The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-07
SALOON DOORS SHUT TIGHT.
SUNDAY DRY DAY FOR MANY
THIRSTY PEOPLE.

Police and Provost Guard Combined
TO Keep the Day Free From
Open BarrOom RaIded and the Pro-
prietOr Arrested-Greedy saloon
Men Responsible for the Closing.
Through the efforts OF the police and
the provost guard. a majority Of the sa-
looms in Savannah were closed yesterday
for the first time in months. People with
dry throats wandered the streets, hoping
to find an open door, but the chagrin was
no more to them than the saloon keepers,
some of whom considered themselves
"ruthlessly deprived Of a good thing"
Maj Russell b. Harrison, provost mar
shall. consulted Chief McDermott Satur-
day with reference to the closing of sa-
looms on Sunday. and the result is close
watch will be kept by the police for yio-
lators Of this class in the future. The de-
tachment of police which left the bar
racks at O'Clock was directed 10 keep
a weather eye for open saloons, and to
notify bar keepers that any who attempt
peril. Judging from the few DRINKS seen
on the streets during the day, the notice
had good effect, though a few saloons are
said to have been open. That class who
go It to excess evidently did not find them,
however.
With several thousand soldiers wander
ing through the city, Maj. Harrison real
lied that Sunday would be given quite
lively appearance if the proper restrictions
were not put on the saloons. The under
standing the civil and military authori-
ties have reached in regard to carrying
out a rigid enforcement of the city's ordi-
nance on this subject is such that 1t will
be almost impossible for saloons to run
open without being caught, and that, too,
in such a way the proof will almost sure
ly be forthcoming.
In the first place, the military authori-
ties have the right to enter saloons for
the purpose of getting soldiers who may
have struggled therein, and. while the
provost keep this up. they not only see
what is going on inside, but can make
their visits so frequent the saloon men
will find it to their interest to close. Be-
sides, when the provost enters a saloon
it is stated the police also have the right
TO follow and this is what was done yes
terday, when the only arrest was made.
George Christopher, who runs a place
at West Broad and Broughton streers,
was arrested by Policeman Mansfield for
violating the city ordinance by keeping
his saloon open on Sunday, and also for
having disorder therein. 1t Is stated sew
era attempts We're made by the military
authorities to get Christopher to close,
as soldiers were flocking in his place lie
would not do it, however.
and Privates Mcbride and
Boone Of the provost then entered the sa-
loon for the purpose Of bringing out q
number of soldiers known 20 be inside,
and as they passed in they were followed
| by the policeman. Five soldiers, who were
! found inside partially under the influence
! of LIQUOR, were taken out by the provost,
! while Christopher was taken in charge
by Mansfield For the first time the sa-
/ lon keeper realized the seriousness of his
offense, and when taken TO the police STA
| ton, manifested an uneasiness that was
/ unite interesting to those who observed
/ him. He was not held a great while, now
/ ever. being allowed to give cash BOND
! Court this morning.
What the penalty will be is not known
! but the fine imposed by Mayor MELON
! ough for the first offense was 500, While
for a second violation the offender was
fined $lOO sentenced to thirty days in JAN
/ and had his license revoked. This was
the nenalty in most all cases that came
before MIR. McDonough, but there has beer
| some diversion from the rule, as the num-
Der of prosecutions for Sunday retailing
/ nave been steadily decreasing since thai
time.
/ 1t is said the saloons were closed be
| cause of the greed manifested by some
| TO overdo a good thing. Sunday week
| ago it is stated those open between Whita'
| ker and West Broad streets had men II
the streets acquainting soldiers with the
| ropes" so there would be no difficulty
in getting to the right place. Had this
heen allowed to continue, Savannah nigh
have had a hilarious aspect yesterday
when some thousands of soldiers in towr
were still on the hunt for lateh-strings or
the outside. They could not be found il
the more frequented parts however, wher,
the soldiers and their friends had been go
ing 1t was like brushing up against
brick wall to them, and even the steer
ing parties who showed the b.uecoat
around Wero unable to explain why ther'
was no response TO gentle rapping at tn,
door.
Long listening did not result in detect
ing any sound, not even the faint jinglin,
OF cash register and from the genera
appearance of things, 1t seemed like tn
town was dry, or all saloon men had as
signed.
Some of the saloon men got ugly and de
clared they would not close. AS soon a
this became known the military author
ties placed a guard at the sa.oon in ques
ton with instructions not to allow sol
d.ers to enter 1t. In one instance a sa
loon man expressed his intention of keep
ing open, but he reeonsidered the matte
on receiving notice through a policeman
from Chief McDermott, that he would b
arrested If the saloon was found open. Thi
settled 1t. and for the remainder of tn
day the saloon man wandered away. de
claring he could not understand the tur