The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-07-01
The War Against Whis.
key at Greensboro.
A DAY OF SENSATIONS
Mcbane and Tate Bound Over. How
WhiskeY Got Into Col. Staples
Office. Col. Morehead Denounces
Liquor Law. Hot Time in
Court.
Court.

Especial 10 news ana oDSeENGT.J
Greensboro, y. c.. June 30.-The
blind tiger crusade here is absorbing
all the attention of the public and all
talk of the populace.
First a bogus drummer spy at the
Bcnbow hotel had two of the bell
boys there arrested for selling liquor,
they having filled his order for two
different pint TASKS. These boys placed
in Jail. were made to squeal, and they
said that the elevator boy at the Ben
bow Arcade. across the street furn-
ished the TASKS. The elevator boy was
arrested Wednesday afternoon, he
said that Messrs. Giles Mebane and
Manly Tate, who run a brokerage
business here, furnished him the
liquor These gentlemen We're ar
rested last night by the policemen. but
the mayor himself turned them loose
on their own recognizance to appear
for trial this afternoon
Mcbanc & Tatc's Place Searched.
But the fun did not stop here. The
chief of police got deputy collector
Ia swear out q search warrant before
United States Commissioner Wolf,
under an affidavit that he believed
that contraband liquor was stored in
the brokerage office of Mebane & Tate
and i'm Tate's private room adjoining.
The search was made but not Vas-
tagc of liquor found.
Mcbane & Tate say they sell all
kinds of groceries. wet and dry. Un
order. furnishing druggists and others
who give orders. Whiskey being sent
from n Baltiomre firm direct to the
customer i'm original packages. and
have issued absolute denials of any
knowledge connected with blind tiger
practices. or of having violated the
letter or spirit of the prohibition
law.
People mere, of course are asking if
Judge Peebels was wrong in declaring
the amendments to the charter giving
policemen the right of search of peo-
pies homes and conliScation of any
liquor found unconstitutional, why did
not the city officers themselves break
into the Office of these prominent bust
ness men last night, as they did the
home of the negro, whom Judge
PEBBLES discharged from custody.
Guard Before Staples Office.
The excitement was intensified today
when it became known that an effort
had been made to get the United States
officer to swear out a search warrant
against the law office of Col. John n.
Staples. after Col. Staples had refused
an officer admittance to search mis-
office without legal process. Col
Staples has appeared before the mayor
i'm a great many cases as attorney for
parties indicted for retailing liquor
and il is said that the city authorities
pretend that some of his clients or as
sociates have liquor in his office.
Anyway the streets opposite the
building in which Col. Staples office
is located on tho second floor of the
Tate building, have had groups of
people congregatetd all the'morning to
see the novel sight of a city policeman
guarding the lawyers office door. and
il is said he has been there all night.
waiting and watching.
Violence is Feared.
Many people really fear some vio-
lence. but the lawyer has been busy
all the morning in the office of Col
James T. Morehead it is said, con-
sulting with Attorney John N Wilson
and Col. Morehead who are preparing
to defend MesSrs. Mebane & Tate this
afternoon under the charge of retail
ing liquor. and it is said that more i'm
portant than this is the preparation OF
papers looking to redress for alleged
indignitics and illegal actions perpe-
tratcd last night, not only in connec-
tion with Mebane & Tate but towards
Col. Staples. All kinds of rumors are
floating about, and the end is not yet.
There is undoubtedly public SEN
timent here by vast majority of the
people in favor of an honest observ-
ance of the prohibition law but there
is an equal overwhelming public SEN
timent that some of the ruling powers
are exercising poor judgment at the
least.
Tate and Mebane Bound Over.
After a prolonged hearing in the IL
quor cases against Mebane and Tate
this evening Mayor Murphy bound
them over to court in $500 bonds
which were readily given
The two negroes i'm Jail testified
that defendants furnished liquor and
that they sold il on commission De
PENDANTS both swore they had never
sold a drop but took orders for whis-
key and groceries. the goods being
shipped direct to customers. They
voluntarily testified to having whiskey
i'm their office, which they drank gave
their friends and let their customers
sampJe: that after they We're arrested
on a charge of retailing last night.
knowing of the law passed by the re-
cent Legislature making possession of
whiskey presumption Of guilt. they
moved this whiskey into the back
office of Col. Staples without his
knowledge Both proved good charac-
. ters- and the fact of conducting q gen
eral brokerage business.
Col Staples testified that he had been
informed of policemen being stationed
around his office and one would have