The evening times., 1896-12-23
FIGHTING THE RENEWALS
Excise Board Hears Charges
Against SalOonkeepers.
FIFTEEN OF THEM IN ALL
Pastor Of Church Enters Protest
Against One Of the Places and Is
Told His DeacOns Are the Best
CustOEers-OtherI Interesting Tes-
tiniOny Given.

The excise board held court today, with
large number of applicants for license
present on summons to show cause why
| their papers should not be dsapprovcd.
Among other saloons against which pro
test was filed was that of Patrick j..
Collins, at No. 800 Fifth street. Mr.. F. r.
Evans OF the Continental Savin gs and Loan
Company, appeared and objected to the
renewal On behalf OF his mothcrin-law, Mrs.
Catharine Wood. OF No. 1913 Fifth street
who said the presence of the saloon is
detrimental to property values, and to the
peace and quiet Of the neighhorhood. The
principal objection was on account on the
congregation OF colored people at the So
loon, who indulge in boisterous conduct.
A Pastor Objects.
A report was made, also by Lieut.. Tee
Pile. officially, by j. H. Mack, No. oil
@ street. and by Rev George W. Lee, Of
the Fifth Baptist Church, against the re-
newal of the license to Adolph Meink-
ing, at No. 507 @ street northwest. 1t
was alleged that Mr Mcinking had been
catering TO trade of the lowest character
of both sexes, and that he kept disor-
derly house.
1t was alleged in Mr.. Meinking's behalf
the part of Mr.. Mack was inspired wholly
by malice, and that while Mr.. Lee, from
his calling, was naturally an enemy Of
the traffic, and was doing his duty in pro-
testing. it was claimed that deacons of bis
church were among his best customers.
Mr.. Shoemaker, attorney for the Anti
Saloon League, contended that the ques-
ton of animus was not to be considered
in, hat hon,
should be given due weight without regaro
to circumstances.
A general denial of the charges was pres
sented in Mr.. Meinking's behalf by Mr.. NJ. 2.
Sullivan, his counsel. 1t was brought out
also that the saloon was located in the
neighborhood prior to the establishment
OF the church there, and that there was a
protest from the people against the placing
of a church edficc in that section.
John O'Brien's Case.
Inspector II. E. Woodward. of the excise
board, reported against John u Bricn, OF
No. IT'S Florida avenue, stating that on
oneoccason the saloon keeper was i'll his bar
in an intoxicated condition and unable to
attend to the bar.
Mr.. Frank Madigan defended Mr.
O'Brien. He said while the saloon keeper
might have been OH that occasion unable to
take charge, his wife was there and COM
petent to attend TO the business.
why, even MIR. Shoemaker" referring
to the Anti-Saloon League attorney, may
go off by himself and take a drink, and no
body know anything about it, was Mr..
Madigan's comment. The trouble is that
Mr.. O. 'Brien on one occasion took too much
and it was found out, but 1t did not inter-
fere with the conduct of his business"
His reference to his friend Shoemaker
caused a ripple of laughter.
An erection bet figured next in the
proceedings. Hugh Harten. n saloon keep
er at No. 1882 & street. and a gold man,
won hat on the issues of the campaign.
When he wanted his hat cashed i'll a
question arose over the price To be paid,
and he and the silver advocate agreed
to play game of cards to decide whether
the tile should cost So or So.
Just as they were about to deal cut
Inspector Woodward dropped ina habit
he has, according to Mr.. Madigan-and
the Incident was officially reported. Mr.. |
Harten insisted that the game had not
been played to a finish, and SO far as
the bet is concerned the contest remains
undecided. The excise board will pass
upon the other issue later, but it is in
ferred from the circumstances that the |
penalty will not be severe.
James A. Geary, of No. 902 First street !
southeast, was accused of keeping a dis |
orderly house, and among other citations |
was the affray in which Frank Dininick |
was stabbed last August His attorney, |
Col. W. P. Wood, denominated the last |
charge as unfair and unjust, and said the |
affray noted did OF occur i'll the saloon |
or near it He pI omised to prepare brief |
for submission to the board, and said he |
would clear his client of the imputations |
against him.
There were fifteen citations to appear. |
the ma jority Of the saloonkeepers in the list |
responding. and several applications were |
held for further inquiry. The charges were |
principally of technical violations.
The session lasted until 2 o'clock.