The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-12-28
MUST NOT DRIVE OUT HoBos.
Judge Glasgow Requires Police TO Prove
Refusal of work.

otBsEOW FOtlce TO frOve
Refusal of work.
There Was warm exchange of ideas be-
tween Judge Glasgow, Of the municipal
court. and City Attorney Fortson yester-
day afternoon over four men who were
charged by the police with being disor-
derry persons. The judge not only dis
missed the cases, bnt gave the policemen
an exposition of the evidence he desired IN
the cases under consideration.
Lieut. Bryant and Officer Williams ar
rested Peter Wilson. William spures.
William Robertson and A. Cunnington on
Tuesday night under the ordinance relat-
ing to worthless characters who live with
out apparent means Of livelihood. Off,
Ger Williams took the prisoners
into court, swore 10 the COM
plants and awaited developments.
Wilson pleaded guilty and then made his
statement to Judge Glasgow. He said
that he had been in the city about q
month, but had not gotten work. except .
day or 30. He had slept most of the time
in a room where thirty or forty other
stranded men had lodgings. so his ex-
penses we're not large. Officer Williams
then told the court that he had noticed
Wilson roaming around the city for
month and. so far as he was able to state,
the man had not done any work.
Judge Glasgow was not satisfied with
the evidence and stated that he desired
officers to know whether prisoners had
actually refused work before they were ar
rested. lie then ordered Wilson dis
charged. City Attorney Fortson remarked
that IL might be as well to dismiss the
other three under the present ruling.
Judge Glasgow asked Mr.. Fortson If
that was oil the testimony he had TO offer.
Mr.. Fortson replied he had other officers,
but implied that their testimony was of
the nature shown I'm the first case.
WELL" said the judge, II have stated
nay position in the matter before, and
don't want men brought before me unless
the officer knows they have refused work"
Mr.. Fortson said he had other proof. but
was not allowed to bring IL out. The
Judge said he had taken the statement of
the arresting officer. Mr.. Fortson then
spoke warmly of the evidence that had
been given. The judge differed in opinion
and the other three prisoners were turned
loose.
Wilson and Spures are not dangerous
men in the eyes Of the police. but with
Robertson and Cunnington II Is different.
Robertson is about the most dangerous
Law breaker in the city today. He has
served sentences in both San Quentin.
Cal, and Salem, Or. penitentiaries. At
the latter institution he made record
that places him among the stars of his
clasx-nve years in the ''pen" and all. with
the exception of two months. in chains.
lie is moreover one of the men who took
part ia the most desperate attempt 10
break out of Salem on record, ia which
three conylets and one guard were killed.
He started out IN Astoria several years
ago and one evening was watching fight
between two women when Past Smith, q
friend of one Of the participants. gave him
a piece OF his mind for urging them on.
Words followed. and Smith shot Robert
SOFA in the abdomen. Robertson picked up
q poker and chased Smith out OF the house,
Notwithstanding his wound. Smith was
sent tn the penitentiary az Salem. where
he VAS Joined q few months later by
Robertson. who had committed two
burg aries, one at The p&iies and one st
Portland. lie vas jailed on June , and
on Ju.y 8. together with other desperate
convicts, made bold break for liberty.
Tue guards reslsted, and . desperate
nght ensued, resulting in the killing Of
thrce convtcts aud one guard. Robertson
was lucky enough - escape and for q
month eluded his puFSaers. When recap
tured he vas put IN IoFty-e ght-poand
irons and we're them The rest OF hls time
in jall. When the authorities learned
what hari man he vas. they pardoned
smith. Robertson sss arrested Oh sns-
picioa og being implicated in the burglary
o: Mrs. Wi.Kiaskf's house on James street.
bat ~ss turned loose fer lack OF evidence.
Cunnington is a petty larcenist, and ths
police claim he is ''drunk roller"
Tue police claim that there are over 10
men IN the city OF Raeertsoa's stamp who
only want an opportunity TO tear the
town up" That Chsef Willard fel, slightly
pat out at Judge oiasgos's action Sas
shown By his guarded reply Ia FosT-IS-
rxII1exscEk reporter last evening when
asked What he should Instruct his men TO
DO. Il don't suppose II viii do any good
10 arrest them n0w." be said. and u viii
make il hard for the boys"
The police claim thai the policy Of max
ing men Of sell known bad character get
out OF town IS ia vogue from the Atlsate
10 the Paclhc aud that there is not oity
of any slxe bat keeps crime down BY pre-
venuon. The ponce look st the move CA,
gentlemen policy as one 81 TIE best
means Of prevention knosn.