Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-10-06
A PERIPATETIC POLICE COURT.
Judge Miller and a Wagon Goes About
Dispensing Justice.

The sixth precinct patrol wagon drove up in
Font OF that police station this morning at 8
o'clock In the wagon was Lieut. Noonan
seated under a large umbrella. In front of
that official was a table and on the other side
Of 1t sat Bailin Kendis. Many persons who did
not know Judge Miller thought that Lieut..
Eoonan was the judge and that no was going to
aold court in the wagon. That officer how
eve-. was looking after the cash business of the
court and he was ready to accept collateral
from all corners.
Bailif Hooe was ahead of time, as usual and
The judge was expected at $50.
The holding Of court in tho police station
was occasiOned by the necessity Of making re-
pairs and improvements In the Police Court
building. Those in charge of the improve
ments have moved along slowly that the
judge determined to vacate 1t and turn it over
20 the inspector of buildings in the nope that
the work will be completed before winter
weather breaks up the building season.
AN APPROXIMATION OF $3.50
vas made for the work, but rs the erection of
an ordinary brick cell room will not cost near
that amount, Judge Miller expects to use the
surplus to make such improvements to the old
building as will mt IT for occupancy hereafter
NO LoUSGERs THERE.
Holding court in the police stations resulted
in the exclusion of ali persons not having bust
ness before the court. Mere curiosity seekers
were not permitted inside. The prisoners from
the second fourth. fifth and ninth precincts
IN addition to those arrested in the sixth. were
the ones whose cases were called for trial at
the early session.
sHYsTERs AT A DISADVANTAGE.
conspicuous feature of the temporary court
early in the morning WAS the absence of the
large number of shyster lawyers who live on
small fees received from the poorer classes of
persons arrested This class of defenders did
not have such good opportunities for cap
ping" and they consequently did not get the
amount Of business they did at the old stand.
THE JUDGE Is PROMPT.
Judge Miller was on hand promptly at $50
O'Clock. but there was delay on the part of
the attorneys for the prosecution. Before they
arrived. however, the contingent-fee lawyers
were out in full force speaking to every man,
woman and child whose appearance indicated
that there was a charge against them. There
were thirty-one prisoners locked up in No. G,
or Court No. ].
OPENING COURT.
1t was nearly 9 o'clock when Bailiff Hooe
called the court to order. The business was
transacted in the sitting room of the station
not even a raised platform being arranged to
elevate the court above the small audience.
COURT NO. 2
Police Court No. 2 was held at the first pre-
cinct and all prisoners not tried at No were
given a hearing.
Lieut. Amiss, with the assistance of other
officers, had arranged the place SO that it was
gwen court room appearance. dock had
been imprOvised at the door leading from the
cells to the room occupied az a court ROOM
AT one end of the room was platform. and the
clerks and reporters tables were SO arranged
that there was no hitch whatever in the court
proceedings