Evening star., 1896-07-02
THE POLICE COURT
Bathers Caught Swimming In an Agrioul-
tural Grounds Lake
Other Cases of q More Serious Nature
Cases Caused by Indul-
4ence In Beer.

Daniel Smorhers and Sam Contee, colored
cart drivers, concluded that they would
take a bath when their carts were laid
of for the afternoon. They are not pros
Gus enough to live in houses with modern
improvements, and in the absence Of a bath
tub at home they started in the direction
of the riYer, intending to enjoy the water.
But before they reached the river front
their attention was attracted to lake in
the Agricultural grounds. The street and
shrubbery about the lake, they thought,
was dense enough to hide them from the
public road, and the water was 50 well
shaded that they thought there was no
danger Of a sun stroke.
There were some small boys in the lake
when they reached the attractive pool, and
by them they were assured that the police
would not trouble them. This was sufficient
guarantee for them. and so, taking off
their clothes they went in. Both men were
SplaShing about in the water and having a
good time when Policeman Brown saunter-
ed over there from the bathing beach, and
found the violators of the law.
But his appearance there did not frighten
the colOred men, who were certain that
they were rightfully there, but when he
called them out and told them that they
were violating the law they were apparent
ly sorry that they had not made them
selves scarce.
You boys are violating the law" the
officer Sid to them, land are under ar
rest"
For what?" inquired one Of the bathers.
It's against the law to be bathing in
the lake"
Then they were marched off to the sta
ton and locked up. and this morning they
marched into Judge Kimbalrs court as
members of the procession.
You young men should have known you
were doing wrong" said the court. There
were some boys here the other day for
this, and 1 let them go. but hereafter fines
will be imposed Why did you not go to
the bathing beach?'
"'Cause we didn't have no bathing suit"
was the response.
You don't have to have bathing suit,
the judge told them; "all that is necessary
is a shirt and pair of trousers
Then We'll go there next time.
You will have to pay 81 each.
Caused by Drink.
Peck Adams, colored, who is a familiar
character in court, was in the procession
because of his usual intemperance. He was
in his ash cart yesterday. and was so much
under the influence of liquor that he was
unable to control his animal.
I'm guilty, yo' honor" he said. "but If
you trust me, I'll pay you. l was doing
some sodding at the Chinese minister's yes
terday, and, Of course, when got through,
drank a little more beer than l had any
right to drink
''And you knew it was wrong?'
"Of course 1 did, but any working mans
liable to drink too much and fall down."
You are fined So" said the court, land
will have to go down unless the fine is
paid"
respectable member of society. was in the
tolls because he was found drunk and lying
on the sidewalk last night.
I'm guilty" he answered, when arraign-
ed on a charge of obstructing the sidewalk,
and went down in default of fine.
I've tried to REFORM said young col
ored man named Raymond Beckett, but
yesterday / got out with some fellows and
drank too much beer. 1 can't stand much,
anyhow"
The usual fine was imposed
Six colored women from the section Of
Georgetown called Boston" were in the
procession as vagrants. and Policemen
Maher and Harrison appeared as witnesses
against them.
They are members Of the "Growler Rush
ers' Society, but other than the fact that
they drink beer there was not much against
them.
Il saw one of the women get three cans
of beer within ten minutes time," said one
of the officers.
Lawyer Kicks thought it hardly necessary
to mike defense, but he called the wo-
men, and the court heard their statements
1t turned out that they are working wo-
men, and most of them are employed dur
ing the day, but they will drink after sun
down.
Now, your honor" said counsel, "fine
feathers may make fine birds, but beneath
tattered garments and distorted faces there
may be honest hearts. These people do get
buckets of beer but there are many poor
people who live on bread and beer, because
they are cheap. They can't buy soft crabs
and porterhouse steaks, but this does not
show that they are vagrants."
Judge kimball, commenting on beer drink
ing by women, said it was unfortunate that
the law even permitted them to enter sa-
looms. This kind of drinking, the Judge
told the women, is debasing to their sex
In conclusion he took their personal
bonds and released them.