The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-10

monstrate; that Burke had plenty OF
money and big pull, and would get q
license In spite OF US.
Another time the witness met McGov-
ern and asked him how Burke was COM
ing on with his license matter. McGovern
said Burke was all right and could get
his license any time he wanted TO say the
word. Subsequent to this witness and
Mcdovern met again and the latter want
ed to know how much the witness would
bet that Burke wouldn't get license.
MIR. Burbank once more interrupted to
say that ne could not 'see the relevancy
of this sort of testimony and General
Wilson endorsed the sentiment heartily.
This brought Chairman Fuller out with a
sarcastic remark as to what Mr.. Wilson'S
position was In the matter.
This drew from General Wilson the
sharp retort that he and his colleagues
were present In as proper relation 10 the
were at least trying 10 do their duty.
There was discussion as TO what Nc
Govern had and had not testified and
finally aft Mr.. Burbank had requested
Mr.. Mccarthy to keep his witness down
TO the subject OF inquiry and not allow
him to tell about ths shops and betting,
Mr.. Young was allowed to proceed with
He repeated the statement that McGov-
ern had asked him how much he would
bet that Burke would not get license
The witness answered that he could not
see how the comm issioners could grant a
license TO one party and refuse 1t TO
another at the same place. In answer to
this McGovern had said he guessed the
Mayor would have good deal to say
about the matter. An election was com
ing on aud Ii would take considera BILE
monev to carry it Tobias Burke, Mccoy
ern added. put large sums into the cam
paign fund and could get anything he
wanted. This money did not come out OF
Burke's pocket the wi ness was told by
McGovern, but from Bowler Brothers for
whom Burke was agent and sold several
car loads of their beer every week. Nc
Govern further said that the other liquor
dealers were jealous of Burke and he re-
lated an instance where James Hanley
see about matter and had been ordered
out OF their office.
Mr.. yoUNo's THREAT.
Thew 1t nessh ad another conversation
with McGovern on the 22 or 23d of No
vember last. They had been attending
political meeting In Freedom hall and
after they came out the witness asked Nc
Govern IL the Burke license had been
granted yet. McGovern said it certainly
had been granted and that he knew all
along that it would be. The witness
again repeated his former statement that
he couldn't see how the comm .ssioners
could grant license to one party and
refuse 1t to another in the face OF
the same remonstrance. However,
he said there was one remedy left and
that was TO go to the Supreme Court and
get an injunction restraining the commits
sioners from issuing the license. The
commissioners hadn't complied with
their own rules, which required that the
place should be thoroughly fitted up be-
fore license was granted and that there
were neither fixtures nor anything else in
the place when this transfer was made.
Do you know when the fixtures were
put ir<2S asked Mr.. Mccarthy.
They were NOT put in until after the
first Of January, 1896, The witness pro-
duced copy Of The NEws of March 10,
1895, containing notice from the license
board to the liquor dealers which he read.
This notice stated tnat no licenses would
be granted after May 1, and requested all
seeking licenses to present their applica-
tions at once. Ii further stated that the
instructions of the previous year respect
ing officers and obstructions to the view
would hold good gave notice that until
comply with these Instructions applica-
tions would not be considered.
Mr.. Mccarthy then had the witness
repeat his statement that there were no
partitions or fixtures in the place until
later than Jan. /, 1896.
Mr.. Wilson said all the commissioners
claimed was that the license was not
granted until after Captain Costine had
reported the condition OF the premises to
be all right.
Mr.. Mccarthy went on to contend that
according to this notice the comm ission-
ers had made rule that a shop must be
fitted up with bar fixtures and everyi hing
else before they would grant license,
and had then in this case of Burke broken
their own rule.
The committee read the notice and Mr..
Burbank said that the only condition i'm
posed was as TO Offices and things that
might obtstruct the view from the pub
streets. II Mr. Mccarthy had read that
notice as a lawyer he would not have
misled the committee had they not read
the notice themselves and seen that ii
referred simply to offices, which word was
quoted, and distractions
Mr.. Mccarthy disclsimed every inten-
tion OF misleading the committee and
then questioned the witnesss as TO the
condition of the premises. The witness
declared that prior TO Jan. ] of the pres
ent year the place was not fitted up for
any kind OF business.
Mr. Waterman wanted TO know IL the
witnesss went into the store to find out.
The answer was that he did not, but that
he locked through the windows and there
were no fixtures Of any kind there.
Chairman. Fuller said he would like to
-LHe~- W het hef-that- notice referred to
fixtures or to Offices and Chairman
Sprague of the board of license commits
sioners said that it meant Offices, as the
board would not permit them In H.
censed place Mr.. Mccarthy wanted Mr..
Sprague TO state whether he.knew of his
own knowledge that the premises were
in condition TO receive license. Mr..
Sprague said he was sure they were, al
though be had never visited the place.
The commissioners relied upon the report
made by Captain Costine.
Mr.. Waterman remarked that Captain
Costine's report stated that the premises
were .. X, and he was told that that
meant that the premises were found TO
conform to the requirements prescribed by
the board.
. The witness remarked, aside, that Co.'S
tine ought to be Investigated, too.
THE SUPREME COURT IN IT.
Mr.. Mccarthy asked the witness: Did
you have any conversation with McGov-
ern about the Supreme Court?
Yes, sir, i did.