The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-08

ing That the Law Is obeyed-His
Pointed Remarks to the Consta-
bles of the County.
In his charge to the grand jury, yes
terday morning, Judge II. W. Archibald
devoted an hour to a discussion of ille-
gal liquor selling, severely criticizing
the constables for their failure to find
and report the violations which were
discovered, as is claimed, by the agents
of the Mems. union, and calling upon
the grand jury to do it's full duty, with
out fear or prejudice, in dealing with
the prosecutions which will come be-
fore them as a result of the crusade.
The administration of the liquor laws
in this county was wel-nigh a farce,
he said, and it is constantly growing
worse. The number of internal reve-
nue. licenses taken out exceed by the
hundreds those applied for in the local
courts, and the So-called speakeasies
sell as openly as the licensed dealers
There is "a wholesome regard for Uncle
sam, the judge said. but they don't
seem to care a continental for Uncle
Penn.
sunday liquor selling, he went on to
say, is, If anything, the worse form of
violation. The speakeasy keeper makes
no pretense of observing the law, and
the licensed dealer seems to think he
is not expected to refrain from doing
what the unlicensed dealer is not pre-
vented from doing.
EFFECT DEMORALIZING.
The demoraliZins effect of this dis
regard of the laws was dwelt on a..
length and in conclusion the Judge told
the jurors that the responsibility Of
checking the evil was now upon them,
When he had finished his charge, the
judge called to the bench the county
constables, more than a hundred in
number. who were present to make
their periodical returns. They We're
sworn in body, and after taking seats
within the bar enclosure Judge Arch
paid directed that all those who had
violations of the liquor laws to report
should arise.
James w. Clark, of the Eighteenth
ward; Richard Barron, of the FIRST
ward OF Dickson City. and l.. J. Neary,
OF the Second ward of Carbondale,
were the only ones to stand up. Bar
ron reported Peter Walsh, Anthony
udor and Michael Zurtski. Clark re-
ported William Roth. Neary reported
Louis IL. Rehkop and John +. McDon-
nell.
After examining these reports, the
judge administered a singing rebuke
a
the valley, he said, the most fragrant
violations existed, yet they came into
court every return day and, after talk
ing their oaths. declared that they
were unable to find any. But what's
the use of calling your attention to
them?' he added. ITS only a waste
of time"
CONSTABLES QUESTIONED.
Attorney James H. Torrey, represent
ing the Mems union. asked permission
to question some Of the constables.
The request being granted, he called
j. c. Moran. constable of the Twelfth
ward, and asked him if 513 and 5l9
Pittston avenue We're in his ward He
answered that they We're not.
Mr. Torrey then called Constable
fu,
| questioned him as to his knowledge OF
the character of business carried on
at the place next door to the residence
OF Fred Winters, on Capouse avenue.
He did not know. He had heard some
rumors, or something like that, to the
effect that liquor was sold there. but
had not succeeded in discovering this
Ia be true. He was also unable to say
whether or not it was true that John
Lukens, a bother at S25 Capouse ave-
nue., sold beer by the glass.
Judge Archibald dismissed the con-
stables, after saying he hoped they
would be impressed with what he had
| said to the grand jury. The consta bles
lost no time In getting out of the court
room and hustling down stairs to draw
| their fees from the county commits
sOners' office.
Alfred Harvey, silk manufacturers OF
Green Ridge, was made foreman of the
| jury, and it retired to take up its work.
, The charge of Judge Archibald in full
is appended:
JUDGES REMARKS.
have a special matter to call to your atten-
| tion. ] am informed that large number Of
cases when are 10 he brought before you Will re-
late to violations OF the liquor laws II Is we'll
known to You as intelligent citizens that for the
| purpose Of regulating and controlling Tie sale
OF liquors several important restrictions are i'm.
posed. In the first place no one can sell without
license granted by the court; one is ptr-
| mtted TO furnish sell iouor of any kind on
Sunday or on election day; nor TO persons visibly
| intoxicated, nor to those cf known incorporate
| habits, nor TO persons under 81 years.
In all these there is recognized danger in
| the free and unlimited sale Of liquors and in the
| liquor trafic, and il is sought, by means OF
| these restrictions, to minimize that and control
/ it. These are provisions that are made after due
deliberation and put into laws framed by the leg.
islature out of regard for the general peace and
welfare OF the community, and il lived up to and
enforced the peace OF this and every other com.
munty would be far different from what 1t
| now Is.
| Unfortunately, however, the administration OF
the liquor laws comes into contact with the gre ed
| and selfshness of men, and too frequently are
brushed aside and disregarded, 1t is strange to
! say that in many places people themselves, for
whom the law exists, not only countenance vo'
| lations OF the law, hut actually lend their aid
| that the guilty may escape.
They think that somehow the laws are a sort
| Of infringement upon the general liberty OF the
| people. and. that those who are prosecuted are
] prosecuted, and that those who prosecute are