, and there was tre-
mendOus jam. AT s % o'clock placed Mr..
Raphael under arrest"
Cross-examined by George a. Knight, at
torney for the defendant, Burnett denied
that he bad gone to see any of RaphaePs
disgruntled rivals before he made the ar
rest.
"Was any member Of the firm of Ra-
phaePs or anybody connected with them
upOn the sidewalk 2" was asked.
"Nn, sir"
WAS everything that happened in the
show-window
Yes, sir"
"Supposing the window-sbade had been
pulled down and this same crowd had been
there. what would you have doneW
81 don't know. | think L would have
cleared the people from the sidewalk"
ut was the people outside who obstructed
the sidewalk, was it not"'
'Why, suppose So"
"Was there a larger crowd than that
which assemblies to buy tickets for Patti
concerto"
~ don't know"
WAS there breach of the peace or any
riots?"
Everything was very peaceable and or
Derry"
Did you tell any of the spectators to
eyes, and they did So"
IF SEQ persons collected around a dog
fight would you arrest the d0gs?'
The officers answer was drowned by
roar OF laughter.
Sergeant George Whitman told about the
biz crowds IN front of RaphaePs. and said
it would have taken several policemen to
have kept the sidewalk clear.
NEAT AND ATTRACTIVE.
"Tbe performance in the window" said
he, with enthusiasm, was very neat and
attractive, and would have made any one
stop to look"
When erOss-examned Whitman said that
none Of the Raphaels nor any one connected
with the firm was upon the sidewalk.
did Raphael have any hypnotic power TO
hold the crowds?"
Not that know Of"
The case was then submitted. and knight
made brief argument to show that in dis
playing their goods the members of the en-
terprising firm had in no way violated the
law. Under such q theory as that upon
which the defendant was being prosecuted
Joe Jefferson or Patti could be arrested
when a crowd assembled in front OF u thea
ter where they were performing.
This prosecution" concluded Mr.
Knight, sis the result OF business COMPETE
ton. Instead Of the old wax figures we
give you live men, instead of dummies we
have live business men,"
Judge Love instructed the jurors, virtually
telling them the defendant was guilty for
making a display that attracted crowds
After being out an hour and a half The jury
returned verdict of guilty, and the court
said he would impose sentence at 10 o'clock
this morning