Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-22
BEFORE THE POLICE COURT
Tramps and Migrants in the Procession
Today.
Cases of Youthful Offenders Who Did
Not Go Home-The Sem
fences Imposed.

"a
court this morning. but there was not much
business to transact and the delay did not
cause the hungry prisoners much trouble.
There were only seventeen victims in the
procession, and only three full-grown men
among them. Most of the prisoners were
colored boys and charges of vagrancy were
numerous.
When the procession started two young
colored men, William Clark and Walter
Stewart. were In the lead. and they plead
not guilty to a charge Of vagrancy.
Last night they came to the station and
asked for lodging" said an officer, land
they were unable to give good accounts Of
themselves"
u appear for Stewart" said Lawyer
Moss, and know that he is not vagrant.
His father lives in Anacostia and owns
considerable property"
late last nightr'
Il have been away" answered Stewart.
and had just returned from out Of the
why did you not go homer"
IT was late. and thought I'd wait and
finish my journey this morning."
But the street cars were running" said
the judge. why didn't you get on one Of
them and ride homer
nd, didn't have any change in my pocket"
that Stewart be discharged, for there is
nothing against him. He was not begging"
,a mAsking for lodging" said the judge lis
begging for assistance"
But the police stations offer induce
ments.'
IF they do don't know 1t. All the win
yer the dodgers have been brought in as
Clark said he belongs in Round Hill and
ne was going to leave here this morning to
return home. He denied that he even asked
was willing to pay the only 10 cents he had
for the privilege of sleeping on the floor.
Inc prisoners were released on their per-
Sonal bonds.
An Old Offender.
Peter Short. a man with one arm, next
appeared as vagrant, and the Judge
recognized him. because he had been in
the procession several times before.
Policeman Bateman made the complaint
against him.
He was on Pennsylvania avenue yester-
day afternoon begging" said the officer,
ana was stopping almost every one who
came along"
He begsed the court to release him, say
Ing his mother is getting old, and he wants
to see her again.
I'm give you one more chance" said the
court, and II you are found here after to-
day you will be sent down, and your SEN
tence will be more than thirty days"
George johnson, a young colored man
who went to the police station and asked
for place to sleep. was sent down for
ten days.
young white man named Joseph W.
Williams, who says he lives in Baltimore,
next appeared on a charge Of vagrancy
and suspicion, and he admitted that he had
begged of persons at the corner of Penn
sylvania avenue and 18th street.
Il came over here to look for a job" he
row.
Where have you been stopping?'
AT the wood yard" was his response,
and he exhibited his hand In confederation
Of what he said.
But you must not beg on the street."
the judge told him.
.! certainly will not beg If can help it."
said the young man. I'm sorry l had to
do it, and l assure your honor it's no pleas
ure to me-"
He was released on his own recognizance
Small Boys.
Eight little colored boys were called on
charge of having engaged in a game Of
crap.
THE only witness against them.'' said
Mr.. Pugh, is a colored boy who is in the
work house."
AS the witness was missing the case had
to go over until tomorrow.
James Dorsey, colored boy, who said he
understands all about the game of crap,
was in the procession. and the charge
against him was disorderly conduct.
WAS he noisy?" Mr.. Pugh asked.
No. SIR" answered Policeman Muller:
tho boys were engaged in crap game
and they were quiet"
How do you know he was in the gamer"
Il looked through a crack in the fence
and saw the boys in a lot.'
The boy denied that he was engaged in
the game and corroborated the evidence of
the officer that there was no disorder there.
but the court fined him So
The next case was that Of a white boy,
who was seen in alley witnessing
game of crap, and he was fined IS. Leo
Burns is the name he gave, and Policeman
Hartigan said he did not believe the boy
was a crap shooter.
But he was there" said the officer.
And the court imposed the fine.