Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-07-09

Sworn Testimony Taken at the
Session, Which Was q Long One.
The effort Of Mr.. August Matthews
to obtain city license to keep a
saloon in his own property at No. 1881
Market street, occupied the attention
of the Council Committee on Petitions
and Remonstrances, at a long session
held last evening, and adverse action
was taken
! one held last week, when the applica-
ton was laid aside until Mr.. Matthews
and others interested could be present
personally. Mr.. Matthews was repre-
scented by Messrs. Howard & Handlan,
and Mr.. Fienler, in opposition, by Gen.
T. S. Riley.
After a general statement OF the
status of the case had been made, five
members of the committee being pres
ent, Mr.. Howard suggested that as
charges of a general nature had been
made by Mr.. Fienler, it was incumbent
upon him to prove them, and not for
! the applicant to show his innocence.
This was accepted by the Committee,
whereupon General Riley read affi-
davits from five persons, bearing upon
the character of the house as it was
conducted by Mr.. Matthews prior to
two years ago. The first two affidavits
both from ladies living in the vicinity,
were to the effect that under Mr. Mat
thews' regime the house was the resort
of improper women, both colored and
white. The third affiant had been en-
ployed in Mr. Matthews family for
two weeks as a nurse, and expressed
her horror at the general situation
She "had no idea there was q saloon
of that character in the city" The
fourth aflant was Ex-Chief OF Police
R. T. McNichol, who recited that he
had warned the proprietor, that his
up in Committee in the spring OF
1892, but had been finally granted by
Council over the head of the Com
mittee. Afiant said he had called
down" the proprietor several times;
that women Of notorious character
frequented the house, and that policy
was written on the premises. The last
affidavit was by Louis Fender, who
testified to the disorderly nature OF the
house, particularly during the last four
years. All the afidavits contained
wealth of details Of the most sensa-
tional nature. The papers were filed,
the defense calling attention to the
facts that the affidavits were ex parte,
and that there had been no notice TO
applicant Of their being taken, and no
opportunity given for cross-examlna-
ton.
A petition in favor of license was
read, and the names of the slgners,
all residents and property owners IN
the immediate vicinity were comment
ed upon and analysed, and then Mr..
Matthews was sworn and was ques-
toned by Mr.. Howard. He testified In
substance: That he owned the prop
erty in question, and had conducted
saloon there for twenty-nine years,
ceasing two years ago; that he had
h1It a
charge that he had stalls in his
house. which charge was false, and the
license was issued; that his family
lived I'D stairs ON the premises; that
his wife had died there, all his child
rem. but one were born there, and
that after his wife's death his daughter
! was his house-keeper until she mar
ried: that the first floor OF the build
ing contained but two rooms, one the
bar room. and the other in the rear,
communicating by large door, Wnlch
was always open; there were no rooms
for men and women; women came INTO
the house for drinks and got them, as
in all Otner SdlOOuS III tuO hNiShSoA
hood; that he wanted the license for
himself and son, and would occupy the
entire house; that he would give the
usual bond, and also any special hono
which might be exacted, and would
guarantee to comply with the ordln-
ances of the city.
Mr.. Matthews was cross-examlned
by General Riley. Witness admitted
that policy had been written upon the
premises, by George Watson, but wit
| ness had no interest in the matter and
received no portion of the profits;
Watson helped work about the bar as
compensation for the privilege. Wit
| ness was questioned at considerable
length as to the character of women
coming there, and his general answers
were to the effect that all classes of
women were his customers, married
women of undoubted respectability as
| well as others, and that beer was pur-
chased there by the family of the OPP
moment of the license. The examina-
a., n-,e q vary long one