The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-10-08
COURT BELIEVES
PLACE SUITABLE
Court Holds That Open Sale Of
Liquor. With High License
and Enforcement of Law
and Order, Best Solu-
ton of Prob
lem.

the Fair Grounds. over the opposition
Of citizens OF Henrico County. Judge
r. Carter Scott said last evening that
ne had found the open sale OF intoxi-
cants. with high license and strict en-
forcement of law and order. the best
solution OF the liquor question. In his
court. he said. the trouble had been
with the Illicit sale by boot-leggers.
II any place Is suitable for selling
liquor. said Judge Scott. the Fair
Grounds is that place. The evidence
showed that the parties were suitable.
and that good order was maintained
on the grounds. The officers Of the as
ISOLATION would see TO it that no other
person engaged an the business. II he
should refuse to grant the license. the
sale would be limited to Illegal per-
sons and places. and the officers would
ind it their duty TO search for such
practices. On the other hand. by grant
ing license he would nave responsible
persons to deal with and to hold for
any abuses OF the privilege.
Must BE Suitable Places.
As to the argument raised by some OF
the witnesses. to the effect that no
place is a suitable one in which to
sell intoxicants, Judge Scott said that
was not a matter with which the court
could properly deal The law had. in
mentioning suitable places. presumed
there were such. The State Of Viz
ginia would certainly not take money
from an immoral source for licenses.
and the question as to the sale OF
liquor being inherently immoral, had
been settled by the General Assembly.
suncry legal points were also raised
and decided One Of these was that the
Fair Grounds are not contiguous TO
the city OF Richmond. within tho mean
ing Of the Nann-BSrd liquor law: that
500 persons do not reside within half
mile OF the place where liquor 10 70 be
sold: that one license should not en-
title the association to sell liquor at
four PAGES on the grounds; that the
measurement with q view to ascertain
ing the population should be made from
the exact spot OF sale
All these questions were decided ad-
versely 70 the protestants. and Judge
Scott ordered the license to be issued.
Citlse1s Are DeenAants.
After the docket for the term had
been called. and the motions In Henri
CO Circuit Court made and decided.
Leigh r Page and Hill Carter. repre-
senting the Virginia State Fair Assoc
citation. made formal application for
license to sell intoxicating liquor on
the grounds Isaac Diggs. representing
the oppxBition, asked and received per-
mission to enter the following persons
as parties defendant: Frank D. Bev-
eridge. VIM c. Bentley. F. W. Laugh
ton. W. E. Hazelgrove. W. c. Smith,
Jesse A. Ladd. James H. Chappell. H.
" Starke, R ]. Goodwin. ". @. Ma
hone c. Broaddus.. D. II. wisman.
David Parsons and Thomas Poindexter.
Inasmuch as license had been grant
ed in previous years. MI. Page an
nounced 1t was not the intention Of the
association TO take evidence except In
rebuttal
The court room was crowded during
the proceedings. number OF ministers
being present.
ApplSea1ss Are suitable.
Mr.. Diggs admitted in the beginning
that the applicants were suitable per-
sons to sell liquor, adding that the law
required Il to be shown by evidence
that the place was also suitable Judge
Scott commented here that the fact
that he had granted license in previous
years would indicate that he had con-
s,dered the suitabili Of the place.
Mr. Digs then called attention to the
provision OF law that the name Of the
responsible party must appear when
q corporation asks for license. ana to
end that feature Nj. Page announced
that Frank p. rraylor, Tor years dep
uty sheriff, would be that person. The
known to him.
Mr. Digs then addressed himself to
the proposition Of law providing how
license may be granted In rural COM
munssies in counties contiguous to
cities He contended that 500 persons
DO no. reside within half mile Of the
place where Il IL proposed that liquor
be sold.
F~uuA rev Ress4enees.
Jesse A Ladd was the A-st witness
He had with a tape line, measured
distance of a half mile down the Boule-
ward from the Fair Grounds. ana then
made a detour q: the approximate dis
,auce. and had counted only twenty
seven houses. six Of which we're va
on.. These were located in what -
known ~ seotts addition. The etos.,
Examination was brief and uneventfui
W q Smith. who had accompanies
Mr. Ladd. testified 10 the same eject
Ne said he dsd not ccnsider the
grounds q suitable place In which to
sell Honor. Cross-examined BY NJ. car.
a.. the witness said that ~nowhere on
ood's earth 10 . suitable place. an
srainst III. saloon everywherc. because
.t 10 against me and everybody else
A Measurement TO the north ana
>.ss IA been made BY }. II. Cha1peu
- IA zone upsthe Hermitage Roe1,
ara eassWard 20 Laburnum. where the
line ended IN the house. He 40 not
reached the Brook Roah. hee essne