Smith v. State , 52 Tex. Crim. 357 ( 1908 )

Appellant was charged by affidavit and information with opening a saloon in the City of Dallas on election day, and was convicted of the offense charged.

The only question worthy of consideration is as to whether the court erred in admitting in evidence, over objection of appellant, presented by proper bill, a liquor dealer's bond issued to R.H. Smith in the absence of proof that R.H. Smith and Bob Smith were one and the same person. The testimony against appellant depended almost entirely upon the evidence of one Erastus Y. Boyle, the prosecuting witness, who testified substantially as follows:

"My name is Erastus Y. Boyle. I know Bob Smith, the defendant in this case. I never seen him to know him until the 21st of May, 1907. There was an election being held on that day for city offices. Bob Smith is engaged in the saloon business. His place of business was about 129 South Houston Street. I was in Bob Smith's place of business on election day. I went in by the front door. I seen Bob Smith and two other men in Bob Smith's saloon on that day. They were standing in the saloon talking. This occurred in Dallas County, State of Texas. Before going into the saloon I saw several men going in and out of the restaurant; whether they went into the saloon or not I do not know."

The effect of this evidence was to affirm most unequivocally that the witness knew the appellant, Bob Smith, and that said Bob Smith was engaged in the saloon business in Dallas, and that his saloon was open, and that he was in it on election day. Under this condition of proof and under these facts, if it be conceded that it was error to admit the bond, it was immaterial. The information was drawn and conviction had under article 185, Penal Code, and all the State was required to prove was that defendant was engaged in the saloon business, and that the same was open by or under the direction of appellant. This made out a case. It was not necessary for the State to show that the accused sold, gave away or offered to sell intoxicating liquors. See Crowell v. State, 25 Texas Crim. App., 596.

There is no error in the record that could, in our opinion, have prejudiced or did prejudice the appellant, and the judgment of the court below is therefore affirmed.

Affirmed.

[Motion for rehearing overruled without written opinion. — Reporter.]