The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1893-04-12
GARRETTSvILLE

More ill feeling has been aroused in our viii |
lage during the past three weeks by the action /
of two. or three members of so-called Law /
and Order Society. than has been engendered |
for the past ten years. On the affldavits of
Minister and an Insurance Agent. once well |
known as horse jockey. our two Drug
gists were arrested for selling whisky in viola
lation of our prohibitory ordinance. These two
atlantis knew nothing personally as to the tru tn
of their af1idavit9. although they swore posi-
lively that they were true. relying solely on the
statements OF hired evidence. so-called :" de-
tectives." fellows who were paocured and paid
to induce. if possible, citizens to violate the
law. Druggist F. f. Mott whose reputation
for truth and veracity. honorable and fair deal
ing no one thinks of questioning. was decided
to be guilty by the Mayor, on the testimony of
one Of these hirelings. This fellow testified
that he tried first to get whisky without pre-
scription, ana was refused. He then went to
doctor. lied as to his name and about his pre-
tended sickness, and on cross-examination. ad
mitted that he lied. and succeeded, in getting
prescription. He testified that he did not
know what the prescription called for. or the
quantity. thought it might have been pint,
He got half pint. went back short time after
ward and got another half-pint, without any
questions being asked or without showing any
to show the amount called for in the prescrip.
tion given to Mr.. Mott. it might have been a
gallon as far as the Court knew, and there being
no other evidence adduced. a Court of legal
ability would have dismissed such a case, but
Mr.. Mott wishing to show all the facts. testified
to the fellows attempt to get the whisky with
out the prescription, falling in that he after.
wards produced one. and got his half pint. Mr.,
Mott further positively swore that he never got
any whisky or other intoxicant of him after
that and if he said he did he was an unmiti-
gated liar. While Mr.. Mott could not tell
what in particular he sold on the day in ques
tion. he did know and testify that he did not
violate the ordinance by selling without pre-.
scription to this stranger or any other person,
Yet on the5 unsupported evidence of fellow
hired to induce others to commit crime an ad-
mitted liar by bis own testimony, decision SO
rank that it smelleth afar. was rendered, and
Mr.. Mott was fined $50. The Mayor admitted
to your correspondent that the evidence in the
second case was but little if any stronger than
in the first yet he fined him $75 and costs.
| No greater outrage has been perpetrated in
Garrettsvillc for years, il ever. than these two
decisions, Yet we must not blame the mayor.
for with no practical knowledge of criminal
trials. and seemingly but little knowledge OF
| criminal law, be probably did the best he knew
how; but he has established precedent most
dangerous, for, under this decision, let one man
get mad at another. and he has only to hire one
slum to smirch the character of his opponent
| and the mayor will believe the statement of the
| sium no matter honorable and reliable m ay be
the accused. Nor is this all. after the evidences
was all in and argued by the attordeys, an ad
journment of several days was had before the
decision of the mayor. In the meantime an elec
ton was held in which Mr.. Mott was candi-
date for Councilman. The testimony had beer
. | thoroughly discussed and digested by oul
voters, and Mr.. Mott received a good majority
over all opposition. running several votes ahead
of the average ticket. So as far as public sen
tlment is concerned the so-called decision o
the mayor is of littleif any account.
AS far as Mr.. Williams, the other druggist
case is concerned, his attorney, B. 8. Webb Esq
made statement. which was undisputed at th
time which was. Mr. Williams, who is young
man. not of age. had advised with the mayor a
to what his rights were under the ordinance
and law, in the sale of intoxicants. and wa
advised. as he thought and believed, that h
would have the right to sell to known person
for known medicinal purposes, without pre-
scription. that he had also sold to the Insurance.
Agent and the Minister on these conditions
The Mayor arose and said that he might posi-
bly, have been somewhat to blame for his mis-
Interpretation of the law to young williams
but he fined him $50 and costs. all the same.
If the Law and Order Society is aching t
prosecute violators of the law. we can cite then
to an instance or SO, SO plain and bald that the
need not hire any evidence to secure convic
tion. 1t is possible that they need not go out
side of their own organization to find victim
or two.