The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-04-18
u. S. GETS VERDICT
IN LIQUOR CASE
RICHMOND VA snac,o,

RICE OND, VA, Special
Unless the finding is set aside by
coGEt the verdict Of the Jury X n wfhieh
Friday found the Broad Rock Dis
ullery OF Chesterfield guilty OF several
offenses against the revenue laws.
cate the plant of the offending concern.
such procedure will spell the loss
of $1,000 to those interested in the en-
terprise, as that was the sum paid for
the property. OF course, no one sup
poses for an instant that Uncle Sam,
even IL he acquires lawful possession
of the distillery, Will continue to oper-
ate IT. The plant will be sold and the
money transferred to the public fisc.
ever, involves. a great deal more than
the value of the distillery. 1t possibly
foretells the CONVICTION of all the ON
GERS of the Broad Rock Company, who
have been indicted for supposed vio-
lations of the revenue laws; at any
rate, these defendants will be put to
their trumps to escape punishment.
AS has been repeatedly explained.
yesterdays case was what is known In
rem"-that is. prosecution directed
against the property itself, with final
confiscation as the ultimate result OF a
verdict favorable to the government.
In way. II was a sort of test case. as
the evidence was much like that to be
individuals operating the plant.
The argument of the United States
attorneys had not proceeded far yes
Court somehow got the Impression that
the government would win. And this
belief was not dispelled even by the
the defense.
The case went to the Jury at $3.50 P.
twelve men brought In their verdict
finding. was prompt to offer a motion
to set aside the verdict This will be
argued before Judge Waddill next
week.
Mr.. Hanson assigns. numerous ree-
sons-mostly technical-to sustain his
that the verdict should bet set set aside.
he. will make last stand In the Cir
cult Court OF Appeals.
ing the finding OF the Jury. briefly
sketched the grounds for his contention
that the verdict should be set aside.
He maintained that the District Court
was without jurisdiction to entertain
the proceedings in the present form.
because, although the coiIector.is not
ton was founded upon such seizure.
Moreover. according to Mr.. uanson's
upon presentment and Indictment and
proceedings "in rem" can only be had
as supplementary to previous convic-
ton.
Mr. Hanson further declared that tho
court had proceeded upon the assump-
ton that this was a civh case and had
Of the party having the preponder-
ance OF evidence" whereas the instruc-
lions should have been given as in a
criminal case-that is the Jury should
have been satisfied beyond a reason
a BILE doubt"
Great satisfaction IS felt among the
revenue officials at the victory OF the
government as Colonel Chapmans OF
fee has been iercely assailed by the
attorneys for the defense and especially
for the manner in which IL awaited Itself
OF the services Of Witness Ethelbcrt
Gilmore. a discharged employee OF the
Broad Rock Distillery.
Mr.. Elmore testified Il length as 10
irregularities he had observed while
associated with the plant and also
swore that brides had been offered him
to connive at frauds.
II is alleged by the government that
the Broad Rock Distillery defrauded
the revenue department out OF at least
$4,000 through its aston Of the laws