The Newtown bee., 1908-03-06
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES k*****# x x x x * Home News and Comment. *: # x *M*MMMa* * x K MM%a# k N#x## ##* *Ma:
HEARING BEFORE COUNTY COM
 MISSIONERS

ON THE QUESTION OF GRANTING
 A LICENSE TO SELL LIQUOR AT
 THE GRAND CENTRAL HOTEL.
 The hearing on the remonstrance against granting a license to sell liquor at the Grand Central hotel took place at the Town hall, Monday, before County Commissioner Simeon Pease and Commissioner Brophy. Attorney John W. Banks appeared for Town Clerk Houlihan, the applicant, and Attorney Wilder for the remonstrants, From 75 to 100 people were in attend ance. The hearing opened with wit nesses for the applicant on the stand. Some 20 or more heard, when an ad- journment was made for two weeks.
 Charles F. Beardsley testified as fol- lows: Known M. J. Houlihan all my life. Was not asked to sign the re- monstrance. Know no reason why he should not have a license. About 40 voters within one-half mile of Grand Central. Except during summer months there is no place in village for accommodation of transient guests. Have heard they sold on Sunday but have no personal knowledge of violation of law in any way.
 s. A. Blackman testified: First Selectman for past five years. Only places in village where alcohol or stim- ulants can be obtained in case of sick ness are Grand Central hotel and the Newtown Inn. ....
 In answer to question by Commis- sioner Pease as to whether any com plaint had ever been made to Prosecu- ting liquor agents or grand juror to your knowledge of any violation of liquor law Mir Blackman answered "No."
 Michael Donohue, Selectman at present, said: Never any complaint made to town authorities to my knowl- edge, of violation of laws, nor remon- strance. Reputation of place is good.
 Jesse A. James, Station Agent at Hawleyville past F years: No other hotel open in winter and no drug store in village. Think M. J. Houlihan is suitable person to run hotel. Harry F. Madigan, Grand Juror: Never had complaint in regard to vii olation of liquor laws at Grand Gen. tral. ... "
 Oscar Pitzschler, Assistant Town Clerk and ex-auditor of town: No complaint to my knowledge of viola tion of laws and no remonstrance. Know of no violation of law in any respect. M... -,E...
 Patrick Ready, Board of Relief, past two years, said: Everything all right to my knowledge.
 John T. Sheehan: Lived in village all my life, near Grand Central and know of nothing against it in any way. T. J. Corbett testified: That the place was suitable; no violation; no complaint, no nothing.
 Edward F. Keane of Danbury Hotel can not be run without bar. Know of no man more proper to run hotel than MT Houlihan.
 Samuel Barnum, life long democrat and know of no complaint. Have not seen remonstrance but all are repub- licans.
 Sherman w. Crofut: No complaint or objection to license previous to this. |
 Michael J. Murphy: Never any trouble to my knowledge and know nothing against him.
 William Ready: Lives two miles from village and knows nothing abou matter one way or another.
 Daniel Brennan: No other hotel, no drug store and know nothing against M. J. Houlihan.
 E. D. Briscoe, Justice of Peace for past six years: Generally got up town for Memorial day, Sunday services. Never heard any fault found with Sena- tor Houlihan, good man for business and uses all we'll who go there.
 Patrick F. Grove, Representative at last session of Legislature: Never heard any complaint against the place and know nnthing against it.
 William w. Peck testified practically as the previous witnesses.
 Edwin T. Hook: In village two or three times a week and M. J. Houlihan keeps a model place to my way of thinking. Have been in village every Sunday for past 15 years and have nev- CT seen any violation whatever. Never even saw Mir Houlihan offer one of his guests any linlnr on Sunday.