The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-09-08
DID NOT SEE THE PRISONER.
II Was Kindness That Kept Wife and
Children Out.

SLilui Su Outs
There il no question that warrant off,
GERS Isaiah Long and Edwin Jones know
more local criminals than any other two
men in the state. Their labors are con-
fined to the police and sixth District
court, and when asked as to the records
OF a particular criminal they can tell in
an instant when and how many times the
man has been s'sent over" and for what
cause.
Both have the outward appearance OF
being what some citizens would call
rough, but IL Is doubtful IL two better
natured men are connected with the
police department.
1t is not many days ago that a case
came under observation of representa-
tive OF The NEWS that perhaps will give
a good illustration of some of their do
ings. A well dressed lanoriug man had
been arrested for being drunk and was in
the police court fined S2 and costs,
the whole amounting to about s5.
Later In the day his wife, accom-
panied by two children, one five
and the other seven years old, called
at the Central station to see the
husband and father. The women and
children showed that although the head
o; the house wss locked up in cell he
had cared for his family. The woman
asked to see her husband, but was told
that she could not do so. She was ques-
toned as TO the habits OF her husband
and the warrant officer learned that the
husband was not a drinking man, out on
this occasion had met some friends from
out of town and drank TOO much. The
officer then went to the Gel! room and
asked the man few questions and he
found that the story OF the wife ana hus'
band compared and ms the State did not
care to punish men OF his character when
others might snIier, re was discharged.
After the woman had gone, (sbe did
not know that her husband had been dis
charged) HE News man asked why the
woman and children could not see the
prisoner. "well." said the warrant
officer, "that woman was well dressed,
so were the children. the man was appar-
emily good sort OF a fellow, and | tell
you 1t would have been no pleasant sisbt
for that family to see him in call. Just
think of The impression that would make
on that seven year old girl. No, sir-ree,
no child, as long as j have any
thing to do with this establishment,
shall SEQ Its father or mother.
When asked about his right to allow a
prisoner to 60 without consulting their
superior, he said, that in case OF a drunk
ne could use bis judgment, and those In
authority would uphold him.
Both men are particularly kind to un-
fortunate persons so long as they behave
themselves, but will show no mercy to
those who exhibit any signs of fight or
any disposition to escape. Messrs. Jones
and Long handle all persons who are ar
rested in the city, with the exception OF
those who are srraigned, and give bail,
hut as many know, no matter what state
law has been broken, the offender must
first be brought into the Sixth District
Court, and IL sentenced, or held for the
grand jury, the offender, IL he does not
secure bail, 10 taken to jail by either MIR.
Long or Jones. Mr.. Jones has been
warrant oiilcer for more than a quarter OF
a century, and Mr.. Long is but few
years his junior in the work..