Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-16
DEFINING DRUNKENNESS.
Judge kimbaII Gives His Views +
the Police COurt

the Police Court.
Warm weather and intoxicating LIQUORS
do not mix well, and this week the number
of DRINKS locked up has largely increased
Those who are not fortunate enough to be
released in the morning. but who are taken
TO the Police Court have all kinds of ex-
cuses TO make. Many Of them are afflicted
with the spring fever. and in order to re-
Heve themselves of that tired feeling they
drink rum and then become so tired that
they fall down.
Edward johnson, young colored man,
was in the tolls this morning, and in his
case the court took occasion to make some
remarks about the use and effects of strong
drink.
Johnson. according to the proof, has been
drunk four times within the past week
and the police objected to his lettering in
bar rooms. When he Is not at work. the
ofncers said, he is usually in some bar
room or somewhere under the influence of
liquor.
Il don't get drunk so often" the prisoner
said. I'm hard-working man. During
the winter months l shuck oysters, and in
the summer l work for the ice company
But said the court, what about your
drinking and getting drunk?'
II wasn't drunk last night" he answered.
and he told me l could go in a saloon and
get drink. and then keep on going"
II you go In too many Saloons" the
court told him. you will not keep on 60
ing. but will fall in the gutter"
Judge, your honor" said the prisoner.
I'm sick man, and can't drink much
I'm afflicted with kind of sleepy disease,
and the doctor has been treating me-"
The question of when man is drunk
came up, and Judge Kimball said he knew
of no legal definition of drunkenness.
Il have always thought of the effects of
liquor" the judge said. land it is my idea
flly. ole,
man drunk, he is one-tenth drunk when
he drinks one glass. 1t is my idea that a
man Is drunk when he has lost in whole or
In part his powers of control If he takes
up the entire sidewalk, his tongue gets
thick, and he curses and swears. a thing
which he would not do if he had not taken
the liquor-he is drunk. For a man to he
drunk, 1t is not necessary for him to fall
in the gut er."
Mrs. Virginia Thomas, one of Johnson's
neighbors, was called in his defense and
counsel inquired of her what was his nor
NAL condition.
Hes sometimes drunk and sometimes
SOBER" she answered.
Counsel then claimed that the District
had failed to make out case, and argued
that the facts shown did not render the
prisoner liable under the vagrancy law.
Judge kimball, speaking of the law said
1t covered many acts. including habitual
drunkenness. A man who gets drunk once,
the judge said. would not be liable, but
when he gets drunk several times within
few days he is liable man who is con-
stantly lettering about bar rooms certainly
comes within the provisions of the act
Every man, the judge says, owes a duty to
the community, and living about drinking
saloons is not one of these duties. It is not
necessary that he should get drunk In
order to become amenable to the law. He
may be peaceable and orderly, and yet, if
he selects bar rooms as lettering places,
and associates with persons of evil life, he
is liable to prosecution under section of
the vagrancy law.
Johnson was given fifteen days on the
farm, in default of security.