Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-08-05
A BOSTON COURT.

4 Lady Arrested for ObstructiRg the Side-1calks
One of the most extraordinary cases ever
brought before legal tribunal was witnessed
in the Police Court on Saturday. An officer
complained of young and remarkably hand
some lady for obstructing the sidewalks OF
Washington street by too great display of
clinoine As it is understood that the lady is
highly connected, we will call her Mary Smith,
and not expose her true name.
Before the complaint was read, Judge Russell
inquired as to the whereabouts Of the prisoner.
The officer replied that the lady was waiting in
the entry; that himself and two others had ell
deavored to squeeze her through the door-ways,
but they were too narrow, and he wished the
Judges advice in the premises.
Judge said that it was an extraordinary case
tile constitution guaranteed to every one an
open trial, and lie would not hold session in the
entry even to please lady. Undcrthe circum-
stances, he recommended that Miss Smith he
moved from the entry to the front door, and he
thought that she must spread considerable not
to be able to take her place in the prisoners
dock.
The experiment was tried and found to ans
wer admirably-thc door being some twenty
lcct wide very little COMPRISING was needed
and with trown of Indignation upon her pret-
ty brow Miss Smith found herself face to face
with the Judge, and listened to the complaint
which was read to her.
The officer testified that half dozen times
during the week he had been obliged to step
from the sidewalk to enable the defendant to
pass. Once he came very near being run over
by a passing carriage, and he inquired of the
Judge whether the city government would have
allowed pension to his widow in case he had
been killed.
The Judge said that he should reserve his
opinion until some time next week on that point,
and inquired whether the circumference of the
lady was not produced by natural causes
The police officer said that lie was the father
of sixteen children, and if he was lucky, lie ex-
pected an addition to bis family next month.
He had never known his wife to occupy half so
much space as Miss Smith, and he hoped she
never would, as he disliked twins.
The court rebuked the leyity Of the man, and
told him he must trust to Providence.
The officer said that he should, buff Providence
continued to favor him he meant to petition for
an increase of salary, and he thought lie ought
to have it.
Tue Court intimated that his remarks were
irrelevant to the case, and inquired if he had
any further testimony to offer.
The officer said that lie had. He hadrequested
the prisoner two or three times not to stop on
the sidewalk, as people were unable to pass
without going into the street, which at times
was inconvenient to ladies wearing paper-soled
shoes, owing to the outrageous manner in
which the thoroughfares were watered.
The Court, in summing up, said that the evil
was one of great magnitude, and should be
checked by vigorous measures. There was no
statute under which too great display Of crino-
line came, but he should take the responsibility
of innicting fine Of $5 and costs, and lie hoped
that it would be warning.
This fine was promptly paid and Miss Smith
was discharged.-Boston Herald, 10th.