Judge Lewis Seeks Revocation of Snohomish Liquor Licenses

After listening to the reading of the report of the Grand Jury yesterday afternoon, Judge Lewis made a few plain and pointed remarks. Referring to the granting of licenses to sell liquor by the County Commissioners, he said that a good many persons had a mistaken idea as to the revenue resulting therefrom. This money is not a benefit to the country, nor was it intended to be so by the law makers, but instead is used up in the prosecution of crime caused by the sale of this poisonous stuff. Men only are given licenses who are supposed to be possessed of 'good moral character,' but that there is a fraud about the matter is patent to all who are acquainted with the keepers of the lower dens in this city. Men have confessed in open court to keeping 'squaw brothels,' and yet they possessed licenses based upon the qualification of 'good moral character.' Such men cannot possibly get their licenses renewed, and with the certainty of having them revoked by a Court as stern in its administration of justice as that of Judge Lewis, it is doubtful if they ever try. The law makers intended to crowd out such fellows and to confine the liquor-selling business to good men; men who would keep only a good quality of liquor, who would not permit disorderly conduct or gambling, and who, having good moral characters themselves, would be a check instead of a license upon the vagabonds infesting the community. The crusade Judge Lewis entered upon a year ago against the vilest, most villainous elements of society has told with great effect from one end of Puget Sound to the other, and has entitled him to the lasting gratitude of all order-loving citizens.