The times., 1898-07-12
NEWS FROM ALEXANDRIA
Nieke!-in-the Slot Machines Deeiar-
ed Gambling Devices.
indictments by the United States
District Grand Jury-COrporatio
Court GrEnd Jury AdjOurns.

Alexandria, Va. July II-Nayor Simpson. in
the Police Court, today rendered decision IN
the nickcl-in-the-slot machine cases He de-
clared the machines TO be gambling devices. nut
withheld judgment in order to give the parties
interested opportunity to appeal TO higher
court. John II. Green and Joseph r. Flanigen
appeared for the defendants and their first mo-
tion 10 demand the names of the parties at
whose instance the matter was brought before
the courts. The mayor Oyerruled the motion.
lnasmCch as the license law after mentioning
slot machines for merchandise. music and weigh
ing, adds, 'or other devices that operate on the
nickeiin-the-slot machine principle for gain -
the defendants contended that they were not
violating any law, and had a right 10 operate
the machines for which they had been granted
a license hy the commissioner of revenue The
mayor held that the machines in question we're
gambling devices, and were prohibited under the
general law prohibiting games of chance He
did not think that any merchant who had ex-
hibitcd the machines in question contemplate d
any violation Of the Law. and. therefore he would
not impose any penalty
The United States District Court, yudle Mad
din presiding. convened in this city tadav The
grand jury, with L. f. Hansbrough as foreman,
returned indictments in the following cases:
bee, Of Norfolk, counterfeitfng; W H. Brauner,
of Alexandria, violating internal revenue law;
John Thomas, alias John Thomas strIage, OF
Alexandria, impersonating Federal officer and
attempting pension frauds The -ranI jury was
adjourned until tomorrow Mary f. Reed. alias
Hcrder. indicted in Norfolk for making false pen
sion claims pleaded guilty and sentenced
70 pay a fine OF s. and to serve thirty days
IN jail Charles E. Taylor, in bankruptcy. was
ordered 10 make deed 10 property sold Dy as
signoe. Abbott and Mertens trustees against
Dies Manufacturing Company; order requiring
trustees to make report TO the court before next
term. James zones and George Wright of Prince
William County. charged with violating the pos.
tai laws. were released on their own recognizancc
An alleged criminal assault case was heard
in the Police Court today. Edith Carroll, an
eighteen-year-old colored girl, was the complain
ant. and LlewelIyn Lane also colored was
charged with the crime. A number OF witnesses
were examined and the trial terminated in
Lane and one Of the witnesses, Daniel Lee. be
ing fined s. each for indecent conduct The as
sault charge was dismissed.
DIR. II. p Howard has been appointed sanitary
inspector in the United States marine hospital
service for the port of Alexandria. in place of
Dr. Arthur Snowden, who was recently appointed
brigade surgeon in the army
Thomas j. Smith, whose wife died on the
4th instant. has been taken to the Infirmary
10 be treated for typhoid fever His little daugh-
ter IS also Ill.
The grand jury of the Corporation Court. with
out having returned any indictments, was ad-
journed today.
Mrs. Emma Clapdore, widow of William Clap
dore, died at her home on South Fairfax Street
yesterday.
Ann Russell was fined $3.50 by the mayor
today for disOrderly conduct, and William Fox
was fined $50 for contempt of court.
II was learned here today that jefferson VIII.
Jams, one of the colored immunes who left this
city last week with Capt. Woude for Augusta.
Ga, knocked from the cars and killed while
route to that city.
regular meeting of the city council will
be held tomorrow night. The council Will prob
ably adjourn for the Summer after this meeting.
IT is thought that several important streets mat
tiers viii be reported. and that an election will
be held for police commissioner for the Third
ward, to succeed Capt. Herbert Bryant, whose
term has expired. Capt. Bryant will be a candi-
date for reelection, and il is understood that
he viii have opposition.
In the County Court today, in the cause of
the Washington, Alexandria and Mount Vernon
Electric Railway against Annie F. Johnston land
condemnation proceedings, the plaintiff was al
lowed $1,000.