The news & observer., 1905-12-22
Women Fighting License
in AsheviIIe.
A REMARKABLE SCENE
Members OF Temperance Union and
Ministers of Gospel Work Up Evil
denCe Against Saloon Men and
Employ Lawyer to Fight Ap.
plications for License.
Especial to News and Observer

Asheville, n. c.. Dec. 20-In their
persistent warfare against the operat-
ing Of saloons in Asheville, the Wo-
mans Christian Temperance Union OF
this city, has, SO to speak, executed a
flank movement that was at the same
time q surprise, and today the Ashe
vile saloon keepers are engaged in a
fight for their very existence. TO the
men operating saloons at present it is
by far the most serious struggle in
which they have been engaged, al
though if they are put out Of busi-
ness others will probably take their
places.
The board of county commissioners
today took up the matter of applica-
tons for license to conduct saloons
in this city for the next SIX months,
the applications having been deferred
from the November hearing in order
that evidence Of alleged violations Of
the liquor laws by saioonists might be
presented at that time. Chairman
Reed of the board Of commissioners
had said that any saloon keeper
against whom Irregularities were
proved, would be denied license. The
Woman's Christian Temperance
Union took him at word, employ
cd lawyers and quietly began to work
up evidence, and when the. hearing be-
,4n this morning j. >. Adams. ::
prominent attorney of Ashevil!e arose
and stated that he had been employ
ed by one Of the greatest organiza-
tons on earth the Womans Christian
Temperance Union; that he appeared
in the case simply as q lawyer; WIS
paid for his services and that he had
evidence TO show that the commits
siOners should not grant the applica-
tions for license.
Many members of the WomanS
Christian Temperance Union were in
the court room, women who have
made the cause of temperance life
work There too, were local minis
ters OF the gospel and ardent workers
m the cause Of temperance; gathered
in knots about the radiators there
were young men scarcely out of their
teens, present in response to.
subpoenas served by the officers Sa-
loon keepers and their lawyers were
present, While in another portion of
the building and grouped together
were women of the RED Light dis
trict to the number of more than a
dozen.
The manner in which the evidence
was worked p and the names of wit
nesses secured without their knowl-
edge have excited no little admiration
for these interested in the private
prosection-
Later yesterday afternoon Sheriff
Reed was handed the names of fifty
nine persons. Many of the witnesses
summoned were surprised at the ap-
pearance of the officer with the papers,
and while the private prosecution has
doubtless made water hauls in a num-
Der Of instances it is believed that
considerable amount of evidence viii
be obtained.
When the investigation began the
names of the saloon keepers were
called, ]. H. Lang, J. II. Loughran
and Pat Mcintyre, and charges against
the former two were taken UP. 1t is
alleged that they keep wine rooms in
connection with their establishments
TO which lewd women are admitted
and allowed to drink, and some evi-
dence very damaging to Mr.. Lough-
ran especially was adduced.
The sensational feature of the hear
ing today was when Mollie Sheed after
testifying was ordered into custody
of the Sheriff for perjury. In Il few
minutes a ruling was made that the
commissioners had not the power to
hold the women in custody. and war
rant was Immediately sworn out
charging her with purjury. She was
held in a 5000 bond.
Sheriff Reed was given list of 20
additional witnesses this afternoon and
the officers are engaged in serving
the subpoenas.
Comfy Attorney Webb has advised
the commissioners that under an act
of the legislature they have the power
of attaching witnesses who refuse to
answer on contempt. The hearing will
continue all day tomorrow and prob
ably longer.