The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-10-12
THOSE LIQUOR CONVICTIONS
RISE AND EXPLAIN GEN.
TLEMEu.

party for vigorous prosecution of such cases
We thank the Ne,cs for especially parad
ing this prompt work by his party represen'
tative, for the WING finds on the criminal
docket several things that ought to be
publicly explained at this time for his
benefit, and other things OH the same
docket that ought to be explained for the
benefit of previous occupants Of the States
Attorneys Office, but which, not Wishing
to be personal we forbear discussing just
now.
For instance, on the same day Sept. 18th,
bills of Indictment were found against
Henry B. Cordes and Joseph Veazey, OF
North East; Vim. Raglan, druggist of Como
wingo; Florentino Masco, WIN. E. Larue
and Thomas Grail, of Port Deposit, with
other cases.
OF the cases named, Henry B. Cordes was
promptly tried, convicted and sentenced to
nine months in the House of Correction, with
a fine of 800 and costs.
Cordes is Union soldier and generally
votes the Republican ticket and he went
straight up.
Joseph Veazey, who if reports be true,
sold more illicit whiskey in one day than
Cordes did in month, was more fortunate
than his fellow townsman for when he
(Veazey) heard of Cordes' conviction, he
exclaimed in Il loud voice, Great God! il
Cordcs gets the House of Correction, |
reckon they'll hang me, - or words to that
effect.
But "innutnce" saved Eeazcy from a
jury bent on convictions.
He was indicted on Sept. 18th. His trial
was delayed from day to day, and finally
on Sept. Both, an affidavit was filed by his
counsel, that two material witnesses,
Challcs Pierce and Charles L. Biddlc. could
not be found and were possibly out of the
State" and his case was continued to the
December term.
Four facts are noticeable in this case.
1) That Ncazey is a political supper |
of the CrotherS faction. l2) That he II d
violated the law mole openly and oftenrI
than Cordes go That if Pierce and b.
die had been present they would have been
better witnesses for the State than for ,he
defendant tIl That hoth Of them were
at their homes in North East, whet e.
turned "non est and conld have hrr
produced in court ii wanted.
In the Port Deposit cases, Larue W..
promptly convicted, fined 500 and costs
and sent to the House OF Correction f.,
nine months.
He is colored man, and generally va;
the Republican ticket His fate was Ger
tain of course.
Florentno Masco was indicted upon y
actly the same testimony Of the same witness
as I.arue, F. p. Diamio Pinkerton detec
tive. When Masco's case was called hi!
counsel pressed for trial, but the State
Attorney insisted he was not ready, ant
proposed to 'stet' the case. TO thi,
Masco's counsel objected. because upon j.;
'stet," the case could be called up again
Finally after some parley between III,
counsel the State entered mol pros,
which was an abandonment OF the case by
the State.
Masco, we are Informed, is Il naturalized
Italian is influential, generally votes Dem
ocratic, and some of his Democratic hackers
in Baltimore vowed dire vengeance at the
polls if he was tried and convicted.
Thomas Grail was not as fortunate as
Masco. He too was indicted solely upon
the testimony of the detective. The attor-
ney for the State continued his case to the
December term.
Grail is an outspoken Democrat and
never votes any other ticket.
But of all these cases that have inside
histories, William A. Ragan's is the most
noticeable. He keeps a drug store at
Conowingo, in this county; he is repu-
able man and respected as law-abiding
Cl'lHcE, IL SeHcldliN eStetHleu, anu its
scrupulously careful not to violate the law
as any druggist in the county.
In September, Diamio, the detective, went
to Conowingo, and obtaining a prescription
from DR.. David Raglan, brother Of the
druggist, for pint of whiskey, presented
it to William A. Raglan, to be filled. The
detective said to him when receiving the
whiskey, that pint was more than he
wanted at the time, and he took a half
pint, saying he would get the balance
again. Damio returned to Philadelphia,
and was afterward instructed to come back
to Conowingo and get the remaining half.
pint sold him on the prescription, the
States Attorney fearing he could not con-
Wet Raglan unless two deliveries on one
prescription were proved. Diamio did
return later and got the remaining half
pint. On this sale Ragan was promptly
convicted by the Court mot by jury the
Court holding as provided by the law "no
prescription shall serve for more than one
purchase" Raglan was sentenced to pay
$500 on this sale, or failing this payment
| to 90 the House of Correction for six
months. He paid his fine promptly within
fifteen minutes of his conviction.