Norwich bulletin., 1922-08-16
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
The Grlswold Cider Case.

MT Editor: The prosecution of John Potter for the illegal sale of cider, seems to be the one case that does not reao- fly down with the public It is not strange, however, that the people of eastern Connecticut should feel a deep interest in this matter for it is gener- ally believed that this cider nuisance has Deen going on for a term of years It is marvel that either the state or fed eral authorities have not taken steps to stop it, long before. For the pa st fire years or more, the tipplers of GrisvoId and Noluntown have celebrated with cid CT drunks and everybody, from the school boy up, think they know where they got their cider. It has been common re- pute. But what seems to be beyond all reasonable comprehension in connection With this cider case, is the verdict of me jury that was impansled, to decide Wnether or not the 129 barrels of cider. taken from John Potter's cellar. were kept by him for an illegal uurpose This was the only point that jury had To decide and they were, of course sr,n- posed to decide it according to the evi- oence presented to them, in court and not on anything they might have heard or seen outside. We do not share tbe oplnions, expressed by recent letters. in the papers, in connection with inc members who composed this jury that they had suddenly become pro-saIoon- ists and that the clergyman on 1t was lshely to become a cider vender himself On the contrary we believe that the des- cons and minister, in this panel are still prohlbltlon1sts and that their decision
 Ill the matter simply shows that all men are not constituted to weigh evidence. It was simple problem that this i,,rv nad to solve. They were only to de- cioe whether or not the l29 barrels of cioef' taken from MT. Potter's cefsr
 were Kept by him for an illegal purpose.
 TO reasoning mind, there was rtt1e eVloence, except on one side of the oues
 ton and it hardly seemed necessarv for
 the Jury to retire to a room in order 10 reach a decision. There was res lv no evidence by the defence. Their nre-
 tense at evidence, consisted of the denial or MT. Potter, which was expected. the sophlstry of his paid attorney and two or three vinegar letters, which had ev loentiy been obtained, by MT Potter to meet an emergency like this, which he nao reason to expect might occur, from the numerous complaints and Drotests 1 which it is reported he has reee;ved fror, the wives and mothers of those made drunk. on cider. To prove that the cider
 was Kept for an illegal purpose. there was exhibited to the jury pharaphernalia l necessary for conducting a retail cider
 business, consisting of numerous i'm
 nels of varying sizes, glasses for sell Ing by the drink. an assortment of meas. l ures and a supply of corks and cobs
 suitable for stoppers to bottles and jugs
 and the testimony of the state police that 1 this kit was taken from the cellar with
 the cider. The jury were presented witt
 and took to the jury room with them 1 the papers, showing the findings of tht town court. which was positive proo,
 that the cider was kept for an illega purpose, and we fail to see how a fur,
 could have wished for any further evi denoe. The town court found Potte
 guilty of the reputation of selling, whicl
 finding was proven by the unanimou
 testimony of prominent citizens of botl
 Griswoid and Volutown, democra an, republicans and of various religious be } liefs. It also found him eunIty o |. keeping with intent to sell and an actua
 sale which was proven by the testimon,
 of member of the state police, wh ! went there in disguise and bought tw jugs full. Against this testimony in lh town court the defense offered no tes tinonv. save the simple plea of not gull ty. The finding of the town court eoul
 not possibly have been different and a
 this finding was the principal evidene submitted to this jury. we are not SUI prised that most people, including tn defendant, were astonished at their vel
 dict
 OBSERVED. voluntown. Conn. Aug. IS, 1922.