The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-03-29
Progress OF the Municipal Rsvolutiou.


ARRssT OF OVER roHrY DIsREPuTABLE WOMEN
SCENE AT THE MAYORS 0FPICE--THHR COMMIT
MENr TO BLAcKwELL's ISLAND.
In accordance with order Issued by the Mayor Tues
day last between forty and Aty disrsputabls women who
were found walking in Broadway, Mercer Elm Crosby,
and other streets after nigha arrested The exe
cuticn of this order ntrue to Captains Kssnsr and
Turnbull who instituted to arrest all who might bs
found in the Eighth and Fourteenth wards These
worthy officials detailed number Of the policemen
der their command to assist the and be fore ten clock
the station houses Of both wards crowded with
women. Some OF these refused to go with the officers
until told that they would bs compelled II they offered
any resistance while others exhibited the perfect
indifference, and accompanied them without word OF
complaint. mother begged that her daughter might
be spared the additional disgrace Of being brought before
the public and promised IL they would release her. I,
start for the country by the 6rst train Of Her
treaties, however, in vain; exception could BE-
made in her case, and the daughter was accordingly
committed with the rest.
The OF the arrest OF these spread like wildare
among the others, and In hour after Broadway s~a
the other streets almost completely deserted by
them 1t Is particularly deserving Of notice that
men taken into custody, although several were
found In the con pany Of these The order
Mayor appears, did not extend to them 80 they
were allowed to pass unnoticed. This certainly was
distinction without difference. About eleven clock
Judge Bogart mace hs appearance the station house
ID.
vera OF the prisoners, but was promptly refused by
Lieutenant Warlow, and the Justice was obliged to
leave without efectng his purpose. Many OF the
fortur ate creatures who locked up the Eighth
ward station house elegantly dressed but those
who were committed to the Fourteenth were OF the
poorest class and many Of them appeared to be- ia state
Of desttuton There look after thesethey
seemed to be epdes arc to the majority Of them the
ommodations OF the station housss were to
those they have been accustomed TO.
Yesterday morning. they all taken TO the Mayors
Office, and as they marchsd In procession through the
fnlln hu anf
people, Upon their arrival at the City Hail. they pre-.
fented motley appearance aud as the sight some
what unusual the officials thronged to the Mayors Of
Ace to learn the OF the excitement. Some of tho
prisoners were MT than seventeen years Of age
weebs the and the varied from Eve months
to txo years hardly five minutes elapsed before the
Mayors Office crowded and the interest excited hy
thtr presence caused suspension OF all other business
for the time being. Just, Osborne took their Names
and made out for their committal the Peniten
tary BlacK wells Island Eleven were committed for
month"; the others for periods varying one 70
five months. Among them was one who II said 10 be a
respectable woman and who discharged the word
OF gentleman who knew her. and who happened TO be
present at tho time six others discharged through
the representations and influence OF their friends
fter OF of those who not fortunate aded
for her and told ptifui story OF their condition
before they took to the streets last They
hood but, Ike hundredi they failed and to keep
selves from starving they adopted their present mode Of
life. Another girl was affected by the position In
which ste was placed that IL feared she wouli go
into bysterics large number Of them the
Pepitentiary tie Of tho officers by whom
they we're arrested and II only in few instances
that affdavits were made out.
We understand that IL the intention OF the friends
Of soms OF them to have them liberated writ OF
babeas corpus while those who have must await
the expiration OF their term OF imprisonment.
From the following II will be seen that legal proceed
inss have been already commenced in their favor
Before Hon Recorder Smith
MARCH 26.-Habeos Corpus-In the matter of the
People rel Ellen Dtvins agaost the kcepsr of TIE
City Prison and PtDtntiary of The city and county OF
New York "A wit OF habeas corpus having been gr
ed by his Hor the Recorder returnaoe forth with d
body OF Frances loween Who, appears by the return
20 said writ bad been sicted and sentenced to tn
Psntentsry ty Justice Osborne, at the Ma ors Office
vsgrant--vi2, common prostitute-th petitioner
by her councillors Edmon Blapkman and B-nja j.
bankman, con,ended. with great icrce aud lear
and entirely leg not sustained by any law OF th,
state that the prisoner had been refused exsmna
top the privilege Of confronting her accusers
that she had been denied the rgat Of having the ,ss
Of her counsel at the me she brougnt before
the Justice at the Mayors Office that sts neither
vngrsnt . common pros titute had abe
SUCH that the arrest and nothing but
piece OF msliciousness the part OF the police ohee
who arrested her and that tho arrest male without
any reasonable probable cause Whatever; that the
prisoner. with s0ms forty other emales had been
rested the night before the charge, ana had
been drove up to the Mayors Office Ke many CATTLE
and that they bad all been regularly sau Uttered with
out hearing trial and without regard 10 their H.
bery, bad h sent by order Of the Mayor TO the Pen
tensry. The learned counsel,ors contsnded their
client was entitled to her discharge.
His Honor the Recorder forth with granted the praye
OF the Petitioner, and diEchargcd the prisoner.
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