Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-08-17
SHOPPERS IN COURT
Members of tho Civil Club Combat the Testimony oithe State Police in cout To-Day
JUDGE WILL THINK IT OVER

~ '~ "s1inos inoiias J. COylc, preSi-
 dent of the Civil Club on Bishop
 street was warmly contested. There
 were two cases, one for selling drink
 without license on June IT, and one
 for keeping 1t with intent to sell on
 July l and 15. MT Coyle was repre-
 scented by Attorney Guilfoile. State
 Policeman Downing testified that he
 went to the club on June 1T with
 Charles Herman member of the or.
 ganization, that they had two rounds
 or drinks and he paid for one of them,
 at which time he was not member.
 Herman filed an application for mem-
 Dership for him and on the day of
 the application was filed he bought
 another round of drinks. The same
 evidence pertained to the other dates.
 As to the furniture in the club he
 said there were a few tables, maga.
 zines and papers, and one or two rooms were carpeted.
 His companion Jackson was with him once. The entire evidence went
 to show that Downing followed up
 Herman until he induced him 10 take him to the club. Downing was final
 ly elected member, his application was made out in Herman's house, but after he was elected member he had no more to do with Herman. So Her man said, but Downing said that not later than a week ago he was in Her. mans house.
 Downing's application for member ship was produced from the files of the club and he was greatly sur prised when informed that certain mark on 1t showed the number of his key was registered. The rules of the club were also produced, and it was shown that instead of there being on ly few books and papers as Down ing had testified. there was book case filled with current literature, some of the floors were carpeted. there were pictures on the walls and every floor had either carpet or lino- leum on 1t.
 Herman said he was standing near Lake X Strobel's corner one day when he was accosted by Downing. He had never seen the man before but af- ter brief conversation Downing struck him as very nice fellow and that was why he invited him to his house and to the club. Downing seemed anxious to see the inside of the club rooms. Herman said. He also admitted having drink or two with Downing in the club, but Down. ing did not pay for any.
 Edward B. Hardie. secretary of the club told how applications are made out and that the board of governors. comprising Mir Coyle. Daniel Dalton, treasurer: and Henry Cunningham, vice e-president. and himself. pass upon each application and inquiring into the character of the applicant. Each was certain that Downing's applica- tion was positive, 1t was Mir Coyle who served him with the drinks. but 1t was shown that this was impossible. that Mir Coyle was not in the club at 9:40 on the morning of Sunday June 17. Mir Cunningham did tell Mir Coylc that two men whose looks he did not like were in the club and he did not serve them, though one of them had key.
 Mir Coyle testified that he served Downing once and he was positive that he never saw Jackson until this fin court. Downing and Jackson had testified that the door of the club room was open the morning they were there together. Mir Coyle denied this. He knew almost every tn the club as all of them i've in the north end. and that 1t was impossible for Downing or any one slse to avail himself of the privilege Df the club unless he wns a member. The club was organized for mutual social benefit. There was no regular steward.
 In summing up Judge Burpee said t was evident that all connected with he club acted in perfect good faith. Their character was not in question. however. The club seemed to him to ,e conducted differently from most .lubs inasmuch as 1t had no regular steward or no special officer to pay it's expenses. yet 1t was evident hat Its officers were under the i'm )ressIon they had compiled fully with III the requirements of the law. The question then was. did they comply with the lawi The court said 1t would take him some time to think 1t ,ver and he reserved decision till 
 In the case of Gedeon Bellveau. a1 Grand street. charged with selling nn Sunday. August ]. there was a mis- apprehension. Attorney Russell act ng for the accused said he under tood the case referred to his clients iaioon. whereas 1t seems It referred O an organization known as the Brass -itv Social club. Evidence was taken md It was to effect that Downing one Sunday. went to Lakewood and got n with some fellows and had great ime swinging beer. He bought a ew checks which he exchanged for ,eer. Jackson was with him another 'unday. There were positive that he accused was the man who keeDs
 saloon at 21 Grand street. but could lot swear that he was the man from rhom they bought the beer cheeks t Lakewood.
 BelIvenu showed that. on Sunday August :. he was at home with his amily and hai company. Further. pore he was not connected with the iub mentioned and knew nothing bout It. He was discharged.
 Two cases against Charles Messer. resident of the Acme club on Brook l treef were taken un- next. The evi- 1 ence as substantially the same in hsse as in tfe other club cases. The tate offers had no bother in getting n fhc drink they carei for. and flev l