The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1909-03-13
SHE IS ENFORCING THE PROHIBITION
LAW WITH A STRONG HAND.
Fines One Of Her Aldermen Heavily for
Running Blind Tiger.
COnfiscates His Wet Goods, Turns Him
Out Of office and Places Him Tn.
der Bond for Future Good
Behavior.

| Natchez, Miss, March 5.-A SEN
sation that has shaken this city was
the conviction of Alderman P. U.
Benjamin, for Illegal sale Of intox-
icating liquor. He pleaded guilty.
He was fined $500; placed under
$500 bond to keep the peace and be
a good citizen; placed under $500
bond to abide by the prohibition
law and to support same; the 81, ,00C
stock of wet goods was confiscated
and will be destroyed. In addition
to all this he. was forced to resign
from the city council.
Alderman Phil U. Benjamin,
charged with operating a blind
tiger in his place of business on
Commerce street, appearing before
Judge Rely in the police court this
morning, pleaded guilty to the
charge, begged mercy of the court
and was fined $500 and placed under
bond to keep the peace and to abide
by and support the prohibition laws
of the State.
This disposition of the case was
accomplished through compromise
entered into by Attorneys Reed and
Brown for the prosecution and At
torneys Geisenberger and RatcIiff
for the defense and sanctioned by
the police justice. Benjamin's inn
mediate resignation from the board
of mayor and aldermen was a con-
dition of the compromise and the
resignation was in the hands of
Mayor Benbrook on Thursday
night.
The case was to have come up at
the regular session of court today,
but through the courtesy of Judge
Reilly the attorneys were permitted
to present at the specially called
session of the court the compromise
which was practically completed
| last night. The court and the at
torneys for both sides and people
generally agree as to the equity of
the settlement. Messrs. Reed and
Brown are satisfied that the penalty
fixed is adequate to the offense,
that it is in no way vindictive, but
is calculated to inspire people gen
orally with the sanctity of the law.
By the compromise Alderman
Benjamin escapes a probable Jail
sentence. The evidence was such
that a conviction would likely have
been found in the police court and
most probably in the circuit court
should an appeal have been taken.
The stock confiscated is listed at
something over $500, but lit is be-
lieved the total value will run the
amount up to $1,000 and but little
was released. The value of the
stock confscated and the fine of
$500 will total in the neighborhood
of 81 500.
Benjamin is under the following
promise to keep the peace and to
respect the lid laws: Il hereby
lsolemnly promise and agree that I
will not violate in any way the pro-
hibition laws of the State Of Mis-
sissippi and that l will obey and
support the same" The ex-alder-
man is under bond in the sum of
$500 in two sureties to abide by
this pledge to refrain from the un-
lawful sale of Intoxicating liquor.
In the meantime the police are
busy transferring the large stock
Of liquors, wines and beer from
Benjamin's cellars to the station
house and the cells of the latter
place are stocked to the roof. De-
struction ceremonies are scheduled
for Saturday morning when Chief
of Police Ramsey and his men will
engage in the pleasing occupation
of breaking necks of bottles, heads
of casks and booms Of jugs and
spilling their contents upon the
ground.
1t was first suggested that the
stock be carried to the river and
destroyed, but the suggestion was
overridden as it was thought the
ceremony should not take place too
near Vidalia. It was next suggest
ed that the oil of joy be turned in
to some convenient bayou and this
may be carried out although the
idea has its objectors. The opinion
of those on the street is that it
should be turned loose in the gut
ter in front of the stationhouse.
Storm cellar sessions are being
held at the police station over the
matter. Chief Ramsey realizes
that he has delicate task in hand.
The destruction of the confiscated
goods must be complete, not even
one bottle of 25-year-old must es
cape, not one cool can Of foaming
beer must find its way to thirsty
throats. Plenty Of witnesses must
be on hand.
The ceremony will be unique in
Natchez and many citizens are in
terested to the point Of attending
lit.
Benjamin S arrest and the issu-
ling of warrants following closely
upon and developed in the case of
Sam Coleman and several negroes
who are charged with bootlegging
/ in and about the Bluff City UNDER
taking establishment in Commerce
Istreet. One Of the proprietors Of
lthe undertaking firm was also ac-
lcused but was found not guilty and