Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-16
ABOUT CLUBS AND LIQUOR
The Morton Organization Up in the Police
Court
The Manager Declared Guilty of Sell
Ing Liquor Without a License
-TestfmOny offered. ~

cases were called in the Police Court today
for trial. and Lawyers Langston and Kicks
appeared in the cases as counsel for James
Perkins, colored. the clubs manager,
against whom the charges were preferred.
In the gambling case counsel waived an
examination, and the case was sent to the
grand jury.
Prosecuting Attorney Pugh, for the Dis
trict, called the liquor case, and during the
preliminary discussion he said there seems
to be an understanding that clubs have to
have license to sell liquor, but. he added,
the courts have not SO held. In this case.
however, he would contend that there is no
club.
The first witness examined was a white
guest of the colored club. His name was
given as Edward Martin. He wanted a
drink one night after hours, and member
of the club named Mccoy treated him
Dwight Miles, colored barber. testified
that he had been served beer and whisky in
the Morton Club
What club?" the court interrupted.
THE Levi P. Morton Club" responded
counsel.
Are you a member Of that club?" Mr..
Pugh asked.
Yes. sir, 1 guess so
How did you become a member"
Registered at the bar
Did you pay any initiation fee?" the
court asked.
mo, SIR
Martin Mulroe. saloonkeeper. who went
in the club with George Mccoy and the
| witress Martin, testified that he had been
! in the club and had treated friends. Wit
| ress is not a member of the club. He
| treated Mccoy and Mccoy treated him. 1t
was after midnight when he went in the
place.
Henry Niemart the next witness.
He had been in the rooms of the club, had
maid for wi Sl nd
gave his name to a friend in the club room.
Edward Amber. jr, testified that he was
| a member of the old club, but had not
Joined the new one He had bought drinks
| in the club rooms and had remained there
| all night. When he Joined the old club he
paid no initiation fee, nor did he sign the
constitution.
Did you ever pay Mr. Perkins any mon
ey?"
How much?'
Il paid him As cents one night"
Was that for drinks?"
| mo, sir"
what was it for"
Never mind" interrupted Lawyer Kicks.
| Don't answer that question"
| II understand Mr.. Kicks cut the game
| that night" jokingly remarked Mr.. Push.
| Thomas Stewart, coloreG, also gave evil
| dence. He was member of the old club.
| ton.
Precinct Detective Sutton testified that
| he had been in the club number of times.
| The defendant told him that he perkins,
| was general manager and cashier of the
! club.
Witness said he had seen persons not
| members of the club drink in there Among
| them. he said, Arthur Payne, gov
| eminent clerk. Payne asked witness not
| to call him as a witness If he could help IT.
| Mr.. Kicks asked If Payne had not said he
was here under democratic administra-
| ton. and that he might lose his situation
| If ii were known that he was connected
| with the Morton Club. Witness answered
| that Payne had not made such a state
| ment.
! This closed the proof for the District. and
| counsel for the defendant asked that the
| charge be dismissed.
ANY lawyer would ask that" said the
| court.
| This motion was promptly overruled, and
| the court took occasion to make some re-
| marks about the sale of liquor in clul
| rooms. Reference was made to the Press
| Club case, and between that and the cast
| before the court, the judge said there was
| as much difference as there is between day
| and night The judge said he had never
| laid down any rules governing the sale OF
| liquor by clubs, and each case must stand or
| its own footing. 1t took great deal to con-
| vince him that the Press Club was not liable
| but the weight of authorities favored the
| club. The only question involved in this
| class of cases is whether or not sales are
| made. Where man goes into rooms OF
| this kind when he has not become a mem
| mol.ey to it's support, the furnishings OF
| liquor TO him is sale. in violation of law.
! MI. Pugh said that only about two weeks
| ago the court of appeals of New York ex
| pressed similar views upon this question
| and soCn after the Press Club case was dis
| posed of the supreme court of Missouri fol-
| lowed the line of the decision in that the
| Press Club case.
| Il make these remarks" said Mr.. Pugh
| ito congratulate your honor and let you
know that these other courts benefited
| by your decision
| Counsel for Perkins concluded that they
| would make no defense. and asked the
court, in view of the good character of
| their client, to impose light penalty.
Reference was made to other clubs and
| money spent in them, and Judge Miller
| said that he sympathiZed with these WORK
ingmen, who can i'll afford TO spend their
earnings in this way.
| The defendant was held guilty, and the
| court imposed the lowest penalty-$GJ0 or
| ninety days in the workhouse.