The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-08-07

Ow Police Court. Monday morning, of
all others, is the grand gala day at this
court. The large hall is usually occupied
by such characters as have time and dispo-
sition on Saturday night and Sunday to go
"slashing around'' the alleys and dark sinks
of infamy with which even Richmond is
afflicted. "High life" but seldom gives us
an opportunity of making pen and ink
sketches of it person and character, but
this deficiency is more than made up by the
number of representatives of all ages, sizes
and colors of slow life."
Here we find the grey-headed, grizzly
bearded, tobacco-stained and whiskey-
scented offender of seventy and more,
who, although tottering upon the brink OF
eternity, finds time to indulge in passions
which age should have destroyed. These
bear marks of lives of dissipation and vice,
against which moral influences seem to re-
bound as a ball thrown against q stone
wall. The individual of fifty, who, by
dissipation and crime, looks feeble seventy,
is often represented, and though apparently
the most hardened wretch of them all, de-
clares his character for twenty-five years
has been unspOtted by any suspicion of
wrong.
The young man or woman OF twenty
five, whose life should be devoted to somc-
thing of credit to themselves, is too often
found side by side with the old and con-
firmed offender, or with the less expert
enced of tender years. Our court like
those of other cities, is frequently called up
on to witness the evil doings of those at
this shape of life. Then too, are we fire.
quently called upon to witness the trial of
young offenders who, either by nature, i'm
moral training, or by force of example, are
guilty of all sorts offences against the law.
Such cases are calculated to awaken with
| in us feeling of sympathy. Our kind and
merciful Justice unites with his other quail
tiles an appreciation of the weakness and
liability to err of this class of offenders,
and renders his decisions, when required in
in such cases, tempered with mercy.
This morning the courtroom was crowd
ed with idle spectators, most of whom were
colored. The presence of such a number
rendered the hall extremely uncomfortable
to those who were present, either as specta-
tor OF otherwise. Had we been a specta-
tor, we would have been somewhere else.
The Justice, fresh from the reposc of
Sunday, would have found it impossible to
otstllu tiiC nWClbCluiS IlCdt anu ucllSIiJtul
scent usually found in the room, but for
the polite attentions of a crippled reporter,
who found pleasure in welding huge
palm leaf fan. The graceful manner of
handling the palm added much to the comfort
of the Justice, and enabled him to keep
cool in the otherwise oppressive atmos-
phere.
The sergeant, usually in a good humor
at the prospect of gathering in number of
fines, was somewhat irritated by the crowd
filling every aperture in which little air,
lust off spoilt fish, beef hides, vegetables,
&C., might enter. His stentorian voice was
constantly heard, crying "silence," but
there was no "silence."
Mr.. Richardson was as calm and innocent
looking as a lamb in pea season, while de-
tectives and policemen, as usual, added
largely to the number in the hall.
ANOTHER WIFE BEATER
made his appearance this morning, answer
ing to the name of William Meekins.
His wife appeared against him, who, from
appearance, had seen better days. Sc
positive was her evidence that her husband
was in the habit of treating her cruelty, the
Justice imposed fine of ten dollars upon
him, which he paid, doubtless thinking he
would make Mrs. Meekins pay for the
offence of appearing against him.
We differ with the Justice as to the pro.
priety Of disposing Of these wretches r
that way, as they go back to their homes
to repeat their cowardly and cruel conduct
They should be sent to jail OF the peniten
tiary, where they are deprived of the
power OF riding rough-shod over helpless
| women.