Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-05-02
THE BEER PROBLEM
Commissioners Hear
ing Yesterday.
HARKINS' QUEER TALK.
Several Licenses Refused at the Meet
ing Last Evening

The Board OF License Commissioners
met yesterday afternoon at 3 o'clock to
hear the remonstrants against granting
licenses to Patrick j. Quinn, Edward
Smith, Edward J. Healey, James Lavslle,
joseph Finn, William Guinness and Peter
Carter.
John +. Harkins OF the Rescue Mission
objected to the granting Of the first four
and Joseph Peacock against the other
three.
There was large crowd present and
just as the Board came into the room a
lively dog fight started between two large
Newfoundlands, which caused stampede.
After the CANNES were parted the Com
missioners began the hearing.
"Brother" Harkins made some very
queer statements during the talk he had
with the Board-statements that he would
not substantiate andlot hers that he said he
could not prove. His conduct and con-
versation were erratic In the extreme and
IL did not seem as though he had any
evidence against the four dealers he was
there to oppose.
II he has he should employ someone to
handle the case as II is very evident that
he has not the necessary ability. His
"breaks" were numerous and the slang he
uses was disgusting. II he has any w.t.
nesses 1t Is hoped, to use his own words,
that he Will "stlffen their back bones" and
get them before the Board.
the first number on the programme was
the case Of Mr. Healey and when 1t was
called Harkins said he would be Obliged
to withdraw his objections to Mr.. Healey
and Mr.. Smith and ask for continuance
OF the cases OF Patrick j. Quinn and
James Lavelle. Circumstances over
which he had no control were the
reasons, he said. The other side had
more money and he could not get his wit
nesses.
"But the time is coming boys" said
Harkins, "when 1t will be serious thing
threatened. They were told their houses
would be burned and that they would be
thrasbed, etc."
Thomas w. Robinson appeared for La.
velle and told Harkins he knew him OF
old. He and his client were ready for
trial.
Mr.. Keenan-Mr. Harkins, didn't some
one make certain promises to you IL you
would withdraw In the cases of Smith
and Healeyf
Harkins-No, sir.
Keenan-Who made those threats you
spoke of
Hsrkins-I don't know.
Keenan-Did you threaten anybody9
Harkins-Yes, did threaten some OF
my witnesses. tcld them II they did not
come would make 1t hot for them. Two
of my witnesses skipped.
Keenan-Were those witnesses paid to
sklp3
Harkins-I guess they were.
Mr.. Robinson asked Mr.. Harkins who
paid them.
Mr.. Harkins-Tom, you might as well
talk to the Rock of Gibralter as to talk to
me. / won't speak to you.
Mr.. Robinson-You talked to mo down
at States prison and was glad to.
Harkins-Yes, did. II ! can get my
witnesses I'll be here Thursday II / am
alive and I'll make good
fight. You have probably never
handled Christian people such as
| am handling now. They don't like to
come here, but think 1 can stiffen up
their back bones and have them here.
I've got to &c ucate them. ! see CLEAN oi
hope to fix Quinn IL | can get a little
time. The witnesses are better than In the
Smith and Healey cases."
Mr.. Jenks-Do you only think you can
get your witnesses here on Wednesday or
Thursday
Harkins-I think can.
Mr.. Rex did not want to continue the
hearing.
Mr.. Robinson-I appear for Mr. Lavelle.
Harkins is the only one who objects and
my client is ready for trial.
Rex-There Is another remonstrance.
Mr.. Robinson--That has been with
drawn.
Mr.. Keenan-Mr. Harkins, what do you
know about this case?
Harkins-I did not say that knew any
thing about this case. Smith and Hesley
are no better than Lavelle and Quinn II
could get at them. / may later. have
spent too much time day and night work
ing up these cases to give up now.
Mr.. Jenks-You have had time enough
and 1t 10 only guess work whether you
will have your witnesses Thursday.
Harkins-It is q little more than guess
work. I'll make a good fight. There
will be fun before the year is out. had
hfty cases, but could not follow them up.
Mr.. Rex-How many witnesses have
you potf
Harkins-I expect eight.
Mr.. Carroll then came in and said he
appeared for Mr.. Quinn.
Mr.. Hsrkins-I think can satisfy the
Board that Quinn is not ut man to have
license.
Mr.. Carroli-Mr. Quinn has his money
invested and wants decision today.
Mr.. Keenan-why have you not got
your witnesses here, Mr.. Hsrkins7
Hsrkins We'll Barney" I could not
get them here.
Keensn-will you give the names Of
your witnessesf
Hsrkins-Yes, In private; not before
this rsbble.