Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-07-22

The police we're never 20 severely worked before,
saving upon one occasion. that OF the rot OF
July, 1865. Each night raid" - made upon
the street walkers, aud recently this has been
extended 10 the abodes of the "uniortunatos.
ia Que police precint in this city, on Saturday
night last. one hundred aud twenty abandoned
women were arrested while last evening lie.
soent made upon a house of III fame Ina tho
eighth ward, which resulted IN the capture OF
forty OF the wretched inmates. IN fact. all there
were la the building. Tho women OF the town
are araigned each morning AZ the TOombs Court
aud receive various punishment. some OF them
being hned IA amounts ranging from twenty hVe
10 one hundred dollars; and others, The more
hardened offenders. being sent 10 prison on
Blackwells Island for three. SIX, or nine months,
AZ the option Of the justice. The scene In the
Tombs Court during the examination or trials"
OF these Cyprians, passes description. A Hogarth
could barely render Il Justice. Shouting, singing
screaming. blasphemng the unhappy wrctches
swarm before the bar, some attired IN bedraggled
silks and satins. others In rags; some defiant
and reckless, some penitent and in tears,
and nearly all In state OF nt0xicaton;
even the habifues of that notorious coart
room have confessed themselves sickened
by the spectacles presented during the past tort.
night When this sight il supplemented. az ye-ter
day morning. by another--that OF n crowd Of the
companions of these miserable women--men
representing all grades OF society. bnt merged
Tor the time IN the stern democracy OF the pris
oner's dock, the picture receives even a more
startling coloring. "SOns OF tho first families"
hide their faces IN shame, and wait their turn to
pay tine and skulk from the court room, while
the thieves and pimps derive cheap satisfaction
from companionship in durcss with men Of
better character or better standing In society
Luckily for the feelings of many fond parents
these trials ara held at early hour Of the
morning, always beginning az six o'clock aud
young hopeful receives and satisfies the penay
before Dater faBiiIias has opened his eyes. IT.
the police keep up the movement there will he
reason to hope that the vice will not parade itself
in our streets so uubushingly as heretofore: but
tho great effect OF such crusades is that they are
short lived. spasmodic. and consequently OF no
perman benefit
Among the greater fountains of iniauity in
the metropolis, the concert saloons hold first
rank. These establishments are. comparatively
spcaking, OF recent growth; the first of the kind
the Canterbury was opened ia 1859 Since
that time new gardens" as they are singulary
termed, are constantly coming into public notice
uniil now the total number IN the city il some
thing over three hundred. Of these at least
one third are in one strect-Broadway. One aud
all. they are dens OF iniquity and breeding places
of crime. Tho Canterbury. !" the pioneer made
some pretensions TO decency for time. but
rapidly degeneratcd into resort for thieves, a
tauyink place Tor the very worst Offenders OF the
metropolis. In the winter of 1862 the State
Legislature passed law making il criminal
ohense TO sell liquors in any place of amusement
This was blow specially aimed az the concert
saloons. which depended for their success en-
tirely upon the mingled attractions of the song.
the dance and the cup. The police enforced the
law for time, but IL was ultimately disregarded
in all important particulars. The result. how
ever, OF legislative interference was 10 close more
reputable concert halls. and TO leave tho viler
dens wholly undistuFbed. The description
OF one OF these places oil resort will sui
foe for all. The concert hall il generally in
basement Ii you are disposed to look in on
this place Of underground lfo you descend a
flight of winding stairs, ana push by carefully
adjusted screens. 10 find Yourself in a long low,
brilliantly lighted room, redolent of the odors OF
the pit, and filled with men aud women of the
worst class. lou are no sooner within the doors
than you are pounced upon by that specimen OF
frsil femininity known in New York slang as
1.-THE pretty waiter girl" who inquiries in the
harsh and strident voice which too plainly indi-
Gates her .avocation,' what "yer1l have to
drink" IL you are sufficiently reckless or
poison proof, you will call for one of the beve-
RACES, the titles OF which glare upon You from
gorgeous placards upon the walls. You take
your seal at a small deal table, ringed with the
recent presence OF many beer mugs and whisky
tumblers, and lean back in the rickety chair, in
the most approved American style. The pretty
waiter girl" speedily makes her appearance and
seats herself beside you. You will notice that
she has presumed upon your generosity SO far as
TO provide herself with drink, I" this being one
Of the customs OF concert saloons. against
which no man who values his personal safety
will protest. Ii you remain long enough TO look
about you you will perceive at each of the many
tables in the cellar congregations of the most
extraordinary character, composed of the least
ma la srfff l.tta
bly, a visit of curiosity the former certainly on
the lookout for plumber; and at every table YOU
will see the inevitable waiter girl" intens on "or
ders, OF setting her trap for victims AT the far
ther end of the room, on platform slightly ee
waited. II the "orchestra, composed OF a dilapida-
ted piano, one or two rachitc volns, aud possibly
demoralized trombone These unhappy in
struments presided over by pnlegmatic Ger
mans, who from time 10 time endeavor 10
drown the horrd din of oaths, coarse language
and ossceuity by combinations of more effective
but not more harmonious sounds In the wine
list" that hangs on the wall you NAV read that
Johannisberger is 10 be obtained at two dol
lars the bottle, while " claret cobblers" and
brandy smaShes " are afforded at the moderate
price OF fifteen cents. ou will notice that every
member of the audience" who is not drinking is
smoking, and that all. without exception keep
up 81 unfailing stream Of expectoration. Pos
sibly, as you dwell for a moment on the dark
picture OF Yankee social life here presented. the
sistsrs al the adjoining table become involved in
some triring dispute and YOU are suddenly
awakened from your musing BY the crash of a
pistol. the scream of a wounded man. the rush of
an excited crowd. the smashing OF tumblers. hor
riole oAths, and cries, and an understandable IN
multi, and you beat a hasty retreat TO avoid de
tentlon by the police. Next morning YOU read in
the Daily Blower how Councilman Norton Ia.
came involved 10 a discussion with some visitors
at the concert saloon, III Broadway. last
evening, aud Was dangerously wounded by A Ms
tol ball. Such ! the picture in no respect
oyerdrawn, of the New \ ork concert hsll-a den
OF horrors which could not be permitted 70 exis,
one hour IN any European CITY In the concert
saloon thieves aud burglars concrecste IN
plan their crimes or divide their plunde,
here the most Infamous women come To seek
Tor victims here 90 the pimp aud panderer LEAD
the unrsry Of The town or of the interior ,ha
fuEloughed or disbanded soldiers or sailors here
does the III thief spend the proceeds of his de
predatons. and here the youthful snecpIa,or
scstters the results Of his fret robberie. 49,
learns new lessons IN nluity; here II i tha, ,ho
murderer nerves himself with maddeni,~ |
drseghts for his fearful work IL was fror,
concert saloon that Bernard Friery now waiti,. |
sentence OF death staggered 10 assassinate ~ |
brother ruffian. Harry Lazarus, the prize 6ghte,
here, with painful smile upon its concaye face
SIN sits continually. Ii Is safe TO say that IN.
concert saloons OF New York have been the ere |