The evening times., 1896-04-16
PARTIALLY PAID PENAL TIES
"Consolenosles 4 Bulnd" in the Safe
at the MssrsHhhal's sHh effics.
Delinquent. AreU fGalce Court pri.-
eners Who Hay2 Been Allowed
Time { e 'ifpy iifpy Up.

Ifx.H
There is a fund tH9tU. marshaTs big safe
at the city hall whieh viii vie, in the unique
ness OF its charactef, with the famous .'con-
ury. Itis known al tic, unpaid fine fund.-"
and not penny OF it can be expended or
covered into the Treasury without a special
act of Congress.
This financial oddity is the result of the
practice Of giving police court prisoners
time in which to raise a lacking portion
Of the fines imposed upon them. The fund
is now said to amount to between $T0O and
$500, and is gradually creeping up to the
81 900 mark. This money was all sent to
Marshal Wilson from Judge Mier's branch
of the police court and credited to partially
paid fines. 1t is accumulated from time to
time in this ma uner:
A prisoner is brought before the court
charged with assault or petty theft. He
is convicted and fined $40 or thirty days
in jail in default. The man has S5 or Sc
in his pockets and pleads with his honor
to be allowed to 20 out among his friends
and raise the balance. He tells a pathetic
story and his personal bonds are accepted
to come back in a given time and pay the
remainder OF the fine. The amount he has
with him is handed over to Deputy Marshal
Van H. Mccormick, and. the pris oner
scurries away from the court, a free man.
The deputy marshal enters on the margin
of the information the amount he has re-
ceivcd from the defendant and the time he
is supposed to settle up the balance. The
money is then sent with the other fines
collected to be placed in the marshars
safe.
The fines paid in full can be covered into
the Treasury at any time Marshal Wilson
may choose, but those only partially paid
remain on his hands as sort of financial
elephant, forever. or until a special act Of
Congress is passed remitting the unpaid
balances. There is no other way in which
this queer collection OF money can be dis
posed OF under the law.
The dishonest defendant In the meantime
is looked for by the police. They are noti-
fled that John Doe was given until such a
day to pay balance OF 81 or So on his
fine and has failed to do SO. If Doe is cap
tured. the iUstallment he paid on his fine is
handed back 10 him by the deputy marshal
and he is compelled TO serve the default in
Jail. In order to arrest the delinquent the
police must have charge against him. He
cannot be rearrcsted on the original COM
plaint so when takeniuto custodytbe charge
entered opposite his name is Contempt
OF court and Judge Miller's name is also
entered as complainant His honor has the
power to add a term Of Imprisonment for
contempt to punish the fellow for his de-
ceprion. but he rarely does So. The court
officials think II lie did there would be
fe wer delinquents todeai With. and the ''un-
paid fine fund.- would not increase So rap
idly.
In order to keep up with the police court
credit system. Deputy Marshal Mccormick
has to keep a separate book. in which is re-
corded the partially paid penalties. Some
of the defendants will never be captured.
and their cases will remain incomplete on
the records for all time. unless Congress
sional action is taken in the premises.
1.-The difference between the unpaid-fiDe
fund and the Treasury fund.- said police
court attache 'is that one is a conscience
fund, while ours is 4 conscienceless fund