Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1865-11-12
ON Businese Omce
LOCAL MATTERS.

Y REcORDER's COURT AND CITY JAIL.
IN appearance, its exterior is not unlike
other buildings; but the retinue OF Office
holders, turEkeys, police and smooth
faced attorneys, who congregate daily at
its doors, cannot fail TO attract the atten-
ton Of the passer-by; and, during the
session Of the court, on the other hand,
standing in groups, planning and devils
ing, can be seen thieves with their friends,
loafers with their allies, gamblers and
their companions-wretcheg women
who cannot look back without a shudder
10 days when they too had a bright sun
shine, a green lane, in their existence
now looking collected and brazen in the
very degradation and wretchedness of
their calling, confOunding you with gazes
Of dissipation and d~ebauchery, despairing
enough 10 draw signs from hearts of
adamant. Merely glancing about YOU,
and pushing your way through this con-
glomerated mass Of depraved humanity,
you find yourself in the midst of another
crowd-around the Recorders Bench.
Here you viii find crime and misery
fearfuily p.csured-poverty and rags in
close contrast with smooth faces and ele-
CANT apparel-wslking pomposity and
conceit in the form OF diminutive, bald
headed lawyers, with brass exceeding
brain-and the small army o. hangcrs-on,
idlers, etc, usually found around such
places. The prisoners are there, and
what are their crimes, is a matter which
pales into insignifcance when compared
with the reality Of what they are. The
flnst case for trial is probably a trivial
one-drunkenness OF misdemeanor-
the prisoner at the bar being dealt with
lightly and, II released, what a beam
Of JOY crosses the c~Ountenance. and how
hastily, and with what emotions, he re-
traces his steps into the pure, clear at
m0sphere? He is free. The place is
cleared, and the next prisoner makes his
appearance before the bar-a cookbook
ing. wel-dressed, ndapparently respect
ableindividusl, charged with some fearful
crime. Countenances, how deceptive
Here you have the praeticed scoundreI-
on who is constantly conjuring up
schemes Of daring villsiny, or, perhaps,
the murderer, whose hands are vet COW
cred with the blood Of his victim the
case being a fresh one, he is locked I'D.
That cleaning, restless eye, as he passes
out, falls upon you-the murderer's gaze!
Drunken, blasPhemous women, sentenced
10 stated periods Of confinement, make
f0r a younger and handsomer one,
protection from the abuse and
maltreaUmsnJ Of her husband. The old
tale. Beginning thus early in life To
taste the cup Of bitterness, and forced
thus 10 ask protection from him, whom
but a short while ago, she would viii i
lingIy have sacrificed her life: with this I
dangerous request granted, begins the
first step to crime. She is succeeded in (
her turn 10y others Of her own sex-may- {
hap oil visitors 10 this place r
with haggard, paint-and-chalk be-
smeared features, ~disheveIled hair,
with fashy toggery, and Z
ever perssting in throwing mena- d
IAAA EAAAl-S al HIS h~-EAIutI-llN I
lr boldly staring the audience out Of all q
s-ountenancc; for her noisy, Lrawling [
lebauch Of the night previous she is re- 7
nanded, and expecting aid from that
male companion upon whom she, but too
onfdently, relies, remains as defiant as I
-ver; but "hope deferred maketh the O
Ieart sick" and seized with sudden ,
bangs Of remorse and despair, she would
that which belongs to God alone
-Life-and is but too apt TO succeed T
Within the past five years, no less than O
even or eight Of these unfortunate q
Eretches, have thus, here in Memphis, T
ended their miserable lives. To those C
who would study the different phases Of
human nature, we say attend this Court, q
the stepping stone 10 the peniteutiary 4
md galiows-and we viii guarantee them d
sight, which will readily recompense a
them for their trouble or loss Of time.