The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1897-11-12
EXCISE EXCITEMENT.
Renewals Granted to Messrs
Conway and Lowe.


An Interesting Session on Wednesday
Evening-CounciI Chambers Crowded
Commissioners Hear Applicants and Re-
monstrants - Some Personal References
Made = Both Licenses Granted Unani-
meusly-SaIoon For FIagIer Street Re-
fused
Wednesday evening, when Excise Com
missioners Miller, McCollum and Sturgis
took their seats in the council chamber
they were created by an audience of
about hundred of the interested and
curious. Among communications read
were letters from F. Elwood Leonard
and ]. S. Jacqui asking permission to
withdraw their names from the re-
monstrance against the application of
Thomas E. Lowe, presented at the last
meeting.
The new application of Louis Moneca,
for resident wholesale license on Flagler
street, was first taken up. Against it
there was filed remonstrance with six
teen signers. On vote the application
was refused unanimously. Applica-
tions for renewal of A. w. Theiler,
saloon at SO Speedwell avenue, and
Stiner Bros, ~ esale, at 1O-11 Nc
Alpin block were granted.
Interest in the session centered about
the applications of Alfred P. Conway for
renewal of saloon license, and Thos. E.
Lowe for renewal of hotel license; both
laid over at the October meeting. In ac-
cordance with the ruling of the board at
the last meeting, the demonstrators, rep
resented by David F. Barkman, attorney,
filed specific charges against the appli-
cants, charging with selling at illegal
hours and on Sunday, and with keeping
disorderly houses. These the board
ruled out of order as not properly drawn
in view of an opinion lately filed
by the City Counsellor, G. A. Muir, in
which it was stated that complaints
against the holder of license should be
signed by three resident voters; then it
would be the duty of the board to notify
licensee to show cause why his license
should not be declared forfeited and re-
voked. Mr.. Muir also stated that in the
case of wholesale licenses, no advertise
ment of the application was required
and suggested that the board pass an or
dinance requiring same.
Upon the reading of the application OF
Thomas E. Lowe, D. f. Barkman, attor- !
ney for the remonstrants, and Rev. S. z. |
Batten, urged the commissioners to
allow the entering of evidence to prove
the charges made but Chairman Nj
ruled against the taking of evidence,
stating that the board would follow the
opinion of the counsel.
Mr.. Batten was allowed to speak for
the remonstrance. He reiterated the
charges made by the remonstrants a
month ago and stated in addition that
the neighborhood of the saloon had been
markedly quiet during the month that
it was without license, and that persons
were present to testify to that effect. He
said also that the fact had been brought
out that Mr.. Lowe had no hotel register,
which proved that the place was not
necessary as hotel. To these remarks
no reply was made on behalf of Mr.. Low.
Concerning the application of Alfred
P. Conway, Mr.. Batten stated that the
applicant was under indictment by the
last Grand Jury and now awaiting trial
for keeping disorderly house, and this
fact, together with the remonstrance
filed month ago, was sufficient founda-
ton for the presumption that the charg-
es made were true; that the neighbor-
hood of Mr.. Conway's place on Speed
well avenue had been very quiet and
orderly during the month that the place
had been without license. Charles
Stilwell, Jr., appeared as counsel for Mr..
Conway. He denied that presumption
of guilt could be founded upon the in
dictment or remonstrance, and while
admitting that Mr. Conway was indicted
said that he would stand trial and be
proven innocent. He claimed that in
stances had come to bis knowledge where
signatures to the remonstrance had been
obtained under misrepresentation and
that DR.. Vaughn, secretary of the Citi-
zen's League. when 'tpinned down" had
admitted to Mr.. Conway's sister that he
did not know but what the place was
conducted properly, but that he opposed
the application on general principles.
He then presented a petition, signed by
ia voters, asking for the granting of the
license to MIR. Conway. Mr.. Batten
replied again, saying that it at once
impugned the integrity of the Grand
Jury, if when they returned an
Indictment against a man there was no
presumption in favor of his guilt.
There was considerable further discus
sion, but mostly of little Importance.
Once Mr.. Conway ventured to speak for
himself and asked Mr.. Batten if the re-
monstrance against him was filed accord
ing to law, and was replied to by Chair
man Miller that he hardly thought it
was. DR.. Vaughn, whose name had
been used by Mr.. Stillwell, as seen
above, took the floor and refuted the
counsel's statements, saying, 1.-The gen
tleman said that made a statement to
Mr.. Conway's sister. That is untrue.
He also said that l have no knowledge
that this gentleman violated the law.
have knowledge; knowledge that has
been given under oath before the Grand
Jury" Here Mr.. Stillwell admitted
that he might have been mistaken as to
whom the statement was made, but held
that it was said by the Doctor to some
member of Mr.. Conway's family. Other
gentlemen present spoke, including I. R.
Pierson, who mentioned the marked
~ 1,7ci,,oeo fl,a ot,.aof 1,x-