The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-08-08
NEWS OF NORTH END
Constable Bernard Davies on Unlicensed Sale
Of Liquor.
HIS EXPERIENCE IN The PAST
Four Years Ago the HoteIkeepers of
the North End Formed an Associa-
tion and by Cooperating with Con-
stable Davies Much Good Was Ac-
complished-Mr. Davies Opinion
on the Subjoct-News Notes

A TRIBUNE reporter yesterday called
the attention of Constable Barnard Da-
vies. of the Second ward, 10 the previ-
GUS articles in this department dealing
with the question OF "noles in the
WALL Mr.. Davis was some time ago
one of the most energetic COnstabes in
connection with the suppression of ille.
gal drinking shops and his remarks
will be of interest.
He stated that four years ago the
North End saloon keepers formed an
association from which emanated a re-
quest to him to return all unlicensed
drinking shops in the Second ward.
Furthermore, they promised all legiti-
mate assistance in obtaining reliable
evidence and securing convictions OF
guilty parties. Accompanying this was
their expression that they were anxious
to live up to the letter of the law and
to DO protected in turn by wiping out
tho unlicensed business. MIR. Davis
added:
"rhey did assist me and the result
was that with our joint efforts we Sc
cured conviction in nearly every case
and practically wiped out the holes in
the wall in the Second ward. How
ever nothing WAS done in the adjoin
ing wards and naturally our hotel
keepers became discouraged in having
to fight tho battle alone"
IN UNION THERE IS STRENGTH.
Mr.. Davies said with some emphasis
that he is confident that if the hotel
keepers and the citizens throughout
the city and county would join hands
in the crusade and assist the constables
in one united, effort the days of tho un-
licensed liquor seller would soon be-
| numbered. Revertiug to the proceed
lngs in the Second ward, he added:
"Since the disruption Of this work of
the Hotelkeeper's association have re-
turned several parties, but have had no
assistance or encouragement on the
part of the citizens except at rare inter.
vals an anonymous letter, and in these
cases they have resulted in an expense
to the county and practically encour-
aged other Offenders to be more defiant
when they saw the poor results of the
prosecution | am satisfied that there
are a number of unlicensed places in
this ward, but | have no eviden ce
sufficient to convict. | know what the
law requires me to do and | try to do
it. ! believe if the county would eX-
pend little money ny way Of remun-
Grating constables, say S2j or $50. we
could afford to do some detective work
and be held in some respect by the
public"
In conclusion Mr.. Davis made the
following remarks which are of special
Iimportance:
The plain fact of the matter is,
there are great mpny voters in this
county and some officials who do moi
want crime of this kind suppressed. Il
can he stopped if the citizens want it,
out under existing laws. without as
sistance, the constablvs of this county
will never wipe out this illegal traffic
MORE CARE IS EXERCISED.
Mr.. Davies outspoken words coming
from Il man of his experience ant
knowledge of the question are of great
value. He has in concise sentences re
fl-cted the opinions of many lesdin|
ana respected citizens in the North
Eud Some one must be at fault il
this disgracefu neglect in carrying our
the law. Since the matter has beer
ventilated in THE TRIBUNE an improve
ment has been manifest in some part,
Of Providence, and more care is exer
cised in these vile dens as to person:
who are granted admission.
A prominent citizen of the North
End said to TRIBUNE reporter yeiter
day: MANY prisons are delighted
with THE IRBUNE's espousing tb
movement against holes in.the wall
The Bush and Notch are honeycombeC
with these places. Last Sunday OBJ
served patches Of boys ranging from
10 16 years Of age entering these openl,
and without difficulty and others of tn
same age coming out in drunken con
dition. | am convinced that NOR
seeds Of evil are sown by these place
than by any one other cause.