Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-24
MIGRANTS ARE NUMEROUS
Gases of Tramps and Professional Beggars
in the Courts
Judge Miller Listens to Some Sad
Stories and Discovers a Worker
for the Post Office.


| strangers had to walk the streets. Many
of those who applied at the police stations
| and failed to properly account for them
selves were put in cells and charged with
vagrancy. The tramp problem has given
| the police a great amount of trouble dur
Ing the PAST few weeks. Citizens Of the
District have complained to the officers OF
| the bold conduct Of some of the tramps,
who hold up pedestrians and then in
| suit them when refused. Some of these
strangers have even gone SO far as to COM
| NIT assaults. and the officers suspect that
| the tramps are responsible for some Of the
burglarieS that have been committed.
The arrest of so many tramps here this
winter is making a decided increase in the
city's police record, as many as sixty OF
them having been arrested during one day
and night.
Many Prisoners.
During the four days Of this week there
have been 217 prisoners in the Police Court
cells, great many Of whom were strang-
| ers. There were Iorty-nine prisoners in
| the tolls this morning, and about 80 Fer
cent of them were strangers. In the trial
Of these cases the defendants tell of their
| trips across the country on freight trains.
and seem to think a twentyfour hours
ride is no more than 10-cent ride down
the river is to mar Y horest toilers
When Judge Kimballs procession started
this morning a strong, able-bodied man,
whose name was given as John Uuinlan,
was called, but there was no response.
There he is Policeman Wannen said,
pointing to one of the prisoners.
My name amt Quinlan," said the man.
What is it?'
John Casey"
The name in the information was chang
ed and the man plead not guilty.
He was on Pennsylvania avenue yester-
day 'holding-up' people," said the officer.
''At the Peace monument he stopped
number of persons, and the last one be
tackled was an old colored man. The old
man refused him and he followed him
around the monument"
"WhGt have you to say about this?" the
prisoner asked.
I'm not guilty." he answered. II wasn't
begging
What were you doing?"
well, was under the influence Of liquor
and that's ALL
Where is your homer
I'm from New York"
Have you any money!"
NO, sir
NO money for food" the judge remark
ed, but under the influence of liquor.
A sentence of thirty days was imposed.
Party of Eight.
Eight yourg men next appeared. They
had stopped at the second precinct station
| last night, because they did not want to
spend the night on the Streets and Officer
Carson added their names to his list OF
cases.
Four Of them have been here several
days, and one of them, Robert Reed, adj
mtted that he had worn out his welcome
at all the free lodging houses.
Three of them arrived here last night on
the Cincinnati freight Their faces and
hands were covered with SCOT and grease
What are you doing here?" Frank Wal
ton was asked.
I'm on my way to Baltimore from the
west" was his answer.
why did you go to the police station?"
Because / thought IT more honorable to
go there than to beg the price of lodging on
the street"
The other men offered various excuses.
one of them saying he came to get copy
of his discharge. Another one expected a
letter, while still another expected some
money by mail.
-Four of them were released to leave the
city, and the others We're given ten days
each.
Was Released.
William Harrison, printer, who belongs
here. next appeared vagrant.
Last night" said Policeman McCort, II
found this man drunk and begging at 10th
and Streets.
Il was drunk" the man admitted, but L
dent remember anything about the beg
ging:"
What is your occupation?'
I'm printer"
Lawyer Sillers said he knew the defend
ant.
I'VE were boys together" he said, and
I'll do the best 1 can with him. think
have some influence over him."
With the lawyers promise to act the part
of reformer, the judge released Harrison.
Several weeks ago man. who said his
name was Jim Anderson, arrived here from
some other jurisdiction, and has attempted
to live on the charity of persons he meets
on the streets.
He has been arrested more than once,
a Policeman MCCOrt
him.
Il found him staggering around the street
last night, begging for money" the officer
said.
Guilty" the prisoner said when ar
raigned.
Thirty days."
Sent Down.
An old man with gray hair and beard
was next In line. He answered the name
John Riley, and eaid he was guilty OF
vagrancy.
He's been boarding In Swampoodle."
said Policeman Newkirk, land yesterday
he was put out Of his boarding house. He
came to the station and asked to be sent
down."
Il think" said Mr.. Pugh, that a six
months sentence would be a charity to
him. He has his baggage with him, and
home is what lie wants"
How long do you want7" the old man
was asked.
TIL pension day..
when is thatT'
Fourth of March,"
Sixty days"
One More Man.
James Melville says he is willing to work
ct anything.
Yesterday ! was given job on the new
pest office on the iron work and / was to
have gone to work today"
That's good news for The Star" re-
marked Judge Kimball. "one more man
on the works.
I'm a printer said Melvflles compan-
len. Il came here because / heard there
was plenty Of work in the government Of
fice.'
And" remarked the Judge there arc
FIVE men and plenty Of Congressman look
ing after each job"
personal bonds" said the Judge. And
he added to Melville, you go right down
to the post office building and go to work.
Charles Vetter, cripple. went in Fritz
Reuters saloon last night under the in
nuence Of liquor and begged money. Then
he put out and the actions Of the