The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-10-05
sMITR is AFTER THEM.

The Superintendent of Police Will Sup
press Well Known .'Mashers."
Superintendent of Police Smith has I'M
dertaken the suppression of an evil which
is of recent birth, for which he will un-
double ly be made the recipient of thanks
aud due appreciation from the decent ele-
ment of this city.
Sidewalk "mashers," who have made it
next to impossible for respectable wom-
an to walk the most public thorough
fares without being insulted, are on his
list. They are TO be suppressed. II neces-
sary they will be placed under arrest, and
Justice O'Donnen will take care that one
lesson will be sufficient. The sidewalk
"mashers" are perhaps not confined TO
the lower section of the city, but it is a
fact that 1t is the lower portion of the city
that is the chief sufferer from these
Scoundrels.
The resort of these people is from City
Hall on Newark avenue to Enoch Smith g
saloon, and from that place on Montgom-
cry streas to Gregory street. Who has
not seen them? Who has not been in-
suited by them? Letters now in posses
sion of the Superintendent show that
some of the most respectable ladies in the
city have been insulted. and many prom
inent business men jeered at when in
company with ladies, and frequently
has assumed such dimensions that a
woman is as apt to be stopped as she is
allowed TO pass without having a vile
epithet hurled at her.
Last night the "mashers" were out in
full force. On the City Hall steps there
were at least dozen. Some We're mar
ried men. Their faces are as familiar in
front of the hall as is the rcketlysdoor OF
the main entrancd. Apparently they are
never home.
or the dozen persons on the steps last
night all were there to smile and chirp
at passersby. Women on their way to the
Opera House were grossly insulted. The
most disgusting language was used.
Opinions on the appearance OF women as
they passed were expressed in words OF
profane and indecent. Exclamations
''Ah, there" "G-t on to thatP' "Are you
in a nurry?" Isn't she out of sight?" "ls
she married." are examples of the most
polite salutations that greeted those who
passed. Ladies frequently glance up in
surprise ut these remarks and the loungel
taking the glance for an invitation tc
come on" often follows and accorts the
woman.
Near the entrance to the Fourth Regi
ment Armory is another hanging out
place. Its frequenters line up on the
sidewalk, and if it is convenient. refrain
from expectorating on women's dresses
as they pass; ifit is not, the dress il
ruined by tobacco juice.
At the junction of Montgomery street
and Newark avenue Gov" Green's an
gels hang out. They would not take any.
thing that is hot OF nailed Politeness is
as foreign to them as cleanliness
They insult everybody. No Discrimination
is made. They block the sinewalks aDo
on more than one occasion, when asked
to permit lady to pass. have replied
Let her go TO -" Occasionally OF
Hartnett's cornsr there will be seen
gang, but Mr. Hartnett causes them tc
move on. AT Enoch Smiths there il
always gang. At Gregory and Mont
gomery streets another set is encount-
cred. They are equally vile and possess,
perhaps, more scandalous tongues
This is the gauntlet women have to ruf
in order 10 get down town. They canno