The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-11
JUSTICE BIxBY AND oApE ALLAIRE
The Police Rebuked for their Zeal In Arrest
ing Little street Peddiers.

ing Little street Peddiera.
At tho opening Of the afternoon session OF
he Essex Market Court yesterday. OfIlccr
Heron led in Harry Grossman. a worry small
boy. ton years Of age. OF 1877 East Broadway
The boy was crying with fright Onlccr Heron
hold In one hand poddler's basket filed with
threads tape needles. and pins.
"OGlcer bring that child here. Justice Bixby
said.
Officer Heron stepped up to the desk and. az
he deposited his prisoner on the floor. the little
fellow could not even be Soon. he was 50 very
small.
Don't cry. my boy" said the Judge Then
turning to Onlcer Heron he asked What
charge have you to make against that boy?"
Onlcer Heron beckoned to Mr.. Henry Cross
man Of 42l Grand street. who came forward
and began accusing the little prisoner OF
obstructing tho sidewalk so that passers,
especially ladies shopping. could hardly paas
by. Mr.. GrOssman WINS going on TO say how the
little peddlers fairly lined Grand street. when
Justice BiNby said:
Oncer. you ought 10 be ashamed OF your
self Tor making such nn arrest. A few minutes
ago 4 was poor blind beggar: now 1t Is a boy
This is 4 shame, sir and you officers should be
ashamed Of making such arrests. You bring
here these Little peddlers. who are trying hard
To- earn Livelihood. and charge them with
olstructing the sidewalks. There is n law
which severely Furnishes any person obstruct-
ing the Sidewalks Now from the Bovery to
the East River. the sidewalks on Grand street
are moro than three-quarters blocked by tho
goods Of merchants. 1 have had occasion TO
soc officers driving on these little poddlers who
stand on the curbstones. and some OF you carry
canes. vt yon do not prevent this blocking Of
these sidewalks are blocked rs they are. shall
not allow tho law to be made use Of 10 punish
these children for tho benefit OF these store
keepers. The prisoner IA discharged"
Onicer Heron had hardly withdrawn before
Capt. Allaire stepped up before Justice Bixby.
accompanied by a well-dressed, respectable
looking hoy. who was crying bitterly. He. too.
was prisoner. and gave the name Of Henry
Stlger OF 81 Chrystie street.
ticc.
have nrrceted this boy your Honor. for
violating the Health laws" replied Capt. Al
What did he 2" asked the Justice.
saw him come out OF his house and throw
an empty pastebOard box in the street"
What. sir did you arrest this boy for throw
ing nm empty pasteboard box in the street,
vo,ar r, , EPspIld n, The Captain That Is
held strictly 10 account by our Commissioners. "
" THIS IS a shame sir. Now. Capt; Ailaire.
number of children and blind mon for obstruct-
ing the sidewalks Grand street is in a most
diSgraueiul condition. with the sidewalks
blocked more than three-quarters their width
by tho goods OF store keepers. who have no right
to crowd ihcm so, Instead OF asrrresting these
r, By what law can l arrest them. your
HonorH
You ought 10 know sir"
j. arrest them. will you hold thcm Judge 2"
That's my business. sir"
Other Justices have not"
" Bring them before me and give me tho evil
dence. and I'll show you what III do, sir"
You wont he on duty next week, Judge"
do mine"
don't see how you can hold them, Judge "
y decide on that myself Now Capt. Al;
laire. II was Police Commissioner | would
make more efficient officer than you. You are
a disgrace 10 the department"
Capt. AllRirc looked straight Mt Justice Bixby.
and his face suffused with anger. He turned on
his heel and went out of the court
Tothe reporter CnptAllaire subsequently said
that he was obliged to arrest the boy Stiger
for. had Com ISIS Toner passed by at tho time
he threw out the box. and had seen him take no
notice OF his doing so no would have preferred
charge against him. and fined him heavily II
NOT broken him; ! have always tried to DO my
duty faithfuly, said the Captain. and don't
think deserved the remarks that Justice Bixby
addressed TO me in open court"