The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-07-04
THEY FOUGHT HARD
TWO SALOON KEEPERS ACQUITTED
IN SUPERIOR COURT.
ANOTHER PAIR CONVICTED.
REFORM LEAGUE GETTING DOWN
TO WORK. fr

Spoilers and Were Found Not
GuiIty-A. III. wood and A. G. Reg
OpOuIOs Prosecuted by White Men
Months I'm JaiI-A Day of Incidents
in the Court ROOm-PIenty of Hard
Fighting in the Case Against the
Greek-NegrO SpOtter, Who Is
CrayOn Artist, Lost Both of His
Cnses-Bonds Estreated Where De-
PENDANTS Failed to Answer.
After several brief delays and much
hard fighting, four cases against saloon
keepers, indicted for keeping open tip
ping houses on the Lords Day, were
tried in the Superior Court yesterday.
William Mccormick and Daniel Degnan,
two Yamacraw proprietors, were acquit-
ted. A. c. Regopoulas, proprietor of
place on Liberty street, near East Broad,
and A. H. Wood, who runs a restaurant
and bar on West Broad street. near Perry
lane, were found guilty. The witnesses
against the latter were white men and
those against the Yamacraw men were
negroes. Wood and Regopoulos were each
in Jail.
The court room was crowded with in
terested spectators when the docket was
called in the morning, and the proceed
ings did not drag for a minute, until the
last of the four cases was ended. Not
a point was missed by counsel for the
saloon men and every inch of ground
was fought. At the opening it appeared
as if none of the saloonkeepers was
ready for trial. and Judge Falligant no
ticed the various objections that were
being made against going on with the
cases. The court stated positively that
only good legal excuses for a postpone
ment would be considered, and that he
would certainly insist on the trial of the
cases. Solicitor General Osborne and Mr..
II. E. Wilson. for the state, announced
ready in all of the cases.
The Indictment against John Meyer
was called and unanswered and an order
was issued to estreat the bond. 1t had
been furnished by Henry Schroeder in
the sum of $500. The case against D.
Silverstein. charged with having his place
open on June Is, was called and the of
uttTS stated that OliNeISleih 10 Oul Vi the
city, and that no arrest had been as yet
made. The bond for James Whiteman,
with Henry Precht as surety in the sum
of $500, was ordered estreated, but White
man appeared in court later.
The case against owen Travers, char5-
ed with doing business on Jan. 20, June 9,
June 16 and June %, were next called and
Travers failed to answer. The first in
dictment was secured from another source
and bond had been furnished for $3.50.
with J. d. Hirsch as surety No bail
had been furnished In the last three cases,
secured by representatives of the Good
Government League, and the first bond
was ordered estreated.
Continuances were granted in the cases
of Phillip Sanders, represented by George
w. owens; two cases against ]. A. Ga
lima, represented by W. r. Leaken; Henry
Schroeder, represented by Garrard and
Meldrim; George Schroeder. represented
by Garrard and Meldrim.
The court overruled the motions for
postponements in the cases against Max
Ehrlich and A. C. Regopoulos, and an
nounced that the defendant would have to
be ready for trial during the afternoon
session. In the Judgment of the Court
Attorney Cam had not made a sufficient
showing for a delay.
1t was seen at once that counsel intend
ed putting up a stubborn fight and the
request that followed the motion for a
| continuance did not cause great surprise.
The attorney stated that he would re-
| quire the presence of the secretary of the
Law and Order League in the court
room during the trial of the two cases.
Not only was it his purpose to have the
secretary present, but he wanted the
books, papers and memoranda of the
League.
The counsel stated that he had been in
formed that ]. II. Crittenden was the Sec
rotary, and asked that the court issue an
order for him to appear at 4 O'Clock. Rep
resentattve Wilson of the Good Govern
ment League smiled good naturally, but
made no comment.
An order was issued by the court COM
manding the reputed secretary Ito bring
into court the form of oath, pledge OF
promise subscribed by the members OF
what is known as the Law and Orler
League, or of the organization of which
| you are secretary; also the minute book
| and list of the names of the members
and certain papers. and books. showing
the means employed in carrying out the
| objects of the body"
The paper was placed in the hands OF
| Deputy O'Connor with instructions &C
| serve IL at once. The officer had no diff
Guilty in finding the gentleman for whom
the order OF court was Intended but
| found that he is not the secretary of any
| organization, whose object it is TO bring
about a reformation in Savannah. Mr.
| Crittenden stated that he was perfectly
/ willing 10 go into court, but that inasmuch
| as he is not secretary of the League he
| could not get hold OF its papers and
books, II indeed IL has any. Upon this
showing he was not required TO answer
the summons of the court.
Later Mr. Wilson stated that an err
| roneous impression prevails concerning
the Good Government League. II is moi
an organized body with bylaws and g
list OF officers. and there Is no minute.
book. The League has no charter. and
no meeting place. and is composed OF
| gentlemen who have determined to see
that the laws arc not so fiagrantly vio-
| lated as has been the custom ThS
| Leagues legal adviser stated that MIR
| Crlttenden is not the secretary and that
there is none. but this Information was
given out after Attorney Cam had play.
ed his card.
When the afternoon session convened
the state announced that IL was not ready
to SO on with both Of Maj. Cams cases
II would be in a position to go to tlia
in the Regopoulos case. but the bill
| against Ehrlieh would have 20 go ovei
with the other cases. The solicitor sait
| that the court understood the reason for
the delay and that while the prosecution
was not ready then. Il was prepared
and anxious at the morning session K
| so 20 trial Certain things had trans,