The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-03-29

Progress OF the Municipal Revolution.
AHRssT OF OVER FoBTY DrsREPuTABLE WOMEN
SCENE AT THE MAYORS oPFICB--THHm COMMIT
MENT TO BLAckwELL's ISLAND.
In accordance with order issued by the Mayor ON Tues
day between forty and afty disrsputable women
were found walking in Broadway, Mercer Em Crosby,
and other Streets after nghtfa arrested Tho exc
cutcn Of this order intruse Captains and
Turnbul who instituted TO arrest all who might bs
found in the Eighth and Fourteenth wards These
worthy officials detailed number Of the policemen I'M
der their command to assist them and be fore ten o'clock
the station houses Of both wards crowded with
women. Some OF these refused 20 with the officers
until told that they would DO 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.
start for the country by the Hrst train Of Her
treaties hosever, were in vain; exception could BE-
made in her case and the daughter was acco rdingy
committed with the rest.
The news OF the arrest OF these spread like wIdare
among the others, and In hour after Broad way us
the other streets almost completely deserted nv
them. 1t Is particularly deserving OF notice that no
men were taken into custody, although several were
found pany Of these women The order of ths
Mayor, appears, cid not extend to them they
were allowed to pass unnoticed. This certainly was
distinction without difference. About eleven O'Clock
Centre Market Aded the discharge OF SCI
yeral Of the prisoners but was promptly refused by
Lieutenant Warow, and 20 the Justice Obliged to
leave without efiectng his purpose Many o. the un
fortuI ate creatures who locked up the Eighth
ward station house were elegantly dressed but those
who were committed to thv Fourteenth were OF the
poorest class and many Of them appeared to be Ia
Of restitution There to look after thesethey
seemed to be frtendess ard to the majority of them the
modations OF the staon houses were superior to
those they have been accustomed to.
Yesterday morning, they all taken 10 the Mayors
M u n oh tha
streets they followed by OF hundred
people. Upon their arrival at the City Hail. they pre-.
sentsd motley appearance, aud as the sight
what unusual the officials thronged to the Mayors Of
fce TO learn the OF the excitement Some Of the
while others past thirty two had been only four
weeks the town and the rest varied from
TO two Hsrdly five minutes elapsed before the
Mayors Office crowded and the interest excited ny
thir presence caused suspension Of all other business
for the time being Justice Osborne took their Names
and made out orders for their commta to the Penten
tisry on BlacKwells Island Eleven committed for
month"; and the others for periods varying from 70
i've months. Among them was one who N saa to be a
respectable woman, and who discharged the word
OF gentleman who knew her, and who happened 10 be
present tho time Six others were through
the representations and influence OF their friends
sister Of one OF those who not Fortunate pleaded
for her and told most pitifui story OF their condition
had she raid, tried every means Of obtaining liveli
hood, but le hundreds they failed, and TO keep them
iife Another siI was so Affected BY the position in
which she was placed that IL feared she wouli 90
into OBSTETRICS large number OF them the
Penitenary tie word Of the officers by whom
they we're arrested, and was only in few instances
that afhdavits made out.
We understand that II IS the intention OF the friends
of scme Of them to hays 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 that legal proceed
inss have been already commenced in their favor
Before Hon Recorder Smith
MARCH 28.-HabeoS Corpus,-In the matter of the
People rel Ellen Dtvins against the keeper of tie
City Prison and PtDtntary u the city and county OF
New York a wit OF habeas corpus having been grant
I'd by his Horror the Recorder reurnaoe forth with d
rected 70 the keeper Of the City Prison. produce the
BODY OF Frances 1owden who, appears by the retura
10 said writ bad been convicted and sentenced to tn
Psntentsry by Justice Osborne, at the Ma yor's Office
by her councillors Edmon BlaDkman and Ben am J.
bIankman, conended. with great icrce aud Learning,
That both the srrest trial and conviction wholly
and entirely leg. not sustained by any law OF this
State that the prisoner had been refused exsmna
ton, the privilege Of confronting her
tfat she had been denied the right Of having the assist
Of her counsel at the mo che brougnt before
vaerant nor common prostitute had abe been
such; that the est uDjustdaoe and nothing but
piece OF mslicousness the part OF the police Office
who arrested her and that tho male without
any reasonable probable cause whatever; that the
prisoner with forty othsr females, had been
been drove up TO the Mayors Office hxe many CATTLE
and that they bad all been regularly slau entered with
out hearing trial; and without regard 20 their H.
berry bad been sent by order OF the Mayor TO the Pen
Tertiary The learned copnseors contsnded tnat their
client was entitled to her discharge.
His Honor the Recorder forth with granted the prayer
Of the petitioner, and discharged the prisoner