Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-31
W o MEN IN CURT
The Division Was Well Represented Before
the Judge
How the Court Intends to Treat All
Such Cases-Considers Them
All Migrants.

Seven women, who were taken froms the
gilded palaces of shame in the division"
or the broken-down shanties on Canal
street. in South Washington, were prison.
ers in the Police Court today, and Judge
kimball heard the evidence Of several
policemen to show that they are women
of evil life and fame Those who had
been arrested in the ''Divisicn" were locked
Up because OF some act which was in vio-
lation of law or which incurred the dis
pleasure of the police. The inmates of
these houses, like the women who conduct
them, are permitted to live in the disrepu-
table section and violate the law without
molestation until there is some reason for
complaint.
In the first case called the prisoner, a
quiet-looking colored girl, named Ida d.
Lyons. was defendant: She is an inmate
of house known as Mahogany Hail." so
the police told the court.
Yesterday she was on a drunk and
amused herself by smashing crockery
ware When the police We're called the
young woman was warned that she would
be arrested if she did not stop. She re-
sumed her boisterous conduct, and was
locked up.
, was not put on the stand. He made an
earnest plea for her and asked that the
court release her on her personal bonds.
Your honor has it in your power to send
this woman out where she will have an op-
Portunity to mend her ways and leave
this life" said counsel, 'or you have it in
your power to require her to give bond,
which will give her an idea that she has
the right to return to this den of vice"
That's very well to talk about" remark
ed the court but putting it in practice
is another thing. These women when ar
rested usually express sorrow and say they
are willing to do almost anything that will
hberate them. If these women and girls
satisfy the court that they have an honest
intention to leave this miserable existence
certainly no one will give them Godspeed
sooner than the court
This miserable business Is going so fai
to undermine the health of future genera
lions that all persons engaged in it should
leave 1t. Something ought to be DONE but
just how to manage it l don't know. There
Is In the city home, the Crittenden HOME,
where a helping hand is always extended
TO the unfortunate women who express a
desire to leave the disreputable houses and
re-establsh their names in the community
1t is grand institution, and one which
should be supported by all fathers and
mothers who want their homes and the
homes Of others protected"
But, said counsel, Its hard thing for
tEese women to get out of the clutches of
the women who conduct these houses.
Ihese women offer every Involvement 10
these young women to enter the houses
and when they once enter upon this life 1t
is hard for them to leave"
Not many days ago." resumed the court
Il turned over to the home two girls, who
remained there short while and then left
They made all sorts of promises, but soon
they left and probably returned to their old
haunts. AS l said before. feel deeply for
the future generation, and shall hold tina:
all the inmates of houses of nl-fame come
within the provisions of the vagrancy law
She was sentenced to give real estate Sc
curity in the sum of 500 or go down for
thirty days. ~. ...-