The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-02-27
COUNTY JUDGES ASSAILED
Radical Expressions Used at a Green
Ridge Meeting.
VERY GRAVE CHARGES MADE
RcmOnstrances Against the Granting OF
Liquor Licenses to Bc Made from
the Thirteenth Ward-Strong
Words Of Rev. A. +. Chaffee.

ist Episcopal church, Green Ridge, eX-
tremely radical utterances were made
by prominent persons implying that
Judges Archibald, Gunster and Edwards
had shown pronounced disposition to
favor the saloon element in the matter
of granting licenses
The meeting had been called to re-
monstrate against the granting of seven
applications for liquor licenses in the
Thirteenth ward. Last year retail and
| 'bottIsr's license We're granted. Du,
ing the year preceding only one retail
place existed, and before that year there
had not been a licensed drinking place
In the ward for a considerable period.
For years the Green Ridge residents
have demonstrated against the granting
of licenses with partial success.
Last night Rev. w. j. Ford, of the
Green Ridge Baptist church, was
chosen to preside. During the early
part of the meeting some extreme views
We're expressed by the speakers, l.. w.
Peck, A. G. Thompson and Rev. +. A.
Dony, but the real excitement and radi-
cal utterances began with the remarks
of Rev. Amassa f. Chaffee, pastor of
the Asbury church. and continued until
the close. Mr.. Chaifee said in part
What Mr.. Chaffec Said
"If I understand correctly, it lies at
the discretion of the court whether or
granted. If in the past the court has
said You be damned in answer to
weighty remonstrances, it is time they
(he judges be shown up.
Now | propose to put them Ghe
judges in a position where they will be
shown up. They have no right, legally
or morally, to ignore us. ] would sug-
gest that a two-fold remonstrance be
made, one by the men and another by
the women-the wives, daughters and
sisters in the thirteenth ward"
In response to a question by Mr.. Chat
fee, Attorney w. w. Lathrope stated
that he and Attorney r. f. Wells would
present the cmonstrances to court free
was made by A. G. Thompson which
was the signal for other statements Of
a pronounced character.
Il am opposed to wearing out my
shoes in running about after sigma
lures to a remonstrance." said Mr.
Thompson. II have done so in years
past, but what has been the result?
Nothing has come of it because the
judges have completely ignored u.s.
Il was in court last year" said j. NJ
Howell. "and 1 know that the remon-
strances from this ward We're not even
looked at. Licenses were granted i'm
111i n tnly nd in, L.
in other localities and for lesser pro-
tests licenses were refused"
"Those judges are liable to impeach-
ment," exclaimed Mr.. Chaffee, start
ing quickly to his feet "Do you know,
Mr.. Howell, that those remonstrances
were not examined"
Some Harsh Language.
Yes, | do and further, / know that
the Thirteenth ward remonstrances
were the only ones unexamined."
Granted" replied Mr.. Chaffee, "but
even If the judges did make asses Of
themselves last year, that is no sign
that they will be justified in doing so
again. If they do, and refuse to recog-
nize us. Wen see to them afterward.
Somebody then reminded Chairman
FORD. who took no part in the violent
discussion. that in framing the remon-
strances is would be well to have them
carefully worded, whereupon the chair
man appointed Rev. A. +. Chaffee, At
torney Lathrope and j. X. Brady for
that duty.
Mr.. Thompson, who in his speech dis
claimed the efficacy of remonstrance.
was further averse to reading resoIu-
tions which were in his possession.
After some argument he read the reso-
luton which disclaimed the need of
'fensed places in the ward, which reso-
iution, 1t was decided. should be hand I'd
to court along with the remonstrances
Earlier in the evening L. w. Peck
included in his remarks there will be
time when remonstrances will not be
taken to the court house only to be
thrown down and trampled on in con-
tempt Mr.. Dony was of the opinion
that by dropping partisanship and
making an outspoken resistance on per-
sonal grounds the remonstrances could
be made of value. He suggested that if
necessary half-dozen attorneys be en-
gagged in the matter. "The judicial
bench of Lackawanna county should be
made to rattle until its very founda-
tiOn creaks in the swamp" he said.
Many Are Church Members.
Mr. Thompson Said he had the names
of the twelve citizens on each of the
license applications. '"They are men,"
he said, "who are highly respected and
educated and many are church mem
bers in this ward. ! had intended read
ing their names, but am prevented sole
ly by the request of the pastor of this
church,
In the ward there are now three IL
censed places which have applied to
be continued, and four new applica-
tions have been made, as follows; Pres
ent licenses, held by James j. Kelly,
Won Storch avenue, near Green Ridge
street, retailer; John Horn, Dickson
avenue, retailer, and T.. G. Rarrick,
Glen street and Sanderson avenue bot
tier; new retail applications, Martin
Bird, 1872 North Washington avenue; O.
j. Nichol, 1880 Albright avenue, and
Frank Smith, 6l5 Green Ridge street
new bottlers application, Michael Nc
Andrew, Won Storch and Nay Aug ave-
nues.
The meeting was called to order by
w. A. Lathrope, who stated its purpose
and called upon Rev. w. j. Ford to
preside. Mr. Ford announced that dur
ing the proceedings it would not be
appropriate to air religions or political
views. He commented briefly on the
drink evil particularly in the Thirteenth