New-York tribune., 1895-08-17
EXCISE CASES IN GENERAL SESSIONS.
RECORDER GoFF ACCUSES sALoONKEEPERS OF
CONSPIRACY TO CLOG THE COURSE
OF JISTICE.


CONSPIRACY TO CLOG THE COURSE
OF JUSTICE.
The trials Of the excise cases which were trans
ferred from Special Sessions TO General Sessions
were begun yesterday before Recorder Goff. The
first case called was that of John j. Brock No. $40
West Forty -ninth-st Assistant Dlstrct-Attorney
O'Hare said that ne would produce a policeman who
broke in the door Of Brooks saloon and saw the Ex
else law violated. The policeman saw men present
drinking some kind OF liquid
Recorder Gof called Mr.. O'Hare sharply to
count and said that the DistrctAttorneys evidence
showed that the volator OF law in this was the
policeman and not the saloonheeper. He criticised
Mr.. O'Hare for presenting the case on such fimsy
evidence. The Recorder discharged the defendant.
The next two cases those Of Joseph Keegan.
No. 334 West Forty-seventhst, and Augustus Elder.
No. 80 West Fifty-frs,-st
Policeman Cooper OF the Twenty second Precinct.
testified that ne saw men at the bar drinking some
kind OF liquid he thought was beer. He saw money
passed 10 Keegan by the men. and saw change
turned. The Recorder in his charge said 1t
fair for the jury to infer that the liquid the police
man intoxicating liquid. Frederick b.
House. counsel for the excise defendants. objected
20 this portion OF the charge. and when he was
overruled took exception as grounds for APP
peal
In the case of Elder. Policeman Mcconnell testi-
fed that he looked IN through the transom window
and saw men at the bar drinking He saw money
given 10 Elder and change returned Elder was be-
hind the bar. and when he caught sight OF the po-
Nceman's head thrust through the transom opening
and looking at him he dropped behind the bar.
Policeman Becker post thereabout and tes
titled that he passed the saloon many times during
the time Policeman Mcconnell said the law
being violated and no evidences OF excise vo-
lation. He said the saloon was closed tightly. FL
der was convicted and sentenced TO thirty days in
the penitentary
The Jury In Keegsn's case disagreed.
Mr.. House Informed the Recorder that James
ponnelly of No 40 East Seventy ty-eighthst. wished
% withdraw his plea Of not guilty and plead
guilty" Mr. House said there was considerable
ioubt az 10 there being evidence Of Donneiiys
quit OF selling liquor on sunday. lie aske1 that
the Recorder deal leniently with his client.
Recorder Con said he wished again 10 CAL atten-
ton to the fact that he would show consideration
wheels OF Justice az the salooi keepers apparently
did IN transferring so many cases from Special 70
When the violators of Law So combine" he said,
ut Is time that the officers Of justice should meet
and act together 10 uphold The proper administra-
ton OF justice. II there is any more OF this com
bnation propose 70 call II to the attention OF The
Excise cases shall be tried without delay and
punishment meted out TO the guilty l propose next
week 10 hold court every night until midnight. II
guilty. VIII not ;et them off with hne but shall
order imprisonment. In this particular case there
rome Sr yo e bsY Of n Of
,ntl Monday"
his clients change their pleas OF mot guilty" TO
guilty" OF the uEfairness OF the Re-
corders charge 10 the juries In the Keegan and
George. Kramer. sr., OF No; As second;sve, also