Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-22
T RIA MPS PLENTIF Full
Vagrancy the Chief Charge in the Police
Court
Fines Fail OR-Bad Sanitary Condi-
lions in the Cells-Rules Against
Smoking Tobacco.

Court has not been SO brisk, and had 1t not
been for the several raids made on the
tramps there would not have been work
enough for one Judge. There has been a
decided falling off in the amount of money
paid in fines, and Officer Williams, who
acts as cashier, thinks that the court Will
have to make an assignment and reorgan-
ize in order to be put on paying basis.
This morning there were twenty-six pris-
oners in the cells, and the men employed
about the court, as well as some Of the
early morning lawyers, discussed their
treatment and the effect of the court rules
on them.
"Parson" Hughes, the janitor, had the
cells all newly whitewashed and scrubbed
for the reception of the victims of the po-
Ice, and he told of how the prisoners go
out of their way to put the walls and floor
in a filthy condition.
The anti-smoking rule of Judge Kimball
was discussed. The judge Is opposed to
the use of tobacco in any shape, and Is
especially opposed to smoking. Frequently
when he reaches court in the morning he
has a complaint to make against the fumes
of tobacco, but those who come in direct
contact with the prisoners think that the
tobacco smoke has the effect of purifying
the atmosphere and acts as disinfectant.
All the smokers about the court could not
SeBd through the cells this morning a cloud
of smoke sufficient to kill the impurities,
and one of the parties ventured the remark
that man who could remain in the cell
room without using tobacco would have to
have an iron stomach.
Procession Started.
When court convened and the procession
started, Tom Kellar was in the lead, and
Clerk Harper read to him a charge of
vagrancy.
Found drunk and begging on Pennsyl-
vania avenue" read the clerk. Are you
guilty or not guilty?''
Guilty" he replied.
What was he doing?"
Il drove him away from the National
Theater," said Policeman Oriani,. because
he was begging. and later l saw him in a
drug store begging a stamp"
This man was here not long ago. re-
marked the court. Thirty days"
Frank Davis, alias Blue Dick" and AL
bert Butler, Georgetown colored boys,
the officer claiming that they were en-
gagged in a fight
How could he see us fighting in the
dark?" one of the prisoners asked.
They denied the charge. but the court
held them guilty, and sent them down in
default of fine.
Fred. Mason, young man. who has been
employed here for about two weeks, but
who is now out of employment, was in the
tolls as a vagrant, because he has slept in
the lodging house and police stations for
several nights. 49,
Il am now going away" he said, eff your
honor will give me chance"
You may have the chance"
John Maloney, who is known in Swan
poodle as Jackie" appeared next on a
charge of disorderly, and after some hesita-
ton he plead guilty and reserved the right
to make a statement. '-N' ......
You spend more than half your time on
the farm" the judge said. What do you
want to say now?' ...,.,
IF ron it wasn't nj h for rum said Mal0ney
That's the trouble with so many men,
remarked the court
But it's a good mans falling said Ma
loney; 1.-The best men in the country get
drunk
NO, they DON'T" said the Judge.
Yes, they do, insisted the man, who re-
ferred to himself as one of the good citi-
zens, land 1 know it,"
The usual fine was imposed, and Jackie
went down.
Out of His Place.
| white linen and neat appearance showed
that he was out of his proper place, was
in the procession of vagaDonds and dis
orderly persons. His name was given as
Henry Douglass, and it was charged that hs
was found begging on the street.
"Tn admit that / asked for assistance
he said, but it was case CT necessity
I'm a stenographer, and am mere looking
| for work. Since l reached here ;evera
| days ago I've been stopping at a cheaI
| lodging house, but yesterday my finance:
gave out and l had to ask for assistance
| He told the judge that his home is II
California, but he came here from Buffalo
| where he worked all the summer
! Judge Kimball told him that he must no
beg here, as it is against the law. He wa:
| told that he had better go to the mission
| and lodging house. .rl 90 80 IS
1 he Sad
| Tom Cole, stranger, made denial D
the charge of vagrancy against him.
This is the first time l was ever caugh
| cumming the town. he said.
| And your language the judge said
| "convinces me that you are tramp
| I'm on my way to Richmond looking TO
work. said the man.
| And" added the judge, you may g.
after you serve five days"
| Other Cases.
| Charles Miller, James Ripley, Joh1
Bailey, Thomas Welsh and VIM. Thomas
who called at police station for lodging
were "vagged.''
They have beer here several days AM
| have no means of support was the com
plant.
The men said they had been at the mis-
| sion several times, and one of them ha
| badly injured eye.
He was released to go to the hospita
and two of his companions were release
| upon q promise to leave the city.
| Bailey and Thomas were sent down TO
five days.
George Washington, colored, charge
| with habitual drunkenness, proved that h
was innocent and was released.
Samuel Beasley, a young man. who ha
| wife and young child, was in the toll
on Policeman Schneider's complaint.
| Last night Beasley was drunk and re
fused to keep quiet when warned.
When Judge Kimball fined him S. h
asked for time to pay his fine.
My wife and children have to Deepen
on me-" he said, land l scarcely ear
enough to support them"
The court took his request under advise
ment.