New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-06-14
VALE VERSUS FEMALE Attire.

DR. MARY L. WALKER AGAINST POLICEMAN PICKETT
THE OFFICER CHARGED WITH IMPROPER CONDUCT
THE TESTIMONY AND TaE DBFgSsE-THR OFFICER
RlPRIMASDED AND THE CASE DIsMISsED-DESCaIP
TIos OF THE OBJECTIONABLE COSTUME.
The case of DR.. Mary L. Walker against Policeman
Patrick H. Pickett Of the Eighth Precinct examined be-
fore Commissioners Acton Bergen and ManieTe yesterday
afternoon in the Metropolitan Police Court very
large crowd drawn bither mainly through curiosity 10
attendance and considerable interest manifested in the
proceedings
The charge against the officer for improper conduct
based upon the affidavit Of Mrs. Walker The specification
tet forth that the complainant arrested the 5h instant
and charged with wearing male attire but released from
custody the sergeant duty in the Station House The
street front Of store which she had entered for the purpose
making purchases and tina, the officer had twice
rested lady and took her TO the Station House merely
the purpose Of asng the eiGcdns M nsd
lion House NJ Charles s Spencer conducted The defense
The following are tie main points elected before the Comms
TESTIMONY OF MRS WALKER
After being swOrn DR. Mary L. Walker said live at No
10 Laghsti am Praeeng physician and surgeon, and
as such served in the aoI army oa s SIs 4 o
arrested by two policemen who TOOK me TO the station
male attire Amer some discussion the Sergeant behind the
desk released have this style OF dress year
and have always been treated with respect Many female
medical students the costume for the Tat
long sweep the streets and Sidewalks and when hoops
are worn it is possible for lady walk in wind go
I'D stairs without exposing her limbs We could 60 the
top OF Bunker Hill monument or the Capitol with deceney
graduated In 1865; have been in the civil and mt ry
service have been treated with consideration by President
Lincoln CheJu Chase and other respectable meD while
clothed in this style Of dress the costume from
high moral principle and believe that II 1t we're fashionable
the reputation Of many would be better than they
Mr. spencsrI do not want Grafton from Mr., Walker.
Mr.. Acon7Go on wen hear You. We've nothing to do
with your mode Of dress
Mrs Walker continued The policeman wanted to see her
medal and wanted me TO with him. had no idea OF bis
arresting me- There only small crowd; but
knew policemen to arre band Of for creating
answered ironically. NO He then told an officer to slow
me out through the crowd had difficulty in getting
but annoyed by who wanted arrest me took
refuge The N@ York Te Office under the Of Officer
McWaters.
Mr. Charles Spencer said was mistake TO assert that
could wear any dress she peases From the begin.
ming OF State law IL has been msdeme AMOR 10 dre ia mems
clothing and II she attracts crowd it the duty the police
her Dressing IN this neutral manner and attracting
a crowd is msdemeanor Women OF the highest respeca
by have said the present style Of dress inmodss
Officer Nelson testified that the evening tie arrest
crowd of 900 persons collected IN Canas calling ont
Come and this woman in mems clothes Mrs Walker
refused 10 DO taken 10 the Station House and told the police
that If he arrested her she would have him broken
lady Of the store said she was perfectly willing TO have Mr
sergt Schofod- busy writing my roll when the lady
brought IN she very defiant another prisoner had
Mrs Walkers name and she exhibited medal the officer
did not care about pressing the charge be brought her in
merely to disperse the crowd
Miss Mlef-I employ ed in millinery store In Canal ST.
this lady came n and looking hats crowd
twice to burst in the door and asked hin 20 protect her
home he asked where home was and she replied Any
place where the Stars and Stripes fly II about o'clock
n The evening Ms Walker would have gone out Immediately.
d. T. b. Dalton offered to testify in regard to the reputa.
ton OF MIA Walker while In the army which ruled out
on the ground that If she the miserable wretch
The earth IL would have nothing 10 DO with the case
MI Spencer Ior The defense said peQD have w Isbt ~