Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1903-04-23
THE FIRST PUBLIC HEARING.
License Commissioners Listen to Logic
and Eloquence-J. A. Mccarthy

and Eloquence-J. A. Mccarthy
Roasted.
The license commissioners of Rocking
ham held their first public hearing on
applications for licenses in Banquet hall
at p. NJ. Monday. At the appointed
hour some $50 interested citizens had
gathered to watch developments. The
meeting was called to order by James ii.
Williams, chairman of the commission,
and not word was said for or against
the first four applications. 1t began to
look as though it was to be Quaker
meeting. The applications of Frank F.
Sheppard for a irst-class license for
Hotel Windham, L. T. Lowell for first
class license for Hotel Rockingham, L.
T.Moseley for third-class license for the
depot cafe and d, F. Beasley for second
class license for his pool room on Bridge
street were passed without comment.
Next on the list were the applications
of j. A. Mccarthy for second-class l.
Ce1lSe anu d lOuIbll-SiaSo iiSChoO w NC VA
ercised in the Conant block on Bridge
street. II. Ryder took the floor and
objected to the applications on several
grounds. He said that he understood
from reliable source that the applicant
was not 25 years of age as required by
law. He also objected to his brief resi-
dence in town being interpreted to make
him a resident under the meaning of the
law. He said that he understood that
few days after this town voted Ii
cense Mr.. Mccarthy packed his carpet
bag and came to Bellows Falls in order
to gain a residence. His sole purpose in
coming to this town was to secure the
privilege of selling whiskey and Mr..
RYDER believed that if the license were
not granted he would hasten back to
Massachusetts, whence he came. He also
thought Mr.. Mccarthy an improper per-
son to hold a license. He said that a
business man had told him that Mr.. Nc
Carthy had said in his presence that he
was absolutely sure of receiving license
and even offered to bet suit of clothes
that he would secure one or both of the
licenses he asked for. Mr.. Ryder said
that he understood that the Boston par
ties who backed the brewery were back
ing Mccarthy. These parties left I'M
paid bills in this section and this did not
speak very eloquently for the backing.
Mr.. Mccarthy took the floor in his own
defense He said that he never owned a
carpet bag and resented the imputation
of being carpet Dagger. He said that
he was a resident of the town of Rock
ingham and he was willing to have his
age investigated by the commissioners.
Mr.. Ryder asked him if he would state
whether or not he was 25 years of age
He said he had nothing to say but was
willing to leave the matter in the hands
of the commissioners. S. j. Cray asked
if it was reasonable to suppose that any
resident of Rockingham could go to Rut-
land, Burlington or Montpelier under
the same conditions that Mr.. Mccarthy
had come to Bellows Falls and secure
license. He thought that Mr.. Mccarthy
must have pull with the commission
erS, or at least the parties who were
backing him must have pull. John P.
Riley, one of the commissioners, resent
ed the insinuation that anyone had
pull with the commissioners and called
on Mr. Cray for his evidence. Mr.. Will
liams said that he wished to correct the
impression which Mr.. Cray seemed to
have that the lower floor of the Conant
building had already been rented to Nc
earthly. Mr.. Cray then called for R. II.
Ramsey but Mr.. Ramsey was not in the
room. Mr.. Cray said that in case Nc
Carthy got strapped and had to seek
town aid it was more than likely that
the town of Rockingham would look to
Massachusetts home to be
reimbursed. This in itself ought to de-
termine whether Mccarthy is resident
or not. Mr.. Mccarthy denied very en-
phatically that he had ever said that he
was sure of license or that he had ever
offered to bet a suit of clothes that he
would get one. John o. Spring said that
he hoped that only the hotels and drug
stores would be licensed and that licenses