Evening star., 1896-10-19
FOR SELLING LIQUOR
Several Cases of the Kind In the
Police Court.

Police Court.
This morning in the Police Court Lawyer
Darlington entertained the audience for
more than an hour in pleading for the lib
erty of an old colored man named John
Butler. whose humble home Is on the COM
mons near 10th and B streets northeast
'-he old man had been complained against
for keeping an alleged ''speak-easy'' for the
accommodation of his neighbors SUNDAYS
when the keepers of licensed saloons are
required to keep their places closed.
Isaac Blake and Charles QualIs, the wit
nesses for the prosecution, appeared on the
stand and gave contradictory testimony.
They said they had been in there and made
purchases of gin and beer. The police fur
nished money and sent them to old Uncle
Joe's" little home, but on this occasion they
were refused.
The officers had in court two demijohns,
one of which contained a pint of gin and
two bottles of beer found on the old mans
premises. Three dozen empty beer bottles
found there were not taken 10 be used In
evidence.
The defendant was put on the stand and
he made d sweeping denial Of the charge.
Counsel during the course of his argu-
ment denounced the conduct of the officers
in furnishing money, and argued that the
charge had been fully met and disproved.
So Tar as he was concerned. he could not
see how the court could deprive the poor
old man of his liberty On such contradictory
evidence.
Here's pint of gin and two bottles OF
beer" said counsel. Go in the houses OF
officers or attorneys, and how much beer
will you find? There is hardly a citizen In
whose mouse you will not find a box of beer
or several bottles Of beer for use by some
member of the family
Judge Kimball spoke of the proof and
said no policeman has the right to put
temptation IN the way Of people and lead
them to violate the law. In this case, how
ever, no such thing had been done. and the
officer is to be commended for his conduct
in the case.
In conclusion the judge said that while
he was morally certain Of the mans guilt
the proof raised legal doubt. and this he
gave the benefit Of to the old man and dis
missed the case.
Another Case.
Alice Suckers. a colored woman who lives
on o street, was called on a charge Of do
ing liquor business without q license.
Mr.. Pugh had sworn in the case the three
colored witnesses whose names had been
presented by the police.
The first witness, a colored man, said he
had been in the penitentiary twice on
charges of stealing. and the court excused
him.
Two others were called. but a. they de-
clared they had never been In Alice's
house, the court dismissed the case.
In the sixth precinct, William Coleman
was arrested yesterday for conducting an
alleged 'speak-easy."
Precinct Detective Hartigan had charge
of the raiding party, and he had a small
amount of whisky and beer in court as evil
dence.
Counsel demanded a Jury trial and the
case went over.
John Newlin's house in Ridge street alley
was raided by Sergt. Dunnigan and a SQUAD
of officers. while the house Of Ellen Doug
lass on Covington street was raided late,
In the day. When their cases were called
in court today their attorneys demanded
jury trials, and the cases were Continued.