The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-05-30
OPPOSE GRANTING
LIQUOR LICENSE
.------.-----.----
Judge Witt Gives Entire Day to
Hearing Friends and Opponents
Of Certain Saloons.
Mr.. sEMMEs's QUICK REPLY
"1nto Middle 81 Rivcr,' Is sug-
gcstcd by Minister as Proper
Place" for Them.
Mr.. .sEMMEs's QUICK REPLY

Judge witt, sitting in the Hastings
Court gave I'LL of yesterday to hear
Ing evidence In favor of or against the
granting OF liquor licenses to r. N.
Tillcr, Ed. Hogan and 7. Il sullivan,
within q few blocks radius GNtcr
hearing about 1875 to 100 witnesses, the
majority Of them against the appiica-
lions, Judge Witt adjourned court until
next rucsday, June Atm, when the re-
manning testimony will be taken. Both
sides presented cloud OF Witnesses,
but those for TIL. opposition fur out
numbered tho witnesses for the nppli-
cants Witnesses and Interested spec
tntors crowded the courtroom, and In
tense interest was manifested ut every
stage of the proceedings
While there must have been some
suppressed feeling among the rival
contingcnts, any indication Of it was
was of the most dHsnined and orderly
nature throughout. Judge Witt en-
forced strict order and firmly repressed
my manifestation of feeling or any
tendency to the indecorous.
Attorney IIunsdon Cary appeared as
counsel for the protestants and was
seconded by Commemorative Attorney
hIlnctrce Folkcs. whose attitude was
of more official and judicial nature
than as a prosecutor For tho advo-
i
Smith appeared and conducted the case
with tact and judgment
The Rev. Thomas SemmeB. rector OF
st Andrews Protestant Episcopal
Church and president of the Associate
Charities; tho Rev. J. B. Hutson, pastor
OF the Pine-Street Baptist Church. and
the Rev. D. G. G. Butts, pastor Of the
Laurel-Strcct Methodist Church. whose
congregations composed the majority
of the protcstants. appeared aud testi-
G1J ,tnr re-
Eregatons likewise dcpo5ed.. These
three churches had filed lengthy petit
lions opposing the issue OF license, nut
Judge Witt ruled that signatures TO
petitions were not valid evidence. and
summoned the signers Of the memorials
to appear and testify.
Many Ladies Protest.
Forty or fifty ladies appeared to
testify for the opposition to the appli-
cations, and not a few, though not so
many, appeared in behalf OF the appll-
cants
The testimony generally was as to
the general regulations of the saloons
and the suitability or unsuitabillty OF
The locations for the sale OF nQuor.
THE Rev Thomas Semmes testified as
to what he had heard as to the char-
acter of patrons OF the bars and the
regulations OF the places asking Tor
licenses He testified to having dis
pcnscd aims in tho ncighborhood 10
many families who. In MS Judgment,
and to the best of his knowledge and
belief, would not have needed assist
ance but for the expenditure by the
brend-winrers OF the family for drink
mt these saloons. Objection was also
made to license, on the ground That the
three saloons were in the heart Oh
residential section of the city.
Attorney Smith characterized the
Testimony of Mr.. Semmes as an argu-
1nent, and asked II he could Suggest
my place TO which he would have the
saloons removed.
'Ycs-to the middle Of the river
and demonstrations from the large
audience. and especially the ladies'
Judge Witt rcproved tho audience. and
warned those participating In the dem
onstratlon against repetition OF It.
Tho testimony of DR. Hutson and OF
Mr.. Butts was cumulative and corrob-
F. grated of That of the preceding Witness
Mr.. Smith. attorney for the appli-
Il cants interpreted that the testimony
and the answer of Mr.. Semmes to his
4 question proved what he suspected
that the opponents were local option
lists and were opposed to granting any
licenses
Members of the congregations Of the
three churches named and many otheI
residents Of the vicinity deposed as tc
the general reputation Of the places.
without completing the testimony
Judge Witt set Tuesday, June 4th. fol
further argument. and adjourned court