Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-04-24

The Council Committee on Petitions
and RESPONSIVENESS met last evening TO
consider the application of Miss Angie
Strong for a saloon license at No. 81
Seventeeth street, and, as was antici-
pated, the session was both lively and
interesting. 1t resulted in the unani-
nous rejection Of the application.
The applicant was represented by
counsel while City Solicitor Nesbitt
looked after the interests of the city.
At the outset Mrs. -Strong's petition was
read. She averred she was woman OF
good moral character, and ascribed her
former refusal OF a license to false and
malignant representations. Miss Strong
said she was conducting a restaurant
at the number named, and in addition
to the assurance that her business was
strictly legitimate. she was willing TO
submit to n modification of the bond
she rendered. TO which the usual secur-
tiles asked for by the city were at
tached. Her application was supported
by petition, signed by dozen ana
half Fourth ward taxpayers, asking
that the petition for a license be
granted.
Per contra, there was a remOnstrance,
signed by the managers of the Rescue
Home and others OF the vicinity. The
first witness called was Mr.. c. I.
Blanchard. who was opposed to grant
ing the petition. His evidence was
chiefly relative to the character Of the
house. so far as it could be judged from
circumstances within his knowledge.
He related these circumstances with
considerable detail There was a cross
examination, in the course Of when
witness said he personally knew of no
immoral act having been committed
on the premises. and added, in response
to further questions, that personally ne
knew nothing about the moral character
of applicant. Witness named three
women Of immoral character, however,
whom he had seen on the premises.
Witness said he was not Directing be-
cause OF any grudge, but had always
objected to the house as 1t had been run.
At this point there was a disposition 10
indulge in personalities, which was
squalched.
George Miller. who lives next door 10
No. 81. was next questioned. He told
Of disorder in the house, which kept him
awake. and which sometimes lasted I'M
til three or four o'clock in the morning.
In his opinion the reputation of the
house was bad, and witness once APP
Dli7d TO the police for an abatement OF
the nuisance. On crOss-eXamlnatlon
witness admitted he knew nothing Oh
Miss Strong's personal character, but
the place was Objectionable
lanes McAdams. No. so Sixteenth
street. was next called. He testified
to The general annoyance from the
house. visits by parties in hacks. ETC.
Police officer Allen was called. and
testified 10 the visits Of hacks at hours
when GOOD men are supposed TO sleep,
hut he was not personally acquainted
with apDlicant. and knew nothing OF her
character. His idea Of improperly
only extended to after-dark hacks.
Then the enquiry became personal as
n the applicant. Mr.. Nesbitt asked
her if she was not an inmate OF a mouse
of iH-fame. in washington City, ana
she answered him nay She also de-
MED that she was ever an inmate OF
house of that description, anywhere
She then related at considerable length
her history. saying her sister had edu-
Gated her. and that she had been at
tackled on her sisters account. she
charged Mr.. Blanchard with contrib
uting noticaably TO the disorder, and
averred he had stated he had a couple
OF dozen thousand dollars to spend 10
prevent her getting license. She
thought spite" was at the bottom Of
the opposition to her.
This was the end of the testimony,
and then the attorneys addressed the
Committee and withdrew. On vote
the Committee was unanimous in refus-
ing the application.
Forty-six other applications were rec
commended 10 Council FOR licenses.