Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-04-02
tue KANcAROo COURT.

THE KANGAROO COURT.
The most interesting Of these i'm
promptu clubs Is the one called In the
vernncular ''The Kangaroo Court. III
Is found almost entirely In county jiils
In which petty offenders and persons
awaiting trial are confined. During the
day the prisoners are allowed the free
dom of n large hall, and at night they
lodge In cells, the locks OF which are
sometimes fastened and sometimes not
The hall contains tables, benches, daily
papers, and, In some instances, stoves
aud kitchen utensils. The prisoners can
and do walk, jump and play various
games. After while these games be-
come tiresome, and the kangaroo
Court" Is formed. IL consists OF sli the
prisoners. and the officers are elected ny
them. The positions they MI are tue
'.judgeshIp,' the "searchersbip, the
"spankership," and general 'juryship.
To illustrate the duties Of these various
officials, shall give personal expert
ence In a county jail In New York state
It was my first encounter with the "han-
garoo Court"
had been arrested for sleeping In an
empty "box-car." The wachman found
me and lodged me In the station-house'
where spent most gloomy night won
dering what my punishment would DE-
Early In the morning | was brought De-
fore ''the squire He asked mo what
nv ua me might be, and ! replied that
Iii might be Billy Rice"
"what are you doing around here'
Billyy" he quericd further.
"iooking for work, your Honor
"Thirty days," ne Numbered Mt me,
and | was led away TO the jail proper.
had three companions at the time, ana
after we had passed the sheriff and Ms
clerk, who had noted down all the facts.
imaginary and otherwise, that we mad
cared to give him about our family ms
tories. we were ushered pellmeil INTO the
large hall. Surrounded In tw'nknng
by the other prisoners, we were asked 20
explain our general principles ana ms
demeanors. This over, and Few sa'u-
tations exchanged, a tall and lanky rogue
cried out in loud voice:
The kangru will now klect.
There were about twenty present, ana
they soon planted themselves about Us
in a most solemn manner. Some resteo
on their launches, others ioungeu
against the walls, and still others sat
quietly on the flag-stones. As soon ~
quiet had been reached, the tall ieiio"'
who, by-the-way, was the Judge III
structed a half-grown companion, whom
he nick-named ''the searcher, TO oring
his charges against the newcomers. lie
approached US solemnly and in most
conventional manner, ard said:
"Prizner-you Is charged with havin
noodle In yer pockets. Wha' does We
plead-guilty or not guilty!
was the first Inf line, aud pleaded mol
guilty.
.Are YOU willin' TO be searched!
asked the Judge.
II am. your Honor" replied.
Then the searcher inspected all my
pockets. the lining OF my coat, the ieath,
er band inside my hat, my shoes ana
socks. and finding nothing In the shape
OF money declared that ! was guiltless'
"You are discharged" exclaimed the
Judge. and the iurymen ratified the de-
cision with grunt.
A Young fellow, n vagraut by profes-
sion, was the next case. He pleaded not
guilty. and allowed himself 10 be search
ed. But unfortunately he had forgotten
solitary cent which was in his vest
pocket. Ii was quickly confiscated, and
he WAS remanded for trial on the charge
OF contempt Of the "kangru." The next
victim pleaded guilty to the possession
of thirtv-six cents, and was relieved oi
half. The last man, the guiltiest OF ALL
although he pleaded innocence, was
found out. and his three dollars were
taken AWAY from him instanter; he, too,
was charged with contempt OF court
His case came up soon after the prelm.
inaries were over, and he was sentenced
by the Judge 10 walk the length OF the
corridor one hundred and three times
each day OF his confinement, besides
washing all the dishes used at dinner for
a week.
After all the trials W ere over, the con-
fiscated money was handed to the genu'
inc turnkey, with instructions that II be
invested i'm tobacco. Later in the day
the tobacco was brought into the jail
and equally divided among all the pris'
oners.
The next day /, with the other late ar
rivals. was initiated as member OF the
Kangaroo Court. Ii was very simple
proceeding. / had to promise that
would always do my share of the neces-
sary cleaning and washing, and also bt
honest and fair in Judging the cases
which might come up for trial.
Since then have had opportunities oi
studying other Kangaroo Courts, but
they have all been very much like the
one have just described. They are both
socislistic and autocratir, and at time:
they are very funny. But wherever they
are they command the respect of jail
birds, and II prisoner Insults the cour'
he Is punished very severely. Moreover
it avails him nothing TO complain to the
authorities. He has too many against
him, and the best thing he can do Is tt
become one of them as soon as possible
From "Club Life among Outcasts,
by Josiah Flynt, in Harper's Magazine
for April.