Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1909-06-19
Showers and Peters Vote
Against License For Doc
Fudge to Operate in Raj
eigh Street. : lU
ilsiBM UP
! 3 TO COUNCIL
Republicans and Democrats
Split at Meeting of Board
Of Affairs.

At the long session of the Board
OF Affairs yesterday afternoon and
last night many matters of impor-
lance were gone into. while a guam
tity of routine work was disposed OF.
Prominently among the interesting
question taken up was that OF grant
ing liquor license to Doc Fudge,
colored. to operate a negro saloon In
Raleigh street. Having filel the nee
essary bond, James s. Kahle, re-
publican member Of the board, NOV
ed that the application and license
be granted. This was seconded by
s N. Worley. the other Republican
member, while the two Democratic
members, Mayor S. Frazier Showers
and F. M. Peters voted againt It..
This now puts the matter mp to the
council.
Some discussion arose when the
application of Fudge was read. II
was suggested that he had not de-
posted the amount required for city
licenses with the city treasurer.
The petitions were referred to for
and against the saloon. Messrs
kahie and Worley said they had
seen the petitions. ami that a por-
ton of the s.gners Of both were NOT
on Raleigh street. but On Monroe,
Wyoming and Summers street. Mr..
kahle saying that according to his
recollection that among the prop
erty owners on Raleigh street that
eight had signed the petition against
the saloon. while four had signed a
petition in favor of the saloon. IT
appeared to the spectators that this
was a sufficient reason for voting
against the license.
The fact that there is now pend-
ins against Doc Fudge an Indictment
for selling liquor without license In
Tazewell county was also mentioned.
The Republican members said that
they had heard there was nothing
In the matter, t (Which Mayor Peters
remarked that II there was nothing
In the Indictment that Fudge should
go there for trial and vindicate him
self before asking the counsel to give
him license.
Chief Newkikrk admitted that the
place had given him considerable
trouble; that he had ARE sted as
many as seventeen at one time over
Judges saloon. and that the door
leading to the rooms above was Of
ten barred AMI admittance refused
to the police.
But 1t appears that all of this did
not deter the Republican members
o. the Board OF Affairs from voting
for Judges license. The petitions
were not given consideration. unless
IL was the petition which admittedly
contained only half the signers fin
favor of the saloon as against the
one containing the larger lumber OF
parties interest.
Both Messrs. Kahle ami Worley
said that IL they had any assurances
that Raleigh street would builtd I'D
that they would refuse License, but
both failed to await necessary time
ascertain this, but voted for Fudge
when the first opportunity offered
itself.
The Democratic party should feel
proud OF the stand its officials have
taken. They promised TO stand for
decency and to rid the city OF the
negro saloons on Raleigh street, and
their record Is an eloquent tribute
OF the manner In which they have
Kept their pledges in this respect.
But the Democrats are not alone
In this matter. The best element OF
the Republican party are heartily
supporting the Democratic members
% the Board OF Affairs.
Mr.. Kahle introduced the subject
OF decreasing the police force and
this matter was discussed at length
Chief of Police George n. Newkirl
was asked for his opinion in this
connection and he said that though
the present force is compelled t.
cover a large territory he could Sc,
no reason why the city could not b.
properly protected with two mer
less. After more discussl and de