Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1905-09-29
The TRIAL.
Local Option Law Put to Severe
Test.

There is no possible condition IN life
acceptable to 4~ses OF citizens. We
may all be Of good intent and work for
the good of our community, and yet
differ. The reason is psin-we are not
alike. Not being alike, our tastes differ,
our minds differ, and our difference lies
in our creation, our condition, our en-
vironment To wrangle and squabble is
scarcely state of condition calculated to
draw people to your community-or our
community.
And yet in greater CT less degree we
find warning among people in every pro-
vince, IN every district, and in every
community. Warning and disagreement
right down the line even unto members
of the same family. Every fellow is de-
termined that he is right and the other
fellow is wrong-at least such is too fire.
quentlv the case. In their strong feel
ing of what is best for themselves and
others many a man allows his zeal to-
warp his judgment and he becomes a
prey to prejudices which he may possess
unbeknown to himself.
We all with the exception of few
perhaps) desire to see law and order pre-
vail. The law we declare must be obey
ed. The law is power and in obeyaucei
of the laws do we, as a class, or race,
distinguish ourselves from barbarians?
He who breaks law should be punish
ed and punishment is meted out in ac-
cordance with the offense or crime COM
mitted
On the first day of last January the
local option law went into effect in Ben
ton county. Since that time there has
! perhaps been as much trouble SO far as
the invocation of the courts is concerned
as there was in any such ike period be-
fore-or nearly SO. Our local option law
(bear in mind we are not against temper
ance) has not made our people temper
ate-it may later, and we hope it will.
The same men who heretofore used
whiskey still have it. And still being
able to get liquor they still use it.
! Along about the first of August last
(possibly earlier) an organization sprang
into being in our city styling itself the
Corvallis Social aud Atheletic Club. 1t
was claimed that the club had incorpor-
ated under the laws of the State of Ore
gon. The eyes of many people popped
wide at what was generally termed de-
fiance of the local option law. The club
began to operate aud various were the
r stories a1oat regarding the club and
what was taking place. 1t was claimed
r that it was not better than saloon.
That liquor was dispensed there can be
little doubt.
Just what the law is on the matter OF
club organization in Oregon is something
that very few lawyers seem to know
very clearly and yet in the face OF this
fact nearly every man you would meet
on the streets knew ali about it a"d his
[ opini n Of the law was always along
: lines in accordance with his particular
4 views of clubs-for or against as the cast
: may be, or have been.
!, Such was about the state of affairs
:, when the case of the State of Oregon VS.
Chas. M. Kline and Jack Milne came ul
in Justice Holgste's court last Tuesday
The complaint charged that the above
mentioned defendants had sold or givel
to George Plaster, on certain date
l. liquor in defiance of the local option law
n WoI1s TO fl,a
:. prosecution for the state was in tn
d hands of Deputy Prosecuting Attorne
e E. R. Bryson. OF this city. Mr.. Wyatt
.ei of the law firm of Weatherford & Wyatt
6 of Albany, appeared for the defendants
It was near the middle of the afternoo
of Tuesday before a jury of six me-
= had been secured. Many jurors ha.
! been drawn only to be examined ant
< discharged. A number of men honestl
q admitted having formed strong opinion
le in the case. The jury selected consiste
le of J. R. Smith, A. W. Herbert. o. V
II Hurt, G. Fl. Carl. William Bogue an
le w. T. Small. Then began the examin
N alton of the witnesses for the prosecutio
70 The main witness for the state was MI
a Plaster; after that gentleman came man
= others. The prosecution had Witness'
in attendance from Newport, Albany ar
ie Portland and after examining the state
eI witnesses until nearly six. o'clock Tue
ia day evening conrt was adjourned until
1T a. m. Wednesday morning. Mr.. Bryse
lg began on further examination of witnes
les for the state. This was conclude
is shortly before II a. m. Mr.. Wyatt Ca
ne ed two or three witnesses and question
he them. There was some cross exami
ed alton, but was what would be termed br
and not of lengthy detail.
Then Mr.. Bryson began sum ming
the situation for the state. The no
'ye hour arrived and recess was declare
lp- until 80 Wednesday afternoon. VIII
Lis, the hour came for resuming court ma
nd people were in attendance and Just
8O Holgate barely escaped fine for ct