The evening times., 1896-03-12

Representative James Sherman, of New
York, was a witness I'm Judge Miller's
police court this forenoon. He was there
to prosecute Nelson Lewis, alias Henry E.
Jones, an intelligent and seemingly-respect-
able middle-agcd man, who was charged
under the statutes with entering the Cap
itol building and grounds and soliciting
contributions from members OF Congress.
He was also charged with vagrancy. The
prisoner was arrested 10y Capitol Police
man Sinott, who was also in court TO
testify against him.
Congressman Sherman testified that
Lewis had called upon him and Represent
atives Chickering and Gillette, all OF New
York. at different times during the past
two days.
In each instance he gave a different name.
He told Mr.. Sherman he was from Green's
Corner. a town in his district. To Mr..
Chickering he claimed TO be a native of
Ithaca. while he also represented himself
to be from a town in Mr.. Gillettes baili-
wick.
TOLD A HARD LUCK STORY.
He told me hard luck story" said Mr..
Sherman. nd claimed that he had been
South and was trying to reach home in
New York State. i gave him 81 and when
returned To the floor of the House and
discovered that he had been to see Messrs.
ChiokeriDg and Gillette and had given each
OF them a different name. We went out and
confronted the man. Then the Capitol po-
liccman came alcng and arrested him."
Mr.. sherman added that he did not mind
giving Lewis the So, and would do as much
for any man in distress, without regard to
whether he came from New York or Alaska.
He appeared to prosecute the defendant
because he had given bogus names. told
falsehoods and made misrepresentation.
You are frequently annoyed by such
callers. are you not7'' asked Judge Miller
We are" replied the New York Con-
gresham. I'VE are called out into the
corridors every little while by aims seekers.
They are the most frequent visitors some
members have
The prisoner took the witness stand. He
claimed to he 4 respectable man in hard luck.
and his general appearance and tone were
certainly in his favor.
Il have n married daughter at Ithaca"
he said. land several brothers living in
Congressman Sherman. Gillette and Chick
cring's districts. I mentioned to each
gentleman the names of prominent citizens
al their homes. 1 know those people.
They We're my friends in prosperity"
POOR. But A GENTLEMAN.
Are you a drinking man, asked the
court.
NO, your honor. / never took drink
of intoxicating liquor in my life. l am
poor; very poor, but a gentleman still.
Poverty has not driven me to crime yet"
What induced you to give fictitious
names to the gentlemen you called upon"
Pride, sir. have been living on dry
bread since my arrival here, two weeks
ago from Atlanta, Ga, and was making an
honest effort to get along. 1 asked the
Congressman for money to pay my fare
home to New York State. where I was
born. II you will release me, your honor.
/ will leave town in an hour. In spite Of
the snow and slush will walk"
NO" said his honor. IF 1 released
you there would be other fellows follow
ing in your foorstcps. These gentlemen
atthe Capito lare in the publicservioe. They
are frequently importuncd for money and
sometimes threatened. 1t is necessary
that they be protected. You have violated
the law and must pay fine of $50 or go
to Jail for thirty days"
Being without cash Lewis went down.