Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-28
Decision in the Gas. Of "willis"
Gilmore # the Division.
PLEAS MADE RR HHE DEFENDANT
Comment. of4thy Judg. About
Some oFftioAs Advisers.
N, O M O. + e FL N E S

The Division received a blow at the
hands Of Judge Miller today which will no
doubt have very depressing effect on the
women who conduct houses there.
They must all go to Jail for periods COM
mensurate with their offenses, when they
are arrested and convicted
II have made up my mind that Jail SEN
fences will be imposed in these cases." said
the judge, "and the length of time will de-
rend upon the circumstances in the par
ticular case"
This question came up in the disposition
Of the case Of Willie Gilmore, whose
house, at 18th and streets, was raided
two weeks ago.
willie" was very nervous and excited
when she appeared in court and was as
sisted inside the rail, where she sat trem-
bling while her attorneys and the judge
did the talking.
Lawyers johnson and Forrest set up a
plea Of illness. and in support of this
DR.. II. l.. e. Johnson, specialist, was
called, and he told of her condition. He
thought her confinement in jail would re-
suit in her not getting the careful and
close observation she needed ard 1t might
tend to undermine her general physical
condition. 1t would also have decided
effect, he said, on her nervous system.
In this connection Mr.. Forrest recalled
the occasion of her arrest, when a cab
had to be called to take her to the station.
Lawyer Johnson in his plea for the wo-
man called attention to ner physical con-
dition, and said that the charge Of keeping
a bawdy house was preferred against her
only to justify an arrest made because
liquor selling was suspected.
Miss Gill; ore. he said, had concluded to
quit the business and leave the Division"
entirely, al d he thought that the taking
Of her personal bords would do no BARN to
anybody. Should the court not find its
way clear to pursue such course small
fine might be imposed.
He spoke of the fact that these houses
have been permitted to exist. and his col
league. Mr.. Forrest. said that raids for
liquor selling had been made annually.
there was disorder robbery or some other
violation Of law than that of keeping the
houses.
"Since this prosecution started he said,
shows that the police have no intention of
breaking up this section. There is no rea-
son why this woman should be selected
from ali of them and punished"
In conclusion he said he thought 1t was
no more than fair that her personal bonds
should Re taken. -"
Position Of the Government.
"What has the government to say?" asked
the court
Ahc aHS"eIeu MI hul-
lowry, has the fullest confidence in the
judgment of the court and will be perfectly
satisfied with what eyer disposition the court
makes of the case"
This matter" said the judge, has as
stunned an aspect not usually found in cases
of this kind"
The court spoke of the cases of this kind
that are brought from time to time. and
said that If these houses were permitted to
exist with the tacit consent of the authori-
ties 1t was matter about which the court
knows nothing, and which does not enter in
the consideration Of the case.
1.-The court has nothing to do with the
question of what is best to do with the
Division whether 1t Il best to confine
these house within specified limits or to
expand their field of operation, or break
them up entirely. The court has to deal
with them only as violators of law, and to
infict such punishment as will prevent q
repetition Of the violation and deter 9TH
erS."
The court then referred to the evidence
given by the women found in the house
ard while he was not going to allow their
evidence to initiate against the defendant
he could not wholly ignore it.
Their evidence" the judge said. SHOW
ed condition Of depravity that Is seldom
exhibited in court Of justice. IF this Il
this shameful. disregard of the obligation
of an oath, then these houses have a de-
pressing effect in ways affecting not mere
~ the chastity Of the women. 1t shows Q
frtghtful state of affairs, this evidence. Of
the influence these houses have on the gen
efaf morals Of the women"
Letters to the Judge. NO. isa-
Judge Miller then told of letters he hat
received from different persons since tn,
finding Of the jury in the case.
Some Of them were anonymous" h
said, land some Of the writer's had tn
courage to sign their Names Some wer,
couched in language which Is impertinent
and ncne OF them deserve notice. Thu
anonymous letters showed that tho writer
lacked courage, and those who signed then
showed lack Of common sense. And
want 1t distinctly UNDERWOOD that thes
letters, which represented both sides O
the question, haG no effect whatever o,
the court"
In concluding his remarks. the judge re
Peated; that these cases will be disposed O
as all other cases involving violations O
law. He had concluded 10 impose jail sen
fences IN these cases, and had determine,
upon the sentence in this particular cage
but he could not ignore the evidence con
corning her physical condition The wo
man had been SHINING against the law am
she knew 1t. She was violating the fav
Tor money, the same as gamblers. an,
fines-money fines-amount to nothins; NOR
power of the court.
The court has concluded to impose iai
sentences which will be effective. and i,
this case the defendant will have to q,
to Jail for twenty days and pay a fine q
$50 or thirty days.
Upon announcing the sentence, the 1udp,
said that he had taken off ten days be
cause of the physical condition of the de-
PENDANT. e "'
Counsel, apparently very much surprised
mat jail sentence had been imposed, en-
deavored to argue with the court for tn,
purpose OF having a change made. but tn,
court was satisfied that the sentence wa.
a proper one, and declined to change it.
When the woman fully realized that sh,
would have to go to tail she became hys
partment was called in to attend her.
Under his treatment, she soon got better
but Judge Miller, fearing she was ill. dii
rected that: her attending physician, Dr.
johnson, be sent for, az it might be neces
sary for her to be sent 70 the hospital
AFFAIRS III GIoRGErowN.
A m., Ar-....G o1 +, u