Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 39, Number 110, 19 March 1914 — Page 7

THE RICHMOND PALLADIUM AND SUN-TELEGRAM, THURSDAY, MARCH if 19ll

FAGS SEVEN

(From Issue of Monday March 16)

"CHEEKS'

COHMITT

ADVERTISEMENT.

Fir"

GALLED WM

SHOW

MOT

Saloon Proprietors Will Not Stand for Affidavits Made by ' Imported 23eteetives or by

sponsible Local People Because Immediate Action by Prosecuting Attorney Will be IDemanded by Saloon Proprietors and Criminal and Civil Action for Lribel and Damaeo Will be Instituted in Event Charge Are Not True.

The following questions, inserted as paid advertising, appeared in both the Evening Item and the Palladium, Friday, March 13, over the signature of "The Citizens' Committee": "But just for argument's sake, will Mr. Gordon stake the case for his clients on the assumption and the assertion he is constantly making, THAT FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS THE SALOONS OF RICHMOND HAVE BEEN LAW-ABIDING, OR AS NEARLY SO AS SALOONS CAN BE MADE TO BE? IF IT CAN BE SHOWN THAT, IN SPITE OF PROMISES MADE FIVE YEARS AGO, THE SALOON KEEPERS HAVE VIOLATED THE LAW, BOTH IN LETTER AND IN SPIRIT, WILL MR. GORDON PLEAD GUILTY FOR HIS CLD3NTS AND LET THE PEOPLE PASS SENTENCE? WILL HE STAKE HIS CASE ON THE ENTIRE ABSENCE FROM RICHMOND'S SALOONS OF WINE-ROOMS, HOUSES OF ASSIGNATION, SELLING AT ILLEGAL HOURS, FALSE RETURNS AS TO TAXES, AND EVASION OF THE LAW AS TO BREWERY OWNED SALOONS? If he is willing' to take this position, we stand ready with a second installment of f acts and affidavits." answer both for my clients and myself to this challenge is its acceptance. We not only agree to this proposition, but we demand a show down of facts by some responsible party or parties, of "The Citizens' Committee," We are not calling any "Bluff." We are calling for the exhibition of the proof they say they have, we are calling for it in good faith and under all legal exactions. First, there must be some legally responsible local party or parties of "The Citizens' Committee to assume the liability of such accusations as they chdm they are in position to make. There must be no hiding behind the anonymous "Citizens' Committee." Let the man or men who dare put their names to any affidavit or newspaper statement charging specifically the saloon, proprietor or proprietors who are guilty of the offenses and violations which

are enumerated in the above advertisement, now come forward. It is their challenge. We accept it and stake our case upon it. We demand that some legally responsible local person or persons of the "Citizens' Committee" put his name to any specific charges they may make for three reasons: First, because whoever is conducting this "dry" campaign has imported detectives into Richmond in the past month both male and female detectives. We are familiar with the tactics of AntiSaloon League detectives. Some of them are now under indictment in this state for perjury, because they have brought false charges against saloon dealers in order to create popular prejudice for the moment in order to win a fight. These imported detectives would not hesitate to do the same thing here on the eve of election to win this fight. Therefore, we demand that if "The Citizens' Committee" has any specific charges they do not hide behind some imported talent or irresponsible local parties. Second : BECAUSE THE MOMENT ANY SUCH SPECIFIC CHARGES ARE MADE WE ARE GOING TO INSIST THAT THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY TAKE IMMEDIATE COGNIZANCE OF THEM AND USE THEM FOR A BASIS OF ACTION, and we insist that he be not embarrassed in the performance of his duties by having the affiants some unresponsible or imported parties who after they have loaned their names to create a temporary scandal, skulk out of town and fail to appear as prosecuting witnesses. THIRD: BECAUSE IF SUCH SPECIFIC CHARGES ARE MADE AND THEY FAIL OF PROOF IT IS THE PURPOSE OF ANY AND ALL OF MY CUENTS WHO MAY BE THUS DAMAGED TO INSTITUTE CRIMINAL AND CIVIL ACTION AGAINST THE AFFIANTS AND ALSO AGAINST ANY PUBLICATION WHICH MAY PUBLISH SUCH LIBELOUS MATTER. Now then, members of "The Citizens Committee", bring your proof. Be specific Don't beat arounjthe Lbush... Don't be afraid

to back up your own proposition. Don't be loo cowardly to sign your names. 1. Name the saloon proprietors who are conducting wine rooms in violation of the law. 2. Name the saloon proprietors who are conducting or connect--ed with any assignation house. 3. Name the saloon proprietors who are guilty of selling, at illegal hours. 4. Name the brewery that owns a saloon, in Richmond and name the saloon and its proprietor. 5. Name the saloon proprietor or proprietors who are evading their taxes, if you want to. But if you do we will name TWO members of your "Citizens' Committee" and other "dry" leaders of the city who are evading" their taxes and who have evaded their faxes TO EVERY ONE saloon proprietor you name. It will netbe hard for us to show that EVADING TAXES IS A SIN that is NOT PECULIAR TO THE SALOON TRAFFIC if you care to open up that issue. If it is going" to be an issue of personal integrity, honesty in paying debts and' legal obligations- that you- want toraise, the saloon: proprietors- of Richmond- will gladly meet you on that issue,. My clients- and I all are willing to eliminate all further argument, and stake our case-in this fight upon our ability to prove that the- saloons of Richmond for the last five years-, "have been1 lawabiding or as nearly so- as. saloons- can be made: f o be;.'" "bothi ihi letter and spirit." MjKJients and I all are willing to plead! guilty and let the publicpass sentence if legally responsible local people of "The Citizens" Committee" will' place their names-. to any specific- charges-, against any specific saloont proprietors charging them; with, any of the crimes they enumerated- and. such charges: enn be; proved. fcSIGNEDI J. BENNETT' GORDON-

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