The Weekly Journal. — 1902-01-31 (Hartlepool, Cleveland, England)

FIGHT WITH MURDERERS. Daring Escape from Prison.  primits  Littman's TILIIOIAIf. Prrrawcao, January 30. John and Edward Biddle, two brothers, who Wee awaiting execution in the county gaol here for murder in the perpetration of a robbery at Newt Washington, escaped from prison at four o'clock this morning. The story of the escape, as eanated by the guards who ware on duty, runs as fellow : The prisoners sawed through the bus et tide cells, and, armed with revolvers, which they had petered, overpowered the three guards. Neat them they threw over some railings, end his Sell extant feet, being injured. Another th'y that, while a third they covered with their iseseivere. They placed all three in the dungeon, sad thee, after taking the keys, locked the guards timeheaMmionaly dressed themselves in the Meg in preession of the keys they were able brinks**, prima gates, and get clear away. Ikon amps not king discovered unlit the day gemde cisme on duty at six o'clock. Later in the day, &Wel, one of the warders, made • stateMai. according to which his wife, who was infatuated with Edward Biddle, visited the I rimers in his absence yesterday, and is regmesible for furnishing them with the saw and revolvers. lie also alleges that she left him and bee fear children during the night in order, as it is supposed, to meet the two Biddies Cl some piece agreed upon. The two injured guards are expected to recover.  In the House of Commons lut night, Mr Enema. asked leave to introduce a Bill to amend the law relating to the sale of intoxicating liquors and to drunkenness, and to provide for the rutignition of clubs. The Goverumeut did not at propoes to ark the House to give incures powers to refuse the renewal of licenses or to deal with the reduction of the number of public •house., ncr to Vetch the c.oeipenkadon question. The first part of the pre.ent measure aimed at reducing ci•makenness, which, since he had been at the 110:120 Office, he found was respousible for 90 per cent. ot the woret enmesh (`• Oh.") The Government proposed that • person found drunk and incapable 111 the streets might be apprehended and charged with the offence without waitiug for summons to be obtained. Any person toned drunk while in charge of a child wider serail years of age would be liable to a month's imprisonment, or a fine of 40s. If • married men became an habitual drunkard his wife would be entitled to apply for • separation under the Summary Jurisdiction (Married Women's) Act. A married man would also have protection against a drunken wife, aud be able to get a separation. cCheerse) If an habitual drunkard attempted to purchase liquor within three years of his coneicuon as s..els, he would be liable to a penalty, and the publican 'erring such habitual ..ruukard would also he punished and the conviction endorsed on hie license. A record of these convictions would be kept, and if Justices renewed a license to a man with five such convictions in five years the police would have power to appeal. He believed these measures would prove a very elle.eive check upon drin Jennies. (Cheers.) Gra. ers' licenets and other licensee, over which hitherto the Justices had bad restricted jurisdiction, would cores under their control. in future the date of the annuel licensing meetings would be made uniform throughout the ccr.ntry. With regard to clubs, the ..cvernment did not wish to int.rter.at all with the genuine, Ice-n,. well-conducted club, but there were many elebs which were not clubs at all, but mere oriu .itig dens. (Hear, bear.) Ally aiterstion in toe law must appiy to every club —to the clubs of St. George s, Hanover-square, iv well as the clubs of St. I..eorge's-in-the-East. ( Laughter and cheers.) No ffistinetiou could be drown. The (lovernmen;; proposed that all clubsebonld be registered, and no club which was not retdatere4 abou.d be allowed to supply any intoxicgting Ii ittor whatever. The nenalte for breaking the provision would be very heavy tudeed-110, or a inontia'a imprisonment, or both. The registration of clubs would he made essy, and as he thought • .ocal ugh,teition a Abority in each nistrict would be hest, he hod mode the Clerk to the Justices the registration authority. Each club would have to Wettish to the Clerk to the Justices particulars on • form to be prescribed by the tiome Office, setting forth the object of the club, the regulations, and the number of members. Ia conceesion, the right hon. gentleman appealed to all temperenre reformers to help forward this Sal as an honest attempt to aced with • Anjou evil. (Cheers.) I .11r