The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1895-06-28
COnstableS Tried at Charles
ton and sentenced to
imprisonment.

ton and sentenced to
imprisonment.
Charleston, June 21.-Constables
S. G. Lafar, R. NJ. Wright and j..
N. Clanton have been ordered by
His Homer, Judge Simonton, to 60
to Jail and there to spend their sum-
mer vacation for having wi.fully dis
regarded and disobeyed the courts
order enjoining them from seizing
and con6scating liquor imported in
to the State for personal consumption.
They received their sentence with
perfect composure. A larger crowd
was present than on yes tcrday and
much interest manifested.
The first case taken up was that
broughtby Messrs. Mordecai and Cad
sen against big batch of constables,
the following complainants: II.
X. Mcintosh, f. Z. Givens, Adair,
n. P. Hayne, and p. E. Truche.
The Assistant Attorney General
contended that it was unreasonable
to suppose that these five men would
order out for personal consumption
over $500 worth ofliquor at one time
and that the appearances" which,
by the way, are the only means the
constables have of arriving at con-
clusions whether liquor is for person
al use or for sale, were such as to
lead the constables to exercise their
authority invested by the dispen sary
law.
This view of the case was combat
ted by Mr.. Gadsen, who held that
his clients were reputable citizens,
men whose affidavits should be taken
without question, and when they had
sworn that the liquor was for. their
use their oaths should be accepted.
Il was more advantageous to these
gentlemen to buy liquor In large guam
titles as it could be purchased much
cheaper. These lines OF argument
were pursued with slight notifications
in all the cases.
Mr.. Benz. A. Hagood pre- scnted
to the court tie case OF julius III.
Walker and most forcibly argued that
Constable S. G.. Lafar be punished
for seizing the six gallons Of whis--
key. "when all appearances" he said,
showed that it was not fer sale"
After various cases had been heard
Judge Simonton said: 81 wish to
state emphatically in the presence of
all in this room that l do not intend
the orders of this court to be used as
cloak for any violations of the dis
pensary law. The constables must
act within their prescribed limits and
not transgrcss them. If they have
sufficient evidence that certain liquors
are being imported for sale they should
Immediately seize them. and have
promised them that this court will
not intervene, but where they have
not that proof they must keep their
hands off the goods, for by scizing
such liquors they are acting in dis
obedience and defnance of the courts
orders. now dismiss the case against
Constable Addison for scizing the
liquor consigned to George Smyrl of
Camden, as there were some evidences
that he was engaged in the barroom
business.
II sentence Constable Clanton to
one month in the Charleston county
jail, and Constable Lafar and Wright
to two months in the Richland ana
Anderson county .jails respectively,
there to remain until the liquor shall
have been returned. The evidence
in these cases certainly showed that
the constables have acted without
justification. The other cases heard
| shall take under consideration"
In the course Of his remarks the
judge spoke very favorably Cf the
manner in which Chief lIollcy is dis
charging his duties.