Bridgeton pioneer., 1894-02-15
ANOTHER CONVICTION.
A Whole AfteruO ON Spent in the
Case. and a Hard Fought Bat
tie Zee suits DisasterOusIy to
mr.. BE fger.


There have been many cases against
persons selling rum illegally dispos ed
OF In this city, but there was never one
fought with more snap and tenacity
than that of the city against Berger,
the South Laurel street druggist. Mr..
VanSyckel announced on Friday
morning that he and his associate, Mr..
Mitchell, had looked into this matter
more carefully than ever before, and
1t was evident that a fighting defense
Yves to be put up.
But the Citiz ems Municipal League
has begun this crusade with no idea
OF failing In their efforts. and they are
strongly fortified. As was mentioned
Friday, Mr.. Sheppard was asso-
ciated with City Solicitor Trenchard.
The crowd was the largest ever at
tending similar hearing In this city.
Every inch of space of the Mayors Of
fee was taken up, and the crowd fairly
blocked the side walk. And this i'm.
mense gathering stood about for four
long hours, while the case, with its
sensational Incidents was pursued.
1t was little past two O'Clock when
Mayor Dubois took his seat. Mr.. Van
Syckel had been asking for him. Just
before the Court commenced, Joseph
Davis the well known witness, came in
the back way, and some of the crowd
jeered. Davis Indignantly called out,
you can laugh all you please" and
then lapsed into silence. Mr.. Van
Sy exile caught the words and ordered
his stenographer to take those words
down plainly, but he could not induce
the city stenographer to do so. as the
Court had not commenced. Mr.. Van
SICKLE made motion that the pro-
ceedipgs be quashed in this case against
Mr.. Berger, charged with violating
section one of ordinance one, because
the said ordinance in Its title, In its en-
actment, and because every part there
of, is contrary to the constitution of
the State of New Jersey, and also be-
cause it was improperly enacted.
Mr.. Trenchard said that he desired
to have the motion over.ruled as ord,-
nances of this character have been
held to be good.
Mr.. VanSyckel said that he wanted
a ruling, and turning to Mr.. Trenchard
said, I'VE may have discovered some
thing you haven't. We are lucky, how
ever, If we have"
The motion was overruled, and the
complaint was read to the defendant,
and again the plea of not guilty was
offered.
City Recorder F. L. Hewitt was call
ed, and read the ordinance from the
original book, and then Mr.. Tren-
chard called Joseph Davis.
Instantly there was a cranipg of
necks and the principal witness took
the stand. II want to make state
ment, Mayor" he said, but he was
stopped by Mr.. Trenchard, who said
"hold on, I prefer to examine you"
Davis then went on with much par
ticularity to testify against Berger.
The exact date he could not swear te.
1t was on Sunday about the last OF
October or the first of November.
hout ro}po or to,, oJoIooh &, <bo ,,,ox~
ing, he went In Berger's drug store
and bought a cigar Of Berger. He
said to the druggist, II wish it was
Monday, so that 1 might 20 to the
hotel and get drink" Berger asked
him how much he wanted, and he re-
piled pint. Berger furnished it to
him and he paid fifty cents for It,
Davis then went outside, met fellow
by the name of Brown. another by the
name of Stevens, and still another by
the name of Jones. The party went
back into a lane and took drink and
then Davis want back and got quart.
This was finished, and along In the
Davis and Brown again
went to Berger's. Brown bought a
quart, and Berger asked Davis If he
did not want some, and Davis said
Brown was buying him some.
Very little Of this testimony was
brought out until after Mr.. VanSyckel
had made manifest objections, and
had them all carefully noted down on
the record.
Mr.. vanSyckel then began a most
and wonderful cross-sxam-
In answer to Mr.. VanSycke.'s
questions Davis said he was thirty
eight years old, and had lived In
about three and one-half
years. From Glassboro he came here,
and from Woodbury. to Glassboro. He
said he was cigar maker.