The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-04-20
THE TENDERLOIN DISTRICT
Rnmors of Oppression Come From the
Demi- monde
About Some Much Needed
Reform


Stranglcd rumors of oppression frequent
ly drift down town on the i'll winds from
the vile quarter designated by its famil-
lars as the tenderloin district. and though
these rumors p rsistently and regularly
fly about and occasionally creep into the
newspapers, they are as generally denied
in toto by the police, so no credence IS
given to them by the good citizens who
do not defile themselves by a trip TO that
quarter For Cher Glass and his men
have kept a model reputation, then why
should they not be believed? 4.4
But there is either something radically
wrong with the guardians OF the peace,
or the chef has very dull sticks where he
should have his most tactful and reliable
patrolmen. These same rumors may ac-
count for the fact that the city constable
has seen fit to swear in an experienced
detective, familiar with the ways of those
people. to enter into a crusade against
the macs and blackmalers., s.4
Apropos of blackmailers, reporter. .
fellow with faith in the cops, who
disbelieved the tales, stroled down Also
street few DAYS ago, intending to dis
cover if there was any foundation for the
stories he had heard. His first call vas
enough, and lie did not care to delve
deeper. What he heard was also heard by
another man. and the two agreed. after
hearing the girls story, that it was a
shame that should be Investigated and
suppressed.
Turning into Alameda street, up to-
ward Ferguson alley and Marchcssau!t,
the first fairy" to be encountered was
one already notorious before the public.
The face of Marguerite Marmontel smiled
through the shutters, but as hers had
been an ''affaire du occur, .ather than
mercenary case of extortion, she was
another Partisan held forth.
Geneveve Amandini. born in the
Hautes Alpes in Moniteur de Briancon,
had been named after good Saint Gene
We've by her doting parents. and in honor
of the virgin snow her sister had been
named Blanche. They were both rail
roaded' by tourist y procurers to Paris,
and after an experience on the music hail
stages, from ther e had gone to Amei lea.
They led their usual life here and finally
drlfted down to the row. reporter en-
gagged Blanche in conversation and from
her heard the story, emphatically corroh-
Grated by her sister. Through her broken
English and picturesque French she tod
him how special policemen were continu-
ally bothering the women from Also
street to beyond Marchessault.
''These specials said she, was have
q star thees shape Indicating a drawing
of 6-pointed starr and on eet he have e
lettair lie ~. Mon Dieu! What man he
ees?''
But the reporter didn't know, though
he learned afterwards, and she related
how he had approached her for money for
his protection to give her immunity from
arrest at any time. This was refused and
then he wanted to be her ''macq' and
escort her home. This being Declined he
volunteered to compromise, and this be-
ing also refused he blockaded her from her
crib for two days, TIN eatening her with
arrest If she did not accede to all his de-
mands.
Finally she deficd him and with her
sister went back to her den. Then the
fellow resorted to violence and after his de-
were refused. he seized her by The arm
and threatened to kill them both. Then
the girl blew her police whistle shrilly and
the special grabbed her by the throat and
! jammed her up into a corner to strange
her. But the officer ran up and stopped
the row.
But he would not arrest re, speslieal,
when | make complain ~ said Genevieye,
''and l don't like that one Beet. But we
to our house, but he and some Of re other
of those spesheals work al along re row
and make money from re girls.
There is a quotation from somebody
from somewhere to the effect that imam
dressed in little brief authority maketh
himself an ass" and SO it seems with
these loose specials whom the chief doe
not seem able to control. But neverthe-
less great deal of extra tax money is
levied from the under class of this city.
Nfa1t Ci,,h n ell