Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-29
THOSE BAD PICTURES,
They Are Exhibited in the Police Court-A
Fine Imposed.

A"ey are E1nlDIted In the Police Court-A
Fine Imposed.
The photographic pictures and those for the
bill boards such as are used as advertisement
OF the Lilly Clay Gaiety Company and about
which SO many complaints have been made,
were placed on exhibition in the Police Court
today. They were brought into court by the
officers of the first precinct, who made
move against all parties concerned,
in order that they would not miss
the right person should the court
decide that the pictures were of an immoral
character. The persons whom the officers had
notified to appear for trial were Eugene Herman,
proprietor of Kernan's Theater: George Gallag-
her, manager and treasurer of the company;
air. L. Monkey, the city bill poster, and George
woody and sherman Harris, who are connected
with the theater. They are employed 10 place
the autographs in store windows.
THE Law IN THE CASE.
The law under which the charges were made
is an act of the legislative assembly 1t pro-
vides: SIN case any bill poster shall post any
placard, bill or advertisement Of an immoral
character he shall be fined, upon conviction.
not less than 80 dollars for each oifense,
ana any owner or occupant of any
property who shall grant permission to
a bill poster or bill posters to post ON his, her
tisement OF an immoral character shall be fined
not less than IS nor more than SO for each
Onence; and the person or persons ut whose in
stance or for whose benefit the said bill. o. bills
may be posted shall be similarly fined
THE PICTURES DISCUSSED.
The first move made in the case was to ex-
hibit the pictures. and referring to the law the
court remarked that this law was different
from others. 1t provides penalty for a GER
tain offense and leaves it to the court to de-
termine the nature of the pictures. The court
thought that if witnesses were present to
show that their moral sensibilities had been
shocked it would help the court materially.
But, said Mr.. Dumont, these people will
complain to the police. but when the case is
called in court they will not come to the front"
Continuing. Mr.. Dumont said: "Busy people
don't care about these pictures. But the idle
notice them and they also demoralize
the children" After further discussion
as to the law and the pictures,
Lieut.. Amlss was sworn and questioned by
the court as to the difference between these
and other variety bills, and he said that these
were worse than the general run of bills Wit
ness told Of the complaints that had been made
Of the immoral nature of the pictures
Gen. Z. c. Darlington, counsel for defense,
conducted an amusing cross-examination of
the witness, which evoked laughter several
times.
Policeman Kendall was called, and when
questioned he said that the show was not near
as bad as represented in the pictures. He said
he had been in the theater many times and the
plays are such as can be seen with propriety by
ladies and children. None of the Objectionable
pictures. he said, were posted or on exhibition
in the theater.
The court heard statements of Mr.. Herman
and Mr.. Monkey. What they wanted was o de-
cision in the case to determine their future
course. They stated, however, that these pic
lures were no worse than are used ut times by
other theaters.
JUDGE MrLLHR's REMARKS.
After they had fully stated the case the Judge
had something to say in the matter.
''Any of these pictures" said the Judge,
THAT make our wives and daughters turn their
heads and blush will have TO come down. The
pure women Of the city have q right to walk
along the streets without their ewes
meeting. these pictures that cause them
to blush. If only one woman was
made to blush she would be
entitled to the same protection that a thousand
would. Pictures showing the light foot of
dancer or their agility are not necessarily inn
moral, but some of the pictures before the
court come within the provisions of the law"
Mr.. Herman fined IS and the charges
against the others were dismissed.